| Recap | Press Conference | Highlights |
The University of New Mexico Lobos are going bowling. In this seven-part series by Assistant A.D. for Communications Frank Mercogliano, we will look back at each of UNM’s seven wins that brought UNM to bowl eligibility. Our final part is UNM’s third November win as a double-digit underdog, winning 47-35 over Air Force on senior night.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Now this one was fun.
On a pleasant evening at University Stadium, the Lobos faced the Mountain West’s Mountain Division champions knowing that a bowl was happening. All that remained was a night to send the seniors out in style and clinch a winning season. Done and done.
Jhurell Pressley ran over and around the Air Force Falcons to the tune of a career-high 170 yards and three touchdowns, and seniors contributed all over the yard as UNM again picked up a big win on ESPNU with a 47-35 win over Air Force that wasn’t as close as that final score would indicate.
UNM had a remarkable opening half, outscoring Air Force 31-14, answering the Falcons at every turn. Pressley scored on back-to-back touches, one of 57 yards, and then from 75 yards, both in the opening quarter sandwiched around the first of five touchdowns by Air Force’s Timothy McVey.
In the second quarter it was Richard McQuarley’s turn to score twice as he did so from 16 and 44 yards. Overall, UNM had six plays in the game that were 44 yards or longer as UNM racked up yardage to the tune of 512 yards on just 65 plays.
After going up 34-14, Air Force tried to climb back in it with back-to-back touchdowns to get within 34-28, but Lamar Jordan was masterful on a 78-yard, 11-play touchdown drive that put UNM back up 40-28. The Falcons answered, but with 3:08 left and holding two timeouts, they attempted an onside kick that not only was recovered by UNM, but Delane Hart-Johnson returned it inside the 30, and then the ball ended up at the 13 after a personal foul.
That set the stage for Pressley’s final touchdown, but he wasn’t the only senior getting in on the fun. Seniors Donnie Duncan and Cranston Jones had second half interceptions, Zack Rogers punted well and hit two field goals, Eden Mahina, Bryan Oldenkamp and Dillon Romine blocked for 377 rushing yards, Reece White added a 58-yard catch and Carlos Wiggins a 44-yarder as well.
It was the perfect ending for UNM, clinching a winning season and setting up a return to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl as UNM made it to its first postseason since 2007.
New Mexico will be playing in its first bowl game since the 2007 season. UNM will take on Arizona in the 10th Annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl at noon on Saturday, December 19. Tickets can be purchased through the UNM ticket office at www.unmtickets.com.
Press Conference:
Highlights:
Game Recap: