Time and again the head coach has talked about the Lobos not being mature enough to execute for a full four quarters against quality teams.
This was the case once again on Friday night as UNM dropped a 10-point first-half lead in a 35-24 loss to Fresno State at University Stadium. The game was both teams’ Mountain West opener.
“We were certainly in a position to win the game and we didn’t. We didn’t. Because we’re not mature enough,” Davie said. “I think right now, just being brutally honest, the game is too fast for us on defense.”
Both UNM’s offense and defense flagged in the second half as Fresno State’s no-huddle, up-tempo offense took control of the game. The Bulldogs outscored the Lobos 21-7 and outgained them 300 yards to just 82 in the final two quarters.
Senior offensive lineman LaMar Bratton said his team has to learn how to make a comeback.
“As far as just growing as a team, we have to figure out how to fight longer and harder,” he said. “We just got to learn that when one thing goes bad, there was still plenty of time — there were multiple times — where we could have gotten the game right back in our hands. But we didn’t.”
Early in the second half, UNM looked poised to take another double-digit lead.
The Lobos had a 24-21 edge over the Bulldogs after freshman quarterback Lamar Jordan hit junior running back David Anaya on a play action pass for a 36-yard touchdown.
On the Bulldogs’ next possession, quarterback Brian Burrell’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and cornerback Cranston Jones made the interception, returning it to Fresno State’s 27 yard line.
UNM was unable to capitalize on the field possession as Fresno State stuffed the Lobos on 4th-and-1 for a turnover on downs.
“You know, if we kick the field goal we go up by six points,” Davie said. “I knew a six-point lead was no different than a three-point lead, to be quite honest. I knew we needed more points to score to win that game.”
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Fresno State’s next possession ended with a 1-yard score from tailback Josh Quezada that capped an 11-play, 89-yard drive. The Bulldogs scored the final touchdown of the game when Burrell dove for a 3-yard score for a 35-24 advantage.
Burrell was untroubled by UNM’s defense for most of the night, completing 27 of 39 passes for 318 yards and three scores.
UNM (1-3, 0-1 Mountain West) had several chances to change the complexion of the game in the second half, but couldn’t make the necessary plays.
“The stage was set, we’re just not seizing enough to do it against a team that physical and that big and that good,” Davie said. “That’s what’s frustrating, but it’s getting closer, I think.”
The first half saw some of the best football of the season from the Lobos.
Junior running back Jhurell Pressley gave UNM a 10-7 lead over Fresno State when he hit paydirt from 18 yards out in the second quarter.
Jordan then gave the Lobos a 10-point advantage after a 26-yard scamper on an option keeper.
The freshman didn’t start the game, but played the majority of it after he subbed in for senior quarterback Clayton Mitchem in the first quarter. Mitchem played only the first two offensive series.
Jordan threw for 97 yards and one score. He also added 70 yards on the ground on 14 attempts.
“I’m always just proud of how Lamar performs every game,” Bratton said. “He goes out there with the confidence of a fifth-year senior and that’s what drives him. He’s not afraid to make a mistake; he’s not afraid to chase after those big plays.”
The Bulldogs were able to find the end zone right before halftime when Quezada took a screen pass from Burrell for a touchdown from 10 yards out. UNM led 17-14 at halftime.
Burrell’s final touchdown pass of the game provided Fresno State (2-3, 1-0 MW) its first lead when he hit wide receiver Greg Watson for a 3-yard score for a 24-21 edge in the third quarter.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
