New Mexico Football: Lobos defeat Nevada Wolfpack 24-22 in Week 8

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The University of New Mexico Lobos (4-3, 1-2) defeated the visiting Nevada Wolfpack (1-6, 0-3) in a Mountain West college football showdown at University Stadium Oct. 18.  The final: UNM 24, Nevada 22.

“A lot of great things to see … a lot of things to build on,” UNM head coach Jason Eck said. after the game.

It came right down to the wire, but in the end it was the Lobos who snapped their two-game losing streak, and notched their first conference win. On the other hand, the Wolfpack have dropped five-straight including three Mountain West games. 

New Mexico Lobos vs. Nevada Wolfpack College Football Recap

The game began with a Lobos 16-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. The possession was capped off by a two-yard touchdown by running back D.J. McKinney. McKinney finished the night with two scores, 43 receiving yards, and 40 rushing yards. The Lobos had a total of 210 rushing yards compared to Nevada’s 55 net rushing yards.

“It was always like, kind of like, water in the soil, just trusting the process. Tonight it worked out,” McKinney said of the Lobo running game finding rhyme after struggling for a couple of weeks.

First Half Success

The Lobos also did a good job of minimizing the impact of Nevada EDGE Dylan Labarbera, who was the nation leader in tackles for loss, and held a 90.3 pass rush grade, per PFF. Labarbera did not log a sack, TFL or a quarterback hurry.

After the UNM touchdown, the Lobos defense forced a quick three-and-out. The drive included a quarterback hurry from EDGE Brett Karhu, who finished the game with a sack, and two tackles for loss. However, a muffed punt by New Mexico returner Shawn Miller sent the Lobos defense back on the field. On the short field, the Lobos were able to force another three-and-out. In the end, the miscue only cost them a field goal.

The Lobos offense cooked again, and marched 90 yards down the field. With one yard to go, UNM running back Scottre Humphrey bruised through bodies for his fifth touchdown of the year.

At the tail end of the half, the Lobos offense found themselves back on the field with less than two minutes. On a Damon Bankston run to the right, Nevada linebacker EJ Smith shook the ball loose, and the ball was recovered by Nevada safety Bishop Turner.

The Wolfpack were able to cash in on the extra possession thanks to running back Caleb Ramseur. The back took the rock up the middle for a three-yard touchdown. In a half dominated by the Lobos, the home team only found themselves up 14-12. 

A Close Second Half

During the first possession of the second half, Nevada went for a fourth down while on their own 32-yard line. Making the fourth down stop for the Lobos were Keyshawn James-Newby and Xavier Slayton. The Lobos were gifted with the ball inside Nevada territory, and scored on the short field courtesy of a 22-yard run by McKinney. 

Yet just as the Lobos began to pull away, Nevada freshman quarterback Carter Jones began to find his groove. 

Jones orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive where he went six-for-six on throws. The long possession was capped off by another Ramseur touchdown from four-yards out.

On the ensuing possession, UNM quarterback Jack Layne would respond with a 54-yard run that set up the Lobos for a field goal. Layne led the Lobos in rushing yards with 81 on the day, and the 54-yard run was the longest of his career.

“I’ve never seen Jack run so fast,” McKinney said with a smile on his face. 

Nevada’s Jones looked to have settled in, connecting with quarterback-turned-receiver Chubba Purdy for an 11-yard gain. Then, he found receiver Dakota Thomas for a 22-yard chunk play. However, the Wolfpack just could not get the run game going. The UNM defense would hold firm thanks to the sure tackling of linebackers Jaxton Eck and Mercury Swaim who made a nice tandem.

“The gameplan is always to stop the run, make the team one-dimensional,” Swaim said of the Lobo defense that held Nevada to 55 rushing yards. 

Swaim made his first start, and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and four total tackles. Eck logged 11 total tackles, and had a crucial pass breakup. 

“It was awesome. I’ll give thanks for Coach [Eck] for giving me the opportunity, and just my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Swaim said of making his first start. “All your hard work coming into fruition, being able to play, contributing to the team how I feel as though I can.”

The Lobos responded with a nice drive that saw the effectiveness of backup quarterback James Laubstein’s legs. Laubstein was used in a handful of packages throughout the game, and he finished the game with 26 rushing yards on four carries.

A Close Call

Unfortunately, UNM kicker Luke Drzewiecki missed a 34-yard field goal, and it marked the first kick he had missed all year. That opened the door for Nevada to potentially take the lead. However, a stingy Lobos defense put an end to any comeback. UNM defensive back Drew Speech had a big pass breakup on third down, and on fourth, Jones threw an incompletion while trying to hit Thomas.

“Really nice stand by the defense after we missed that field goal,” Eck said.

After the turnover on downs, the Lobos offense would seal the win by running out the clock. Getting the game winning first down for the Lobos was Humphrey who gained two yards on a fourth and one. 

What’s Next?

For their next matchup, the Nevada Wolfpack will head home for a date with the Boise State Broncos (5-2) who knocked off a previously undefeated UNLV team (6-1). 

The UNM Lobos will prepare for a matchup with Utah State (4-3) Oct. 25. The game will mark the first time that former UNM football head coach Bronco Mendenhall returns to University Stadium since leaving for head coaching position at Utah State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.