The University of New Mexico Lobos football team walked into San José looking to improve on their 3-1 start, but instead returned with a second loss.
Despite a late comeback effort, they were unable to overcome an early deficit as they fell to the San José State University Spartans 35-28.
Coming off a rousing win against their rival, the New Mexico State University Aggies, the Lobos defense came out looking sluggish as they allowed a five-minute and 50-second opening drive that was capped off by Spartans’ freshman Steve Chavez-Soto’s first college touchdown.
The offense tried to respond, but after converting a fourth down, Lobo quarterback Jack Layne threw an interception on a trick play.
The Spartans quickly capitalized, as their quarterback Walker Eget led a nine-play scoring drive, capped off by his seventh touchdown pass of the season. The touchdown pass that ended the drive was deflected by Lobos safety CJ McBean into the arms of Spartans wide receiver Matthew Coleman, putting the Lobos into an early 14-point hole.
The Lobos made sure they didn’t fall too far behind, responding with a 10-play drive that was extended by a highlight reel tip drill catch from wide receiver Michael Buckley on a critical third and six and wrapped up with a four-yard rushing touchdown from running back Damon Bankston, cutting the lead in half with a 14-7 game.
The Spartans seemed unbothered by this touchdown, as Eget promptly found wide receiver Danny Scudero for a 70-yard touchdown, making it a 21-7 game.
Unphased, Layne made two big-time throws and took a major hit, drawing a roughing the passer call to make it first and goal. From that point on, they handed it off to running back Scottre Humphrey four times, converting their second fourth down of the night for the touchdown, and brought it back, delivering a 21-14 game.
The defense forced their first incompletion of the night on a critical third and three, forcing the Spartans to punt. The Lobos then led an adventurous two-minute drill that included big-time plays by the Lobo offense, culminating in kicker Luke Drzewiecki making a 25-yard field goal as time expired in the half, bringing the Lobos within four. They went into the locker room in a 21-17 game.
The Lobos were unable to do anything with the kickoff coming out of halftime, and their first and only punt of the night was met with a five-play drive from the Spartans, completed by Chavez-Soto’s second touchdown of the night to make it a 28-17 game.
The Lobo’s misfortune wouldn’t end there, as Layne threw a jump ball that would be picked for his second interception. Eget then led a methodical 86-yard drive finished with his third touchdown pass of the game, giving the Spartans a 35-17 advantage.
Layne would try to jump-start the offense and respond, but threw his third interception and his second to Spartans cornerback Jalen Bainer.
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“I thought he competed his tail off. I don’t know if any of those picks were a hundred percent on him,” Lobo Head Coach Jason Eck said.
Lobo wide receiver Keagan Johnson also commented on Layne’s performance.
“I wouldn’t say he had a rough night,” Johnson said. “This is what happens when you have an aggressive (offensive coordinator) and an aggressive quarterback. Nothing tonight will change how he plays going forward.”
The Spartans would not capitalize on the turnover, going three-and-out and giving the Lobos another chance, one they would not let slip away. The Lobos would embark on a 72-yard drive, ending with Layne running it in from three yards out for the touchdown, and then promptly finding wide receiver Shawn Miller for the 2-point conversion to make it a 10-point game.
The Lobos would need their defense to step up if they wanted a chance at a comeback, and they stepped up. Unfortunately, after a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down the Spartans got a second punt attempt and nailed the ever resilient Lobos inside their own 11-yard line. The drive would end with Drzewiecki kicking a 31-yard field goal which brought the Lobos within a touchdown. They just needed one more stop on defense to get a chance to complete the comeback.
Unfortunately for the Lobos, the Spartans leaned on Chavez-Soto for a couple of first downs and after the two-minute warning, star of the night Eget ran for a first down to ice the game.
“I’m proud of the team, we battled to the end and competed, but we have to get a lot better,” Eck said “(In practice) we have to work on some base fundamentals and forcing the ball out.”
Lobo Linebacker Jaxton Eck reaffirmed these sentiments, emphasizing that they will focus on “communication and coverage on the back end as well as forcing turnovers” as they prepare for next week, he said.
Lobo Football will face Boise State Broncos on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Albertsons Stadium in Idaho.
“All trust in our OC coach Slice (Luke Schleusner). He’s a genius, you’ll see the best Lobo team you’ve seen yet this year next week,” Johnson said.
Marley Herndon is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @Dailylobo
