The University of New Mexico had sanctions dropped on them by the NCAA due to major rules violations involving academic fraud that took place in 2004-05. The sanctions came down during the Rocky Long tenure and new head coach Mike Locksley inherits the penalties. The penalites are harsh in the form of scholarship losses in the amount of 85 to 80 through the 2011 season.
That amount of scholarships is only five, but when you are a mid level team and not in a power conference every scholarship is important. This past year New Mexico was cautious and signed only 20, because any more would have gone over their 80 scholarship limit. The effect of the loss of scholarships most likely will not be felt in 2009 or 2010 but in the 2011 season when those classes with scholarship reduction are upper classmen.
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