AUBURN, Ala. — New Mexico threw a critical interception in the third quarter on a fourth-and-5 and UNM couldn’t capitalize in the red zone in the first half and Auburn was able to outlast the Lobos 45-19 in a game that was playing in the rain for most of the game.  Auburn pulled away after halftime in a game that was just 17-13 Tigers at the break.

UNM had four first half drives in the red zone but only got 13 points on a touchdown and two field goals.  UNM opened the game with a 60-yard drive that led to a 33-yard Luke Drzewiecki field goal.  UNM missed a shot at an early touchdown when Devon Dampier, who threw for a career-high 291 yards in the game, just missed a diving Luke Wysong in the end zone.  It marked the second straight game in which Dampier threw for a career-high.

Auburn got a 66-yard kickoff return to the UNM 32, and the Tigers took nine plays to get into the end zone for a 7-3 lead.  The Loibos answered right back with its lone touchdown drive of the opening half.  A 3-yard Naquari Rogers touchdown was set up by a wild over-the-shoulder catch from Caleb Medford on a season-long 42-yard reception.  The Lobos ran a version of the swinging gate and Justin Holaday ran the ball in for a two-point conversion, but a motion penalty negated that, so UNM was up 10-7.

Auburn eventually scored on its next two possessions for a 17-10 lead, sandwiched around a richochet interception for the Tigers.  UNM went down and got a second Drzewiecki field goal to make it 17-13, but could have had six as a long pass from Dampier to Jacobs was a little behind the running back, and he adjusted to make the catch but got caught from behind.

After a three-and-out, UNM again drove into the red zone, but Drzewiecki missed a 37-yard field goal in a driving rain storm as the game got sloppy due to the conditions. 

After the break at 17-13 Auburn, the Tigers took the second half kickoff and went 75 yards in 10 plays with Hunter Brown tossing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Micah Riley.  UNM drove the field but on fourth-and-5 from the 25-yard line, Bronco Mendenhall passed on a field goal and went for it, but a pass to Ryan Davis had its timing thrown off when he was clipped by a defender, and the pass was intercepted, eventually leading to a touchdown and a 31-13 lead.

The Lobos got back in it early in the fourth when Caleb Medford hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass from Dampier to make it 31-19, missing on a two-point conversion.  Auburn then gave itself breathing room with a third straight second half touchdown after a long kickoff return to the UNM 43 set up a short field, with a third Hank Brown touchdown pass making it 38-19, and a fourth quarter TD after a missed fourth down conversion made it the final of 45-19.

UNM gained 448 yards on offense and allowed 503 but were hampered by a 16 penalties, third-most in school history, although they went for just 112 total.

Postgame Notes

This was first meeting between the two teams.

Auburn leads the series 1-0

Auburn leads the series 1-0 in Auburn

Auburn has won one straight in the series, one straight in Auburn

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: Javen Jacobs started at running back for Eli Sanders, Caleb Medford started at receiver for Nic Trujillo.

Defense: Moso Tuitle started at end for Okiki Olorunfunmi; Nigel Williams started at corner for Bobby Arnold.

*New Mexico’s captains were Gabe Lopez, Luke Wysong, Richard Pearce and Noah Avinger.

*New Mexico’s Josh Perry carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Jayden Wilson carried the United States flag.

*New Mexico won the toss and elected to receive the kickoff. Auburn defended the North goal.

TEAM NOTES:

*The Lobos wore white helmets for the first time since November 30, 2019 when UNM lost 38-25 to Utah State.

*The first sack allowed by UNM came on an intentional grounding on a trick play.

*Auburn started three drives in UNM territory, two after long kickoff returns and one on an interception scoring 17 points.

*New Mexico forced a fumble late in the first half when Christian Ellis popped a ball loose and Gabe Lopez recovered.  It marked UNM’s first red zone stop of the season.

*The Lobos dropped to 0-9 in games vs. the SEC.

*New Mexico has recorded two takeaways in each game this season for six total.  It had eight all last year.  UNM did not score off either takeaway for the first time this season.

*UNM finally had a kickoff return, with Luke Wysong going for 22 yards.  Every other kickoff this season has been a touchback against UNM.

*UNM’s 16 penalties was one off the school record, and it tied the most-ever in a road contest for UNM.  The only other time UNM had 16 penalties on the road was on 9/18/1998 at New Mexico State and 11/14/2015 at Boise State.  The school record of 17 has happened twice.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Luke Wysong’s first quarter rush was his first since November 25, 2022.  He did not log a carry last year.  Overall he had three rushes for 22 yards.

*Antoineo Harris, Jr. made his first appearance of the season, and on his third play had a tackle for loss.  He tied for the team lead with two on the night.

*Bryson Taylor had a career-high three pass breakups.  The three equaled his career total of three, accomplished over his first 23 career games.  Taylor also now has five PBUs in the last two games.

*Ryan Davis had a career-high 100 yards receiving.  His previous high was 59 yards against Wyoming on 9/30/23.

*Devin Dampier’s 291 yards was the most since September 11, 2021 when Terry Wilson threw for 381 yards against New Mexico State.  His 44 attempts were a career-high.

*Luke Wysong recovered a muffed punt for his first career takeaway.