“I said, ‘Let’s stop all this (talk of adjustments),’” the head coach said. “I said, ‘let’s look each kid in the eye and ask, “Do you really believe you can win this game?’
“We challenged them. We said ‘Enough. Enough. We are either going to step up and win this game, or we are going to be what we are and we are never going to turn this program around.’”
New Mexico (2-3) responded to Davie’s challenge by outscoring UTSA 21-6 in the second half for a 21-9 victory at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Lobo defense played one its best games under Davie, allowing a season-low 341 yards of total offense.
UNM harassed UTSA’s quarterbacks all game, sacking them a combined five times and forcing two interceptions.
“I thought we got better as the game went along,” Davie said. “We got some big plays, but overall our defense put us in position to win the game. We finally stepped up and played a complete game on defense.”
Senior linebacker Tevin Newman provided UNM’s first interception of the day when he picked off UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz, returning it 8 yards to the Roadrunners’ 19-yard line.
Six plays later, redshirt freshman quarterback Lamar Jordan ran up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown and a 14-9 lead in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, redshirt junior running back Jhurell Pressley rushed to the left side of the line, turned the corner and sped past UTSA’s defense for a 77-yard touchdown run for the final score of 21-9. Pressley rushed five times for 102 yards, his first career 100-yard game.
“We saw that last year,” Davie said. “You’re not going to methodically move the ball, you’re going to have to make some big plays.”
UTSA quarterback Tucker Carter then drove the Roadrunners across midfield, but was intercepted by UNM’s redshirt freshman safety Markel Byrd to clinch the win for the Lobos.
Junior signal-caller Cole Gautsche got the start, but was pulled after just two series. Jordan came in and gave UNM a spark on offense, gaining 106 yards on the ground on nine carries, including a 61-yard scamper that set up the Lobos’ first touchdown of the game. Jordan also completed 7 of 11 passes for 72 yards.
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“Quite honestly, it wasn’t that Cole did anything wrong,” Davie said. “You see what (Jordan) is. He’s a guy that can do things that aren’t scripted. He can go off-script pretty good and make some big plays.”
In the first half, UNM had a couple of drives stall in UTSA territory. The only score of the half came when Roadrunner kicker Sean Ianno hit a 20-yard field goal for a 3-0 halftime lead over the Lobos.
UTSA (1-4) scored on the opening drive of the second half when Jarveon Williams hit paydirt from 6 yards out for a 9-0 lead. UNM senior defensive end Brett Bowers blocked the point after attempt.
On the ensuing drive, Jordan saw an opening in the pocket and darted down the field for a 61-yard run. Senior tailback Crusoe Gongbay finished the possession with a 1-yard score.
“I think it’s the biggest win from the standpoint that maybe we can gain some momentum for this football program,” Davie said.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
