ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — UNLV took advantage of three fumbles, scoring 17 points off those turnovers and that was enough for UNLV to end its 14-game losing streak as New Mexico lost 24-17 to the Rebels in front of 14,007 at University Stadium.

The day was a mirror image of last season when UNM ended its 14-game losing streak.  A year ago Kansas has entered the day with 20 straight losses, and they won, handing the nation’s longest losing streak to UNM at 14 games, but UNM won over Wyoming to end that skid.  Today, Arizona’s 20-game losing streak was ended, handing the nation’s longest losing streak to UNLV at 14, and they ended theirs as well.  Much like Danny Gonzales in 2020, UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo got a Gatorade bath after the final whistle.

It certainly didn’t start out like UNLV would end that streak as the Lobos opened the game going right down the field as Isaiah Chavez led UNM’s longest drive of the season, a 91-yard, 10 play drive that saw he, Aaron Dumas and Trae Hall all bust 20+ yard runs on the drive, but the last one was costly as Trae Hall suffered an injured leg that had him in a cast for the rest of the game. Chavez finished off the drive with a 1-yard pass to Trace Bruckler, his third touchdown catch of the season.

UNM was still up 7-0 late in the first half when Chavez fumbled at his own four-yard line, and UNLV cashed in with a Charles Williams touchdown run a play later to tie the game. Two plays later was the first of two questionable turnovers that UNLV capitalized on, and this one was costly in two ways.  Chavez planted and went forward on an option play but fumbled when he took what looked like a crown of the helmet hit to his helmet. He lost the ball, UNLV recovered and Chavez went to the tent, and he didn’t return.  He was cleared of a head injury, but he also hurt his ankle, and that’s what ended the quarterbacks’ night.

That fumble led to a Matt Phillips 15-yard touchdown catch and a 14-7 UNLV lead. UNM answered with a 75-yard run by Bobby Cole with C.J. Montes at quarterback, and it looked like UNM was right back in it, but UNLV’s first play after that touchdown was a Kohl Williams 75-yard catch from Cameron Friel and UNLV went back on top 21-14.

An Andrew Shelley field goal made it 21-17 at the break, and UNM thwarted UNLV’s opening second half drive with a Ronald Wilson interception, but a third Lobo fumble ended the drive. On that play Montes was taken down and stripped of the ball and it went to review. While replay seemed to show that Montes’ knee was down while he had the ball, the play stood, leading to a field goal and a 24-17 lead.

UNM scuffled in the second half, amassing just 38 yards after halftime and only 11 in the fourth quarter after picking up 258 in the opening half. Chavez was 3-for-3 passing for eight yards and a touchdown, and Montes was just 7-for-13 for 28 yards as UNM moved the ball mostly on the ground. UNLV put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter with a short 45-yard drive after a good punt return with Charles Williams pounding the ball in from a yard out for a 31-17 lead.

Forced to pass, Montes was swarmed by UNLV to the tune of seven sacks, and overall UNLV had eight.

Postgame Notes

This was the 25th meeting between the two teams.

UNLV now leads the series 13-12 overall

The series is now tied 7-7 in Albuquerque

UNLV leads the series 6-5 in Las Vegas

UNLV has won one straight in the series

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: Isaiah Chavez started at QB for Terry Wilson

Defense: Tony Collier started at CB for Donte Martin.

*New Mexico’s captains were Jerrick Reed II, Kyle Stapley and Joey Noble.

*New Mexico’s Bryce Santana carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field.

*New Mexico won the toss and elected to receive, and UNLV defended the south goal.  UNM has received the opening kickoff in 15 of Danny Gonzales’ 16 games (Houston Baptist is the only exception).

TEAM NOTES:

*UNM had three rushes of 20 or more yards on its opening drive and five in the game. For the first eight games of the season, UNM had one such run (Terry Wilson’s 56-yard run against Houston Baptist in the opener.

*UNM’s touchdown on the opening drive was its first opening drive score since game two against New Mexico State.

*One week after no turnovers, UNM turned the ball over three times, with all three leading to scores.  THe Lobos picked up two turnovers themselves, but didn’t score on either.

*UNM’s 260 yards rushing was its highest total of the season, besting the 188 UNM gained against New Mexico State on September 11.

*New Mexico controlled the clock for 11:45 of the opening quarter but just 11:55 for the entire second half.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Isaiah Chavez fumbled twice within three plays, leaving after the second one with an injury. Both fumbles led to UNLV touchdowns.

*Bobby Cole’s 75-yard touchdown run was a career long and it was the longest run for the Lobos since an 83-yard touchdown run by Tyrone Owens against ULM on October 17, 2016.

*Aaron Dumas rushed for a career-high 92 yards on 15 carries.

*Aaron Rodriguez punted five times for a 45.6-yard average.

*Trace Bruckler’s third touchdown put him in the team lead, one ahead of Bobby Cole, who scored his second of the season.

*Andrew Shelley’s 21-yard field goal gave him six made out of his last seven.