by Justin Goodrum
Daily Lobo
The UNM men's and women's rugby teams saved their best for the big stage.
The Lobos played their first games of the season at University Stadium instead of Johnson Field on Saturday against the Air Force Academy, with the men's team winning 30-15, and the women upsetting the No. 5-ranked Zoomies 21-15.
UNM senior Andre Jackson said playing on the speedier field at University Stadium gave the Lobos an advantage.
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"It's awesome," Jackson said. "The grass is good, and they take good care of it. We don't have to play on the dirt lot like on Johnson Field."
With the score at 23-15 with 20 minutes remaining, the Lobos relied on their defense and did not allow Air Force to score. Air Force was on UNM's side of the field for the majority of the closing seconds, but two great defensive plays, including a tackle by Jackson, stopped any hopes of putting more points on the board.
Sophomore Daniel Wysong secured the victory for the Lobos with a dramatic run to score the final points of the match and give the Lobos a 30-15 victory.
Head coach Shannon Robinson said his team played with unity in Saturday's victory.
"This team really came to together," Robinson said. "These guys like each other, so they fight for each other."
A crowd of 1,500 watched the physical match.
At 10 minutes, Air Force pushed the ball in the Lobo zone and converted on a penalty kick, putting the Air Force up 3-0.
New Mexico wasn't fazed and worked its way into Air Force's zone, converting a penalty kick that tied the match. With 25 minutes gone in the first half, Lobo Tommy Barrs scored the first touchdown of the game. The Lobos missed the extra point, putting them up by five.
Air Force immediately came back and scored on a breakaway run, once again tying the score. The Lobos would get the final score of the half, putting them up by three going into halftime.
Air Force made adjustments from the first half and scored the first touchdown of the second half, giving them the lead.
The Lobos responded by turning up the pressure and regained the lead for good with 20 minutes remaining.
Ted Kemgang said it was a major victory for the Lobos, but also said UNM must focus on the remainder of the season.
"We need to improve for upcoming games," Kemgang said. "We won't just be proud of this game. We still have a lot to do."
