The Colorado State Rams football team took full advantage of the University of New Mexico’s mistakes in their Friday night matchup, ending the game with a 35-21 scoreline in favor of the Rams.
The game kicked off with CSU pushing through New Mexico’s defense and putting in the first touchdown via tight end Trey McBride after a 42-yard pass from Rams quarterback Patrick O’Brien.
Leading the Lobos 7-0, the game stayed neutral for Colorado until the 10-minute mark when New Mexico offensive lineman Letayveon Beaton forced a fumble that was recovered by Lobo linebacker Brandon Burton. The recovery gave UNM the opportunity to even the score, but the team came up short and was forced to kick the ball away on fourth down.
On the Lobos' next possession, an impressive play was made by running back Bryson Carroll, who ran 56 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown. After a review, officials determined that Carroll fumbled the ball at Colorado’s 1-yard line during a premature celebration and brought the ball — and the score — back.
The Lobos managed to recover from Carroll's mistake with a one-yard push into the end zone by UNM’s Kentrail Moran. A missed conversion kick by Andrew Shelley put the Lobos down 7-6 going into the second quarter.
The second began with five different penalties between both teams, including unsportsmanlike behavior from the Lobos and a facemask flag on Colorado. Late, the Lobos managed a 4-yard touchdown run from Moran and a successful two-point conversion pass, putting UNM up 14-7 over Colorado.
Some back and forth resulted in a Rams possession. O’Brien took full advantage, connecting with wide receiver Warren Jackson for an 85-yard completion and a Rams touchdown, tying up the game 14-14 with four minutes remaining in the half.
Colorado’s momentum carried to the end of the second. UNM’s defense couldn’t find its footing, and the Rams were able to secure a third touchdown seconds before the clock ran out on the half.
Marvin Kinsey Jr. of CSU made the 1-yard rush into the end zone and kicker Braxton Davis got the extra point, putting the Rams ahead 21-14 at the end of the half.
The heat from the Rams didn’t let up at the start of the third. Colorado found the endzone in minute 12 of the second half as Kinsey put up his second touchdown of the night. This put UNM behind the Rams 28-14.
The remainder of the game stayed at this tempo. The Lobos struggled to keep the Rams at bay and reduce their errors while Colorado held the pressure, not letting up on the home team.
In the fourth quarter, it looked like the Lobos could close the gap with a 4-yard touchdown from Carroll, but CSU responded with a final touchdown of their own with 5:58 left on the clock.
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New Mexico couldn’t get on top of the game as Colorado held the home team and ended the match 35-21, putting CSU at a 1-2 record in Mountain West Conference play and UNM at 0-2.
Both teams put up high stats for the game with the Lobos finishing with 256 total rushing yards and the Rams completing 420 passing yards — O’Brien leads the team.
At the end of the game during a postgame interview, UNM head coach Bob Davie described the night as "nightmare matchup."
"Bottom line: find a way to get better," Davie said in reference to the team’s upcoming games and the errors made against Colorado State.
New Mexico’s next game is scheduled against Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. Fans can catch the game on AT&T Sportsnet or Lobos Radio.
Alanie Rael is the sports editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @AllyRael
