Since 2010, the University of New Mexico Lobos football team has lost every match up with the Colorado State University Rams. That all changed on Saturday, Nov. 15, when the Lobos took down Colorado State 20-17 at University Stadium. This win not only brings about the end of the 13 game losing streak against CSU, but also marks the first winning season for UNM since 2016.
It wasn’t the prettiest game for the Lobo offense, fumbling the ball away four times. Turnovers were not the offense’s only issue, as they underperformed on third down, converting five of 14 on the game.
Lobo quarterback Jack Layne touched on the offensive struggles after the game.
“We’re an elite team when we don’t turn it over, we can’t turn it over and give them short fields,” Layne said.
Luckily for the Lobos, their defense came to play, showcasing the best defensive performance we have seen all year. The final score did not do justice to how well the Lobo defense played, as they seemed impenetrable out on the field.
The defense had three interceptions, one from safety Caleb Coleman and two from safety Austin Brawley. Picking off passes wasn’t the only thing the defense was doing as they got to the quarterback four times. In the run game, the Lobos didn’t allow a rusher to get over 40 yards – impressive for a team who, in their last outing, let up 35 points.
Lobos Head Coach Jason Eck spoke about his defense’s performance in the game.
“They played tremendously; they created opportunities,” Eck said.
Two important moments presented themselves to the Lobos in the first half, both following after each other in the second quarter. After running back Damon Bankston fumbled, CSU was set up in Lobo territory — where the Lobo defense made an impressive stand.
On third-and-one, UNM linebacker Jaxton Eck flew into the backfield like a heat-seeking missile causing a loss of one. On fourth-and-two, Colorado State decided to go for it, and once again, Eck flew into the backfield, forcing a turnover on downs.
The Lobo offense took the field and rode the momentum created by the defense as they were able to go on a 12 play, 77-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown by running back D.J. McKinney. Kicker Luke Drzewiecki would tack on three more points for the Lobos in the quarter as they went into the half riding a 10-0 lead.
Colorado State came crawling back into the game in the third quarter after UNM running back Scottre Humphrey fumbled in Lobo territory. Colorado State would capitalize on it, finding the endzone, and later went on to drill a 30-yard field goal to tie the game.
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The Lobos would not let the game slip, as in the fourth quarter they scored 10 points off two takeaways, leaving Colorado State reeling. CSU scored another touchdown to cut it to a three point deficit, but on the following Lobo drive, they would chew clock, leaving only 13 seconds left for Colorado State to work with. The Lobos denied any last second antics and left the field with their fourth win in a row.
This may have been an ugly game for the Lobos, but good teams find ways to win games, and the Lobos did exactly that. Now sitting at 7-3, 4-2 in conference, the Lobos will look to improve their record to 8-3 on Saturday, Nov. 22, when they take on the Air Force Academy Falcons.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
