Lobos Suffer 38-0 Defeat in Fresno
2017 Season Statistics | Box Score
FRESNO, Calif. — Not much went right for New Mexico as Fresno State rolled up 526 yards of offense and limited New Mexico to just 322 as the Bulldogs took a 38-0 win over the Lobos, dropping UNM to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Mountain West.
New Mexico had a shot at an early lead after both teams punted twice on its opening two possessions. Tevaka Tuioti hit Q’ Drennan with a 38-yard pass to move into Fresno State territory where Jason Sanders lined up for a 44-yard field goal, but a low snap threw off the timing of the kick and it sailed wide left.
Fresno State took over and Marcus McMariyon hit Jamire Jordan for a 70-yard touchdown two plays later, and that made it 7-0. Fresno State wasn’t done, getting another pass, this one 75 yards to Keesean Johnson to set up a 12 yard score, also to Johnson, to make it 14-0. It turned 21-0 in the second quarter on a short Ronnie Rivers run after a 57-yard McMariyon scramble on 3rd-and-17.
It went into the half at 21-0, but the second half saw UNM uncharacteristically struggle again. UNM opened the second half by twice driving behind Tuioti into Fresno State territory, only to be done in by turnovers. First Jay Griffin IV fumbled as he went against the grain at the Fresno State 45, and on the next drive Tuioti’s pass to Chris Davis, Jr. to the five was broken up, and the ricochet went straight to Mike Bell for an interception.
For UNM, the best player on the field might have been punter Corey Bojorquez. Playing in front of friends and family, he averaged 46.0 yards per kick on nine punts, nailing a career-best seven inside the 20, including three 50 yards punts. He netted 43.7 yards per kick.
The Lobos, down 38-0, UNM went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 3-yard line and threw incomplete. Fresno State was able to run the clock out from there.
McMariyon completed just 13 passes against UNM, but they went for 299 yards. UNM gained just 109 on the ground, and Tuioti threw for 200 on 13 of 24 passing.
UNM gets a short week now to get ready for Colorado State on ESPN2 at 8:15 p.m. on Friday night.
Postgame Notes: Fresno State 38, New Mexico 0
This was the 16th meeting between the two teams.
Fresno State now leads 12-4
Fresno State now leads 7-1 in Fresno
Fresno State leads 5-3 in Albuquerque
Fresno State has won six straight in the series
Fresno State has three straight in Fresno
Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep
Offense: 23 WR Jay Griffin IV for 18 WR Chris Davis, Jr. and 3 RB Richard McQuarley was the non-starter
Defense: 28 SS Jake Rothschiller starters for 16 Jacob GIrgle, with 35 Maxwell starting at Nickel
*New Mexico’s captains were Lamar Jordan, Blaise Fountain, Alex Hart and Jake Rothschiller
*Kameron Miller of Las Cruces, New Mexico carried the New Mexico flag onto the field
*New Mexico lost the toss for the first time this season, and is now 5-1 on coin tosses. UNM received the opening kickoff for the fifth time this season.
TEAM NOTES:
*The Lobos wore their alternate turquoise uniforms. The squad is now 1-4 since debuting them in 2014.
*The last time UNM was held to under 100 yards rushing was in 2012 when UNM got 84 against Texas Tech.
*UNM was shutout for the first time since a 45-0 loss at Texas on 9/8/2012.
*New Mexico was just 2-for-14 on third down, but held Fresno State to just 4-for-13 on third down as well.
*New Mexico dropped to 1-14 under Bob Davie when attempting 20 or more passes in a game.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*Corey Bojorquez had a season-high seven punts pinned inside the 20-yard line. In the opening quarter, he punted three times with three pins inside the 20, with a net of 50.0 yards per kick. He entered the game with just four pins inside the 20.
*Zahneer Shuler caught a career-high two passes.
*Tevaka Tuioti threw his first career interception, and it came off a deflection deep in Bulldog territory in the third quarter.
*UNM had eight different players catch passes.
*Daryl Chestnut and Tyrone Owens tied for the team lead with 29 yards each.
*Normal starting safety Jacob Girgle didn’t play due to injury.
Postgame Quotes: Fresno State 38, New Mexico 0
New Mexico Head Coach Bob Davie
On the game…
“They had a 75-yard catch, 70-yard catch and they had a 52-yard run on a third and long. They started the game with big plays, really big plays. In the second half, we went for one and not make it and they capitalized on that for another touchdown. We caved a little bit after they started running up the score. We just couldn’t get our offense going throughout the entire game. They ran 4-3-hip cover 4 tonight. We’ve seen a lot of 4-3-hip cover 4s this year, but Fresno State was really quick and we couldn’t run it. Overall, we gave up big plays on defense and couldn’t run the ball on offense.”
On playing two quarterbacks…
“We came into the game knowing both quarterbacks were going to play tonight. It was made obvious pretty early that we were going to have to throw the ball. We fell behind trying to run, so it became a passing game for us. I could of put Lamar Jordan back in or tried Coltin Gerhart, but we were getting worked. This wasn’t a game we were going to come back and win.”
On moving past this game…
“We are going to have to take care of each other to move past this, that’s the only way to do it. We need to come back in tomorrow and work. We have Colorado State next week, and in my opinion they are the most talented team. Although, it is hard for me to say that after tonight’s game. This game was the first time in a long time that we’ve got beaten this badly. We didn’t see this coming. It was tough night all the way around, and we give them credit.”
Blaise Fountain, OL
“We win as a team, we lose as a team. This was a learning experience. We need to get in there tomorrow to watch this tape and get back to practice. We will move past this and get focused on Colorado State.”
Jake Rothschiller, S
On the game…
“I feel like we beat ourselves tonight. We need to come together as a team now. We knew they had good playmakers, and tonight they showed what they were capable of doing. We need to come together after this loss and get ready for Colorado State.” 