No. 23/24 Broncos Hold Off Lobos 45-14
Box Score | 2018 Season Statistics | Post Game Audio Files
(11/17/2018) FB_vs_BoiseALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A key second quarter turnover when UNM had the ball with a chance to tie turned into a critical defensive score for Boise State as the No. 23/24 Broncos seemingly turned every small Lobo mistake into points as they defeated New Mexico 45-14 at Dreamstyle Stadium. The loss spoiled the record-breaking night of Aaron Jenkins, who set the UNM games played and games started.
The Lobos played well, but every mistake the team made seemingly was magnified by the Broncos, who forced three turnovers in Lobo territory, turning all into points. The Broncos also took advantage of a roughing the kicker penalty to score another touchdown, and UNM missed a field goal. The three turnovers led to 21 points.
The Broncos scored on their first two possessions of the game as Sean Modster, who had a career-night with nine catches for 129 yards and three touchdowns, caught a pair of scoring tosses from Brett Rypien. The first was from 15 yards out at the 12:38 mark and the second was at the 2:21 mark of the opening quarter.
UNM was able to answer with an inventive drive that covered 75 yards. In it, UNM used both Sheriron Jones at quarterback, along with sophomore Bryson Carroll, who will redshirt the season, but was able to play due to the new rule allowing players to play up to four games. Carroll rushed twice to open the drive before Jones came in and completed it. The key play was a perfect pass to Delane Hart-Johnson that was ruled down just inches short of the goal line. Daevon Vigilant finished it off by crashing over from a yard out to make it 14-7.
UNM then got a defensive stop and set up shop at its 5-yard line after a Bronco punt, but on the second play, Zahneer Shuler was stripped of the ball by Desmond Williams, and he picked it up on the fly and scored from nine yards out to make it 21-7 Boise State.
UNM had a chance to cut into the lead, but missed its first field goal of the season, and Boise State responded with a field goal of their own just before halftime for a 24-7 lead. The Lobos, who had recovered three fumbles in three straight games, fumbled for a second time to open to second half, and BSU’s Modster caught his third touchdown to cap that and make it 31-7.
An 86-yard punt return touchdown by Marcus Hayes is the Lobos’ first punt return since 2002! The Lobos now trail 31-14 in the fourth quarter. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/GRwq27K2bw
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) November 17, 2018
The Lobos were able to cut into the lead when Marcus Hayes dazzled everyone with an electrifying 86-yard punt return for a touchdown, UNM’s first punt return for a touchdown in 16 years. Hayes caught it at the 14-yard line, moved left, reversed field and was able to stay on his feet. He then cut up field and outraced everyone to the end zone.
UNM attempted an onside kick, but despite not getting it, the defense held. UNM’s third turnover of the night, and first interception, led to an Alexander Mattison 41-yard touchdown run. The Broncos scored on an Andrew Van Buren 8-yard touchdown run with 1:14 left to cap the scoring.
The Lobos will face Wyoming on Saturday, November 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the final game of the season. Wyoming takes on Air Force in what should be a very snowy game in Laramie at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Postgame Notes: No. 23/24 Boise State 45, New Mexico 14
This was the 10th meeting all-time between the two teams.
Boise State now leads 9-1
Boise State now leads 5-0 in Albuquerque
Boise State leads 4-1 in Boise
Boise State has won three straight overall
Boise State has won five straight in Albuquerque
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, Alex Hart, Sitivena Tamaivena and Cody Baker.
*New Mexico won the toss and deferred. It was the fifth time UNM won the coin toss, and the fourth time in a row.
*Thomas Vieira carried the New Mexico flag onto the field.
TEAM NOTES:
*UNM’s scoring average fell below 30 points per game for the first time this season.
*The Lobos registered three sacks and seven tackles for loss.
*UNM’s on-side kick attempt was its first of the season.
*Both teams went 4-for-10 on third down.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*Aaron Jenkins broke the UNM record for games played in a career with his 51st game. He also broke the career record for starts with his 49th, and his 49th consecutive start. Next week he will tie the school record for consecutive games played with his 50th in a row.
*Brandon Shook recorded xx tackles, his first career double-digit tackle game.
*Delane Hart-Johnson led the way with three catches for 65 yards.
*Andrew Shelley missed his first career field goal, missing wide left from 37 yards.
*Stanley Barnwell, Jr. blocked a 43-yard field goal, UNM’s first blocked field goal since Nik D’Avanzo blocked a field goal against Colorado State on November 21, 2015.
*Marcus Hayes scored on an 86-yard punt return, tying Tony Gray for the longest in school history (October 4, 1958). Gray’s punt return happened at Zimmerman Field. It was UNM’s first punt return in 208 games (August 31, 2002 – Dwight Counter vs. Weber State). UNM opponents had punted 956 times over those 208 games for 39,869 yards (which is 22.65 miles). UNM over that span had returned 345 punts for 2,415 yards.