Air Force Outlasts UNM 42-24
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Air Force rushed for 478 yards, the most allowed by UNM all season, and the Falcons took advantage of two big third quarter turnovers to turn a four-point game into a big lead as the Falcons kept their bowl hopes alive with a 42-24 win at Falcon Stadium. The Lobos will officially not qualify for a bowl for a second straight season.
The Lobos once again recovered three fumbles, and once again returned one for a touchdown, but it just wasn’t enough of an answer to an Air Force offense that only punted twice in the game.
The Falcons opened up a 14-0 lead on the strength of a pair of touchdowns on the ground, one to open the game from Christian Mallard and then a second quarter score from DJ Hammond III. The Lobos answered behind Sheriron Jones, who entered in relief of Coltin Gerhart. Zahneer Shuler tumbled over from three yards out for cut the lead in half, and then Daevon Vigilant scored his first career touchdown, tying the game at 14 apiece with 2:40 left in the half.
Air Force responded with a touchdown just 70 seconds later, as Kadin Remsberg scored from 54 yards out with just 1:30 to go, but Jones led UNM right back with Andrew Shelley kicking a 21-yard field goal before the half to make it 21-17 Falcons, but UNM getting the ball to start the third quarter.
That proved problematic as UNM suffered two turnovers over a three-play stretch, both turning into Air Force touchdowns to give the Falcons a commanding 35-17 lead. UNM got back in it on the strength of the leg of Tyson Dyer. Dyer blasted a school-record 84-yard punt, the longest in the FBS this season. That kick was downed at the one-yard line, and then on the next play, Adebayo Soremekun forced a fumble back into the end zone, and Jalin Burrell picked it up for his first career touchdown to make it 35-24 after three.
Jalin Burrell with the world’s easiest touchdown, the third fumble return for a TD this year by @UNMLoboFB #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/lizo0yUdcv
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) November 10, 2018
UNM than got another fumble recovery when Michael Sewell, Jr. stripped out a ball and Rhashaun Epting recovered, but the Lobos went three-and-out. Air Force then clinched the game with a 3-yard touchdown by Cole Fagan. UNM got just one possession after that.
Gerhart and Jones combined to go 13-for-18 passing for 186 yards. Delane Hart-Johnson had three catches, two highlight-reel variety, for 83 yards. Vigilant led the way with a career-best 67 yards.
The Lobos return home for their final two games of the season. UNM hosts Boise State on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Dreamstyle Stadium on Heroes Night, as UNM honors first responders and the military with special ticket deals and special pregame festivities at LoboFest.
Postgame Notes: Air Force 42, New Mexico 24
This was the 36th meeting all-time between the two teams.
Air Force now leads 22-14
Air Force now leads 12-2 in Colorado Springs
New Mexico leads 10-9 in Albuquerque
Series tied 1-1 in Denver
New Mexico leads 1-0 in Dallas
Air Force has won one straight overall
Air Force has won eight straight in Colorado Springs
Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep
Offense: UNM receiver Elijah Lilly was the non-starter; Anselem Umeh started for Patrick Reed at receiver.
Defense: No changes.
*New Mexico’s captains were Aaron Jenkins, Aaron Blackwell, Bojon Parker and Alex Hart
*New Mexico won the toss and deferred. It was the fourth time UNM won the coin toss, and the third time in a row.
*Thomas Vieira carried the New Mexico flag onto the field.
TEAM NOTES:
*UNM has nine fumble recoveries in the last two games after 10 in the previous 19 games.
*Coltin Gerhart started at quarterback, making New Mexico the fifth team in the FBS this season to have three quarterbacks start at least two games.
*The Lobos recovered three fumbles for the third straight game. The Lobos have now recorded 21 takeaways.
*UNM’s 12 fumble recoveries this season are the most since getting 14 in 2012.
*UNM allowed 478 yards on the ground. The squad hadn’t allowed more than 188 yards in any of the previous seven games.
*New Mexico didn’t commit a penalty for the first time since November 17, 1984 in a 37-31 loss at San Diego State.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*Sitiveni Tamaivena recovered a fumble in the first quarter, his first career takeaway
*Zahneer Shuler’s touchdown in the second quarter was his third rushing touchdown of the season.
*Andrew Shelley improved to 6-for-6 on field goals with a 21-yard kick to end the first half.
*Tyson Dyer’s 84-yard punt to the 1-yard line was the longest punt in New Mexico history, and it is the longest punt in the FBS this season.
*Jalin Burrell scored his first touchdown of his career when he picked up a fumble in the end zone. It was UNM’s third straight game with a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
*Adebayo Soremekun, who had three fumble recoveries in the last two games, forced a fumble that led to a defensive touchdown.
*Daevon Vigilant’s 67 yards rushing was a career-high.
*Stanley Barnwell, Jr. had a career-high 15 tackles.