Box Score | 2017 Season Statistics
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M scored on its first six drives, and added a seventh score on a punt return as the Aggies defeated New Mexico 55-14 in College Station, handing the Lobos their fifth consecutive defeat and officially ending any chance of three straight bowl games for UNM.
It took just 28 seconds for Texas A&M to take the lead as Christian Kirk scored on a 60-yard pass on the second play from scrimmage. New Mexico could get nothing going offensively, moving the ball just 57 yards total in the first half. After a second Aggie touchdown, UNM got the Texas A&M 32, but a loss threw UNM just out of field goal range. Corey Bojorquez, who was busy in the opening half, pinned Texas A&M at the 3-yard line.
However, the Aggies covered those 97 yards in seven plays, the final 12 yards on a Keith Ford run to make it 20-0. Elijah Lilly then had an incredible kickoff return, and it looked like he weaved and zigged and zagged his way to a jaw-dropping 93-yard touchdown, but Aggie coach Kevin Sumlin challenged that his knee was down, and it was confirmed.
From there it snowballed. After another touchdown, Corey Bojorquez unloaded a punt to the Aggie 10-yard line that Kirk grabbed, peeled backwards and flags flew for what looked like a block in the back, if not two. However, all the flags were picked up, and it went down as a 90-yard punt return and a 34-0 lead.
Down 48-0, UNM got on the board when Lilly again dazzled on a kickoff return, somehow escaping a tackle at the Lobo 21 and racing for a 100-yard touchdown, and there would be no replay this time.
That 48-7 score is how it went into the half. From there, both teams changed quarterbacks. UNM made it 48-14 when Daryl Chestnut scored from three yards out to cap a 14-play, 80-yard drive. The Aggies answered that score with one of their own, accounting for the final 55-14.
New Mexico was outgained 562-144, although the Lobos’ usual stout run defense was in full force, allowing just 63 yards on 23 carries. The Aggies took advantage of some injuried in the secondary to throw for 499 yards.
UNM now heads home for Senior Day, facing UNLV on Friday night at 7:30 on ESPN2.
Postgame Notes: Texas A&M 55, New Mexico 14
This was the fourth meeting between the two teams.
Texas A&M now leads 4-0
Texas A&M now leads 3-0 in College Station
Texas A&M leads 1-0 in Albuquerque
Texas A&M has three straight in College Station
Texas A&M has won four straight in the series
Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep
Offense: Romell Jordan (RB) started for Richard McQuarley. Chris Davis was the none starter.
Defense: Willie Hobdy (FS) started for Stanley Barnwell.
*New Mexico’s captains were Lamar Jordan, Blaise Fountain, Alex Hart and Jake Rothschiller
*Romell Jordan of Rio Rancho, New Mexico carried the New Mexico flag onto the field
*New Mexico lost the toss for the third time this season, and is now 7-3 on coin tosses. UNM received the opening kick.
TEAM NOTES:
*The Lobos wore their white helmets with white tops and red pants.
*New Mexico has now lost the turnover battle eight times this season, going 1-7.
*New Mexico’s kickoff return for a touchdown extended UNM’s streak of seasons with a kickoff return for a touchdown to eight consecutive, dating back to 2010. It also was the 10th kickoff return for a touchdown in the last six seasons, tying Kansas State and San Diego State for the most over that time frame.
*Texas A&M became the second team in 2017 to break the 400-yard passing mark against UNM. New Mexico State was the other team.
*UNM allowed just 63 yards rushing, the fourth time in 10 games allowing fewer than 100 yards.
*The attendance of 99,051 was the second-most people to ever watch New Mexico play a game. The previous high was 100,990 when UNM lost 45-0 at Texas on September 8, 2012.
*The 55 points allowed was the most since November 22, 2014 when UNM allowed 58 to Colorado State is a 58-20 loss.
*UNM’s 144 yards of offense marked the second time in three games that UNM failed to hit the 200-yard mark.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*Elijah Lilly returned a second quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. It marked his second kickoff return of his career for a touchdown, and his longest. He earlier had a 93-yard touchdown in a game but replay showed his knee grazed the turf.
*Daryl Chestnut’s touchdown was his third of the season.
*D’Angelo Ross had two pass breakups and now has nine on the season, while Jalin Burrell had one and now has eight.
*Corey Bojorquez averaged 41.8 yards per punt on 10 punts, his second-lowest average of the season. However, he did have four 50+ yard punts, and he had six more pins inside the 20, giving him 21 on his last 33 punts.