The University of New Mexico football team (2-3) lost Friday night’s game against the San Jose State Spartans (3-2) with a final score of 32-21.
San Jose State senior quarterback Josh Love was the game's leading passer, throwing for 405 yards and two touchdowns on 24 completions. Lobos senior quarterback Sheriron Jones was the game's leading rusher, totaling a career high of 104 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
The game opened with Love completing a pass to wide receiver Tre Walker for 39 yards down to the UNM 48-yard line. San Jose moved the ball down the field until UNM defensive lineman Erin Austin strip sacked Love, resulting in a fumble recovered by senior cornerback De’John Rodgers. Picking up the fumble gave UNM the chance to run ten plays for 26 yards, setting kicker Andrew Shelley up for a 29-yard field goal attempt that Shelley missed — his first failed field goal attempt of the season.
On the very next drive, Spartan running back Nick Nash ran for a nine yard touchdown and put San Jose on the board 6-0. The extra point try was blocked by UNM defensive lineman Adebayo Soremekum. UNM’s next drive resulted in a three and out, leading San Jose State to a 22-yard drive that resulted in a missed field goal.
Going into the second quarter, UNM’s next drive led to another three-and-out that resulted in a San Jose seven play, 93-yard touchdown drive capped off by Love completing a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Billy Humphreys.
On their next play, the Lobos drove the ball down the field to inside their redzone until Tevaka Tuioti’s pass was intercepted by San Jose State cornerback Brandon Ezell. During the next play, Love completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bailey Gaither that put San Jose ahead 20-0.
San Jose State's next two drives resulted from two UNM turnovers — a fumble and an interception — and produced field goals from the 24 and 33-yard lines that stretched the San Jose lead to 26-0.
The closing end of the second quarter saw the Lobos notch their first touchdown of the game, which was a six play, 75-yard drive that closed with Jones completing a 34-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Kress.
UNM got the ball back before the end of the half with only 14 seconds left. It ended with UNM handing the ball off to running back Ahmari Davis for a gain of 13 yards, concluding the half with a 26-7 scoreline.
The third quarter began with punts by both UNM and San Jose and a Lobo fumble by Davis at the UNM 10-yard line. The fumble was recovered by San Jose linebacker Rico Tolefree, putting the Spartans deep into their own territory. The Lobos defense held once again, forcing a punt and setting up a UNM 60-yard touchdown drive. A four-yard touchdown scamper by Jones capped the drive and lessened the lead to a two touchdown game, 26-14.
The fourth quarter started with a penalty against UNM for a roughing the passer call, putting San Jose at the 50-yard line. A consistent yard gainage from the Spartans set up the team for a 49-yard field goal by kicker Matt Mercurio, increasing the lead to 29-14.
The Lobos struggled to close the gap San Jose made in the last three quarters. An interception thrown by Jones and caught by cornerback Nehemiah Shelton put UNM at their fifth turnover of the game.
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Following the interception, San Jose kicked a 24-yard field goal, putting the Spartans ahead of the Lobos 32-14 with six minutes left on the clock.
UNM responded as running back Bryson Carroll returned the ensuing kickoff for 25 yards to UNM’s 34. After a run by Davis for eight yards, UNM accepted a roughing the passer call giving the Lobos the ball at the San Jose 48.
The next two plays saw Jones connect with wide receiver Cedric Patterson III for a 38-yard touchdown, shortening the lead to 32-21.
The Lobos' defense forced San Jose to a three-and-out, giving UNM its final chance to do something on the field. The Lobos turned the ball over with another Jones interception, and San Jose ran out the clock to win the game 32-21.
The Lobos will look to get back on track against Colorado State next week with a home game on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network and Lobo Radio.
Reyes Gallegos is a sports reporter at the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @dailylobo
