BOISE, Idaho — New Mexico started true freshman quarterback Devon Dampier and he led the offense well, but a late first half fumble was a crushing blow in UNM’s attempt to keep up with Boise State’s offense, and the Lobos eventually fell 42-14 in Boise, the seventh straight win by the Broncos in the series.

Dampier became the third true freshman to start a game in the Gonzales era, and he did so as Dylan Hopkins missed the game with a non-COVID related illness (strep throat).  He is expected to be back for the Fresno State game.

Boise State took the opening kickoff and went down the field quickly, with Maddux Madsen hitting Austin Bolt for a 41-yard touchdown pass.  Boise State then ran the swinging gate play for a two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.  UNM under Dampier went three-and-out but UNM held and forced a punt.  That’s when Dampier went to work.  He moved UNM down the field, going 5-for-5 on the drive with Jacory Croskey-Merritt racing in from five yards out to put UNM down 8-7.

Boise State responded with a George Holani 10-yard run, but UNM came right back as Dampier against led UNM down the field.  The big play was a 59-yard pass from Dampier to Caleb Medford.  Dampier also made good use of tight end Trace Bruckler, who tied his career-high for catches with four during the drive.

Croskey-Merritt wiggled through a seam for a second 5-yard touchdown to make it 15-14, but the Broncos got that right back on a defensive mixup, allowing Prince Strachan to go uncovered for a 74-yard pitch-and-catch and a 22-14 lead.  Boise State scored again when Taylen Green entered at quarterback and raced 19 yards for a touchdown.

Down 29-14, UNM had a golden opportunity to score right before the half and then get the second half kickoff, but Croskey-Merritt in fighting for extra yardage fumbled at the Bronco 6-yard line, and Boise State turned that into a half-ending field goal.

Down 32-14, UNM opened the half with a missed 46-yard field goal, and Boise State took the ball and scored on a second Holani touchdown, this time from a yard out to make it 39-14.

UNM again drove into Bronco territory, but that drive ended on a fourth down sack, and Boise State drove down the field after that for a 44-yard field goal from Jonah Dalmas for a 42-14 lead.  The two teams traded punting the ball over the final 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Overall, UNM didn’t have a real answer for the Bronco offense which scored on seven of its first eight drives in the contest.  The Lobos gained 323 yards in the game, but allowed 484 to Boise State.

Postgame Notes

This was the 14th meeting between the two teams.

Boise State now leads 13-1 in the series

Boise State now leads 7-1 in Boise

Boise State leads 6-0 in Albuquerque

Boise State has now seven straight in the series, and four straight in Boise.

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: Devon Dampier started at QB for Dylan Hopkins. Devon Smith started at RT for DJ Wingfield. Jeremiah Hixon was the skill player that didn’t start

Defense: Derreck Moore started at LOBO for Tavian Combs. Aaron Smith started at WOLF for Jermarius Lewis.

*New Mexico’s captains were JC Davis, Syaire Riley, Alec 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.

*UNM won the toss and deferred.  It was UNM’s third deferral of the season. UNM has opened with the ball in 37 of 42 games in the Danny Gonzales era.

TEAM NOTES:

*Lobo opponents are now 3-for-3 on two-point conversions after the Broncos ran a trick play on the opening touchdown conversion try.

*New Mexico dropped to 1-7 all-time in Albertsons Stadium.

*UNM’s offensive line three sacks in the game after allowing three in the previous four games combined.

*New Mexico recorded 254 of its 323 in the first half.

*New Mexico did not record a takeaway for the eighth time in 10 games this season.  The Lobos entered the game with six takeaways, tied for the third-fewest in the FBS.  UNM had two takeaways against Tennessee Tech and four against Hawai’i.

*Boise State’s 42 points scored tied its season-high, and that marked the third straight game in which a Lobo opponent equaled or set a season-high in points.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Devon Dampier became the first true freshman to start at quarterback since October 16, 2021 when CJ Montes started against Colorado State at University Stadium in a 36-7 loss.  The last true freshman to start at win at quarterback in his first attempt was Isaiah Chavez, who started in December 12, 2020 against Fresno State in a 49-39 win in Las Vegas.

*Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s two rushing touchdowns were his 15th overall and 14th rushing TDs of the season.  He moved into a tie for fourth on the UNM single-season rushing TD list, and he is tied for sixth on the overall rushing touchdown list.

*Dampier at one point in the game completed 13 consecutive passes over the span of three quarters.

*Donte Martin broke up a third quarter pass to give him 30, one away from tying the career record of 31 set by Glover Quin.

*Dampier was a career-high 17-for-26 and he threw for a career-high 200 yards in the game.   His previous high was 75 yards against San Jose State.  That was also his previous high for attempts and completions.  On the season he was 15-for-23 for 189 yards.

*Tavian Combs didn’t play for a fourth straight game.