ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The University of New Mexico Lobos (5-3, 2-2) played the Utah State Aggies (4-4, 2-2) at University Stadium Oct. 25, and it was a dominant performance from the Lobos as they led for the entirety of the game. In the end, New Mexico won the football game, 33-14 over the Aggies.
“I thought it was a really good win. I thought all three phases did a lot of great things in the game,” UNM head coach Jason Eck said, who is now 20-5 in daytime games.
New Mexico Football: Mendenhall Returns to Face Lobos
However, for the UNM fans, this matchup was more than a Mountain West showdown, and it marked the return of former Lobos head coach Bronco Mendenhall to University Stadium.
“It was important not only for the community but for the whole state of New Mexico,” UNM superfan Erik Lovato said of the Lobos’ victory. “It’s a great time to be a Lobo.”
Mendenhall served as the UNM head coach for the 2024-25 football season but left for the Utah State head coaching gig Dec. 6, 2024.
During the midweek press conferences for each team, Mendenhall and Eck downplayed Mendenhall’s return. Both mentioning that a majority of players and coaches from last year’s roster are no longer on the team.
“This is my first time in Albuquerque, the fact that it was during the Bronco Mendenhall revenge game. We were able to come out and just give him the old BTA,” famous social media influencer “itz_tdubs” said, who is also a UNM fan.
Nonetheless, the Lobos came out playing some inspired football, and threw some haymakers early.
New Mexico Strikes Early
On UNM running back D.J. McKinney’s first punt return of his career, McKinney scored a 46-yard touchdown.
“D.J. Mckinney he’s a ball player, he’s a gamer. First time, he’s been back there in college, for a punt return, he takes it to the house,” Coach Eck said.
On the ensuing possession, Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes threw an interception, and making the play was Lobo safety C.J. McBean. Barnes has only thrown three interceptions on the year.
The Lobos defense finished the game with three sacks, seven tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and limited Barnes to 164 passing yards. Logging sacks for UNM were EDGE Darren Agu (1), linebacker Mercury Swaim (1), and defensive tackle Okiki Olorunfunmi (1).
“I got a lot of respect for that quarterback so to, you know, sack him three times, pick him off [was incredible by our defense],” Coach Eck said of Barnes who has 21 total touchdowns to his name thus far.
The Lobos would capitalize on the Barnes pick, and cash in on a one-yard rushing touchdown from McKinney. For the second straight week, McKinney has scored two touchdowns.
The Lobo fireworks would continue as linebacker Jaxton Eck tackled Aggie running back Noah White in the endzone for a safety. A play before the safety, UNM punter Daniel Hughes pinned the Utah State offense on their own one yard line.
“We kind of thought they might sneak it but then they had like two-wings. Normally, when they sneak it, they’ll have guys behind them like a ‘tush push.’ So, two wings, I just stayed high in case they tried to run a sweep. And they ended up trying to do a sweep to the edge,” Eck said.
Eck continues to add on to his stellar season that has him as one of the top tacklers in the nation. On the day, Eck had seven total tackles, a quarterback hurry, and two tackles for loss including the safety.
“I thought our d-line did a great job all day. I felt like he [Barnes] was not comfortable back there, and that’s a testament to how well the d-line was playing,” Eck said.
Utah State Fights Back
Down 19, Utah State running back Miles Davis would try to revitalize his team with a 64-yard touchdown run. Davis, the Utah State leader in rushing yards, finished the game with 110 rushing yards, and the score.
With a few minutes left to go before the end of the half, UNM quarterback Jack Layne would connect with tight end Cade Keith on a 40-yard touchdown pass.
“When I watched the clip on the sideline, Dorian Thomas played with great effort, and made a great block,” Keith said. “And then, D.J. McKinney was in front of me and made another huge block on that play. So, just a huge credit to those two guys, “ Keith said.
Keith had a career day, and exploded for seven catches, 104 yards, and one touchdown. Prior to the Utah State game, Keith had 74 yards on 10 catches.
“All glory to my lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” Keith said on his career day.
At the half, UNM had a commanding lead of 26-7. However, third quarter was a stalemate, and both squads did not put up any points.
In the fourth, Utah State found some life on a seven play, 87-yard drive that ended with Barnes hitting receiver Braden Pegan on a slant for a 13-yard touchdown. The touchdown snag was Pegan’s fifth score of the year, and he had 108 receiving yards.
Lobos Call Game
On the ensuing possession, Coach Eck would ice the game.
While backed up at the UNM 34-yard line, the Lobos offense faced a fourth and one. UNM called a fake punt, and running back Deshaun Buchanan rushed for a 14-yard gain and the first down. On the play, it looked like Buchanan might be tackled for a loss but a quick cut towards the inside got him space.
A few plays later, the gutsy call by UNM led to a 41-yard Damon Bankston rushing touchdown, sealing the win for the Lobos.
UNM finished the day with 224 rushing yards, and 49 yards came from quarterback James Laubstein who has become a “Taysom Hill-esqe” type of player for the offense.
“I loved the way we finished the game running the ball. There’s a time in the third quarter where we only had about 100 rushing yards but that’s how you finish games when you have the lead, you pound on them a little bit,” Coach Eck said.
As the clock approached zero, the stadium began chanting, “Thank you, Eck!”
The Lobos are 4-0 at home for the first time since the 1960s, and are one game away from bowl eligibility.
“Especially on defense, it’s awesome to play at home. We kind of feed off the crowd’s energy. They get loud on those big plays,” Eck said.
What’s Next?
The next matchup for the Lobos will come on the road against UNLV (6-1) at Allegiant Stadium Nov. 1. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., and will have huge implications for the Mountain West standings.
As for Utah State, they will have a bye, and be back home in Logan, Utah Nov. 8 for a Mountain West matchup with the Nevada Wolfpack (1-7).
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