LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The legend of Isaiah Chavez grew larger on Saturday night, as the walk-on true freshman from Rio Rancho High School, the 2019 New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, threw for one touchdown, ran for another and led UNM to a touchdown on every meaningful drive in the second half as New Mexico defeated Fresno State 49-39, its first win over the Bulldogs since 1994. The win means UNM’s season ends on a two-game winning streak as UNM finished 2-5 while Fresno State finished 3-3.
Chavez was 14-for-18 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown, and he added 95 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries to win what is believed to be the first start in school history by a true freshman walk-on quarterback. He also for the second straight week led UNM to a fourth quarter comeback. UNM’s defense was tough all night, registering eight sacks of Jake Hoener, its most in 15 yeears.
Down 24-21 at the break, Fresno State took the opening drive of the second half and drove 70 yards in 16 plays, taking 7:59 to score on a 3-yard run by quarterback Jake Hoener to give the Bulldogs their second 10-point lead of the game. Chavez answered with his only touchdown pass of the game. He hit tight end and fellow true freshman Connor Kinslow in stride for a 49-yard touchdown. The catch was Kinslow’s first career reception.
UNM forced a punt and the Lobos took the lead in the fourth quarter. After a tricky play resulted in a penalty for interference, Nathaniel Jones bulled his way over from 10-yard line to give UNM its first lead of the game at 35-31. The Lobos added to the lead when after a short punt into the wind, Bobby Cole went untouched for a 35-yard touchdown. Cole went over 100 yards for the second straight game, rushing for 131 and three touchdowns. After Patrick Peek intercepted a pass, Cole finished off a quick drive with a 9-yard touchdown, giving UNM 28 straight points.
Fresno State scored late and got a two-point conversion, but Lobo punter Tyson Dyer recovered the onside kick to allow UNM to run out the clock.
New Mexico never led in the first half, but basically had an answer for each Fresno State score. The Bulldogs opened with a short field and scored on a 10-yard pass after a 44-yard drive, but Chavez led UNM down the field against the wind, scoring his first career touchdown from 3 yards out.
The Bulldogs went ahead again on another mid-range touchdown pass, but Nathaniel Jones tied it with a 3-yard run that was set up when Fresno State roughed punter Tyson Dyer, giving UNM a first down. Chavez then hit Marcus Williams for a 44-yard pass to the 3-yard line, setting up the Jones run.
After Fresno State got a field goal and an 84-yard run from Jordan Mims, Chavez raced for 54 yards on third-and-seven and then Bobby Cole finished it off to make it 24-21, and that’s where it stayed going into the half.