LAS VEGAS, NV — The New Mexico Lobos (6-3, 3-2) traveled to Allegiant Stadium to face off against the UNLV Rebels (6-2, 2-2) in a crucial Mountain West college football matchup. It was a contest that could have huge implications for the looming conference championship game. The game in Vegas was an instant classic. In the end, it was the Lobos who beat the house, 40-35.
New Mexico Football: Lobos Upset Rebels
“Yeah, that was emotionally exhausting,” UNM head coach Jason Eck said after the game. “I’m glad we have a bye week. We’re still learning. I think our kids just thought they won a super bowl the way they are celebrating which I’m happy for them.”
Fast First Half
The first quarter belonged to the Lobos, and UNM edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby came out flying. The Rebels first drive took them 61 yards. Yet on a fourth down, James-Newby forced a quick pass that was incomplete. On the day, James-Newby logged a sack, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hurries. The defensive stand was enough to light a fire in the Lobos offense that scored 21 unanswered points.
The first touchdown was a 30-yard reception by UNM running back Damon Bankston from quarterback Jack Layne, who hit his speedy back on a wheel route. On the ensuing possession, UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas put the ball on the ground that was recovered by UNM defensive tackle Brian Booker. It was the first fumble recovered by the Lobos defense all year.
The offensive surge continued for the Lobos as quarterback James Laubstein dashed for a 58-yard run. The drive was capped by a 12-yard touchdown catch from tight end Simon Mapa (thrown by Laubstein). Laubstein was the Lobos leading rusher on the day with 99 yards.
Before the Rebels knew it, the Lobos offense was back on the field, and Layne connected with Bankston again for an 84-yard touchdown. With 12:43 left to go in the second quarter, the Rebels were down 21-0. Luckily, the Rebels possess a talented offense led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea.
Rebels Come Back
Colandrea commanded the Rebels on a nine play, 82-yard drive that ended with a DaeDae Reynolds seven-yard touchdown catch. UNLV would orchestrate another brilliant drive that went 69 yards in the span of three minutes and 29 seconds. This drive was capped with a five-yard redzone punch by running back Keyvone Lee.
On the ensuing possession, Rebels evened things out as defensive back Quandarius Keyes picked off a Jack Layne pass, and took it 25 yards to the house. Dan Mullen’s Rebels overcame three possessions as the second quarter began to wind down.
Yet despite the interception, Layne continued to dial up dimes to his targets. He connected with receiver Keagan Johnson for an 80-yard touchdown, Layne’s second 80-yard plus touchdown of the day. Johnson finished the game with six catches, and 158 yards.
In the middle of the third, the Rebels were down 34 to 21. However, Colandrea was able to drop a bucket pass to tight end Var’Keyes Gumms who broke the plane for a 27-yard touchdown. Colandrea came out hot again, and on a short field, he threw his third touchdown of the night to tight end Nick Elksnis (14-yard score). The touchdown would give the Rebels their first lead of the day with less than seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Lobos Finish the Job
The Lobos offense began their drive on their own 25-yard line. On a 3rd-and-12, Layne threw a clutch pass to Johnson for 19 yards, but more importantly, a first down. A few plays later, Layne came back to Johnson who made a great contested catch along the sideline for 25 yards.
“He puts that trust in me, and I don’t want to let him down,” Johnson said of Layne targeting him on the game-winning possession.
The Lobos marched inside the Rebels 20-yard line, and running back D.J. McKinney scored on a 13-yard scamper. McKinney’s score would give the Lobos the lead with three and half minutes left in the game. The Lobos attempted a two-point play but failed.
On the next possession, the Lobos defense would force a turnover on downs. The fourth down play was a pass to receiver Koy Moore, and credited with the pass breakup was UNM safety Tavian Combs.
However, the game wasn’t over just yet. The Lobos offense went three-and-out, and left 54 seconds on the clock just enough for some late-game heroics.
UNM Lobos punter Daniel Hughes, who was recently added to the Ray Guy Award Watchlist, pinned the Rebels on the one-yard line (catching the Hughes punt was McKinney). It was Hughes third time pinning the Rebels inside the 20.
“I think our d-line was fired up because they got to pin their ears back and go rush,” UNM linebacker Jaxton Eck said of the defensive mentality with UNLV starting on the one-yard line. Eck had another stellar day recording 13 total tackles.
The Rebels offense struggled to gain chunk plays, and Colandrea clearly felt the pressure from UNM’s relentless pass rushers. On the drive, Colandrea was sacked by James-Newby and another play was chased by UNM edge rusher Brett Karhu who was credited with a quarterback hurry. Karhu brought the heat all game, and finished with a sack, a TFL, and a quarterback hurry. After a lateral play, the game finally ended, and the Lobos celebration began as UNM became bowl-eligible with the win over UNLV.
“It’s really cool. It’s really exciting not just for us but for the whole community,” Eck said of getting bowl eligibility.
Bowl Eligibility, At Last
For the first time since 2016, UNM will play in a bowl game. The win also gives them a good shot to play in the Mountain West conference championship game.
“Happy for our fans. Make those plans, keep December free,” Coach Eck said of the upcoming bowl game for UNM.
The San Diego State Aztecs (7-1, 4-0) are currently in first place in the Mountain West standings, and their next three games are against Mountain West foes who have at least six wins including a regular season finale at UNM Nov. 28.
What’s Next?
Looking forward to next week, UNLV will hope to end their two-game skid in Fort Collins against Colorado State (2-6, 1-3) Nov. 8.
The Lobos are on a bye for this week. The following week they will face Colorado St. at University Stadium Nov. 15.
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