Poor Second Half Dooms UNM in 52-24 Loss
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The second half spelled disaster for New Mexico as a 17-14 lead dissipated as San Jose State scored six of its first seven second half drives, getting two long touchdowns and capitalizing on an interception for another score in a 24-0 third quarter as the Spartans handed UNM its 14th straight conference loss, 52-17.
The Lobos didn’t get a first down in the second half until early in the fourth quarter, and by then it was much too late. UNM was outscored 38-7 in the second half, getting outgained 375-130, and 95 of those came on UNM’s final drive, its only touchdown drive of the second half. Nothing went right in that half, with UNM going three-and-out four times, four-and-out once and throwing a first play interception from its own six-yard line before the final scoring drive. While that was happening, the Spartans used big plays after big plays, getting four plays of 50 yards or more in the second half.
The Lobos went into halftime with the lead thanks to a bit of fourth down trickery. After a third-and-9 run by Dylan Hopkins got the ball to the San Jose State 4-yard line, bringing up a fourth-and-1, UNM called a time out and then used a direct snap to Croskey-Merritt, and he wasn’t even touched until he hit the goal line, and then he bullied his way in with 31 seconds left in the half to give UNM a 17-14 lead at the break.
The lead didn’t last, and it was the same thing that hurt UNM that did them in last week, long plays. San Jose State opened the second half with a 55-yard touchdown an a screen pass from Chevan Cordiero to Kairee Robinson, a play that looked like it might go for a loss. That gave San Jose State the lead back just 19 seconds into the half, and it expounded from there.
After a three-and-out by UNM, Nick Nash caught a 54-yard touchdown pass on a play-action fake that made it 28-17. After UNM forced a field goal, Dylan Hopkins threw an interception at the Lobo 23-yard line, and Robinson raced in for his third touchdown of the game, second on the ground. That made it 38-17, finishing off a 24-point third quarter.
Overall, San Jose State got five plays of 50 or more yards, all in the second half. UNM had allowed five such plays in the first five games of the season combined before tonight.
The touchdown before the half was Croskey-Merritt’s second touchdown of the half, as he finished off a drive in which UNM was able to respond after falling behind 7-3. On that drive early in the second quarter, UNM twice converted third and longs. The first was third-and-15, and Hopkins found Jeremiah Hixon for 19 yards and a first down. The second was when Hopkins hit Trace Bruckler for 12 on third-and-11.
San Jose State didn’t do much on offense early, but still took a 7-3 lead when a missed assignment led to a punt block, which turned into a scoop and score for Justin Stearns. Luke Drzewiecki opened the scoring for UNM with a season-long 41 yard field goal.
Postgame Notes
This was the 21st meeting between the two teams.
San Jose State now leads 15-5-1 in the series
San Jose State now leads 7-3 in Albuquerque
San Jose State leads 8-2-1 in San Jose
San Jose State has now three straight in the series, and one straight in Albuquerque.
Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep
Offense: Isaiah Sillemon started at RG for Shancco “Ise” Matautia. Wyatt McClour was the offensive player who didn’t start.
Defense: None
*New Mexico’s captains were Dylan Hopkins, Syaire Riley, Tavian Combs and Jeremiah Hixon.
*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 San Jose State and deferred. UNM elected to receive and defend the North goal. It marked the 35th time in 37 games under Danny Gonzales that UNM has received the opening kickoff.
Postgame Press Conference: Head Coach Danny Gonzales
TEAM NOTES:
*New Mexico wore its red jerseys and San Jose State wore yellow jerseys. This was done as a reciprocal to the 2020 game, which was slated to be played in Albuquerque but moved to San Jose due to COVID. Since it was originally UNM’s home game, the Lobos wore red jerseys and San Jose State wore blue. This time SJSU opted for yellow.
*UNM held San Jose State scoreless in the first quarter, the third time this season that UNM has done that (New Mexico State and UMass).
*San Jose State’s touchdown to open the third quarter was the first time UNM has allowed a touchdown on the opening third quarter drive this season.
*The loss was the 14th consecutive conference loss, and with Houston winning on a Hail Mary on Thursday, that is the longest conference losing streak in the nation. UNM has also lost 20 consecutive conference games at home, last winning inside University Stadium on September 30, 2017 when the team beat Air Force 56-38.
*New Mexico allowed two 100-yard rushers for the first time since 11/17/2022 when Air Force’s Brad Robert had 163 and Haaziq Daniels had 113.
*New Mexico didn’t record an interception for a sixth straight game this season and seventh straight overall. UNM, Arizona State and UTSA are the three teams without an interception this season.
*The 531 yards allowed by UNM was the most this season. The previous high was 495 in the overtime win at UMass.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
*Luke Drzewiecki’s 41-yard field goal to open the scoring was his longest field goal of the season.
*Ryan Davis’ 41-yard first quarter reception was the longest of his career, including his time at UAB. His previous long was a 36-yard catch against Georgia Southern last season.
*The blocked punt against Aaron Rodriguez was the fourth time in his career he has suffered a block. All four have been returned for touchdowns, and the other three were all by Boise State and all were recovered in the end zone.
*Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s second quarter touchdown was his eighth of the season and it’s the most by a Lobo since Richard McQuarley scored 18 in the 2016 season.
*Dylan Hopkins’ first 10 completions went to 10 different receivers. Overall, 11 receivers caught a pass.
*Devon Dampier was 5-for-6 passing for 75 yards and a touchdown. UNM quarterbacks went 18-for-30 for 262 yards.
*UNM played most of the second half without Donte Martin, who was injured on a blindside block late in the first half.