Missed Opportunities Haunt in 27-17 Loss

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was a game of missed opportunities for New Mexico, and a 75-yard NMSU touchdown pass right after a fourth quarter score spelled doom as the Lobos dropped a 27-17 decision to New Mexico State.  The Lobos now head out for a two-game road trip, starting with a long cross-country trip to face UMass next Saturday at 1:30 pm Mountain Time, 3:30 pm Eastern Time.

New Mexico trailed 17-10 at the break even though it felt like UNM should have been up.  On the opening drive, UNM got all the down to the Aggie three-yard line, but a first down sack moved UNM to the 12-yard line, and the Lobos ended up settling for a 25-yard Luke Drzewiecki field goal.  After UNM forced a three-and-out, the Lobos again waltzed right down the field.

After Jacory Croskey-Merritt caught a 31-yard pass to the Aggie 19, Sherod White came in and escaped an initial tackle but then fumbled the ball away, ending a chance for UNM to go up 10-0 early.

NMSU took the turnover and went 88 yards in 10 plays, capped by a Star Thomas 2-yard run.  UNM answered when Croskey-Merritt scored one play after Justin Holaday barreled into the end zone, only to be oddly called short.  Croskey-Merritt’s touchdown was his fifth of the season.

NMSU tied it with an Ethan Albertson field goal and then the Aggies scored in the final minute when Diego Pavia hit Jonathan Brady for 31-yard touchdown.  That followed the only three-and-out all game for UNM.

Ethan Albertson added a 47-yard field goal but UNM got a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Hopkins to Andrew Erickson early in the fourth to make it a 20-17 game, but on the first play after that, Pavia hit Brady over the middle and he raced 75 yards for a 27-17 lead.

NMSU tried to run out the clock, but couldn’t do it, failing the run for a first down on both second-and-1 and third-and-1.  The Lobos forced a punt and drove the field needing two scores.  UNM almost got one quick but DJ Washington caught a touchdown but was just out of bounds when he hauled it in.  Needing two scores and down to a four-and-5, Drzewiecki banged his 29-yard field goal attempt off the left upright, and that ended any chance of a comeback.

The Lobos outgained New Mexico State 401-397, and had 26 first downs to NMSU’s 15.  The issue was the two long touchdowns, totaling 106 yards on two plays.

New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales:

New Mexico quarterback Dylan Hopkins:

New Mexico safety Tavian Combs:

Postgame Notes

This was the 113th meeting between the two teams.

New Mexico now leads 73-35-5

New Mexico now leads 43-16 in Albuquerque

New Mexico leads 29-19-2 in Las Cruces

New Mexico State has now won two straight in the series, and one straight in Albuquerque.

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: Luke Wysong started at WR for DJ Washington, Caleb Medford started at WR for Andrew Erickson, Trace Bruckler started at TE for Magus Geers, 84 Wyatt McClour was the skill position player who didn’t start.

Defense: None

*New Mexico’s captains were Dylan Hopkins, Donte Martin, Alex Marenco and CJ James.

*New Mexico’s Bryce Santana carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Charles Steinkamp carried the United States flag.

*New Mexico lost the toss and New Mexico State and deferred.  UNM elected to receive and defend the South goal. It marked the 32nd time in 34 games under Danny Gonzales that UNM has received the opening kickoff.

TEAM NOTES:

*The Lobos have lost 20 straight when trailing entering the fourth quarter.  UNM’s last win when trailing entering the fourth was on December 12, 2020 when UNM defeated Fresno State 49-39 after trailing 31-28 entering the fourth.

*UNM has also lost 17 straight when trailing at the half.  That Fresno State game was also the last time that UNM won when trailing at the half.  UNM trailed that game 24-21.

*The Lobos were just 3-of-5 on red zone scoring chances.

*New Mexico ran 71 plays to New Mexico State’s 45.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*New Mexico’s opening points came on a 25-yard Luke Drzewiecki field goal.

*Donte Martin had two pass breakups to give him 27 total PBUs in his career moving up to fifth on the career list.

*Drzewiecki’s 29-yard miss in the fourth quarter was his first miss of any kind this season.