ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Fresno State took an early lead and never let UNM into the game, despite a solid effort, as the Bulldogs moved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Mountain West with a 31-10 victory over UNM, the seventh straight win in Albuquerque over UNM for the Bulldogs.  The Lobos dropped to 0-4 and 0-1 in the Mountain West.

The Lobos head on the road next week to take on rival New Mexico State in Las Cruces.

UNM’s defense opened the game with a three-and-out, forcing an early punt by the Bulldogs, but UNM coughed the ball up.  On third down, Eli Sanders went around the end for a first down but the ball was punched out and recovered at the Lobo 39-yard line.  The defense held tough, but Fresno State eventually scored on the 10^th play of the drive on a 5-yard toss from Mikey Keene to Josiah Freeman, and then Fresno State ran the swinging gate for a two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

UNM then went right down the field, going 73 yards on 14 plays, but UNM couldn’t punch it in on first-and-goal from the 10-yard line when on third down Devon Dampier’s scramble only got to the three-yard line.  Fresno State responded with a touchdown to go up 15-3, and eventually the Bulldogs went up 25-3 when a trick play halfback pass turned into a 26-yard touchdown with 1:24 to go in the half.

UNM started its next drive at the 7-yard line, but moved all the way down the field, scoring on a 5-yard Dampier to Trace Bruckler pass for a 25-10 deficit with six seconds left in the half.  UNM then got the ball to start the third quarter, but couldn’t move it.  Eventually Fresno State kicked a field goal, and then UNM, down 28-10, got hurt with a pair of penalties.

First, a holding call nullified a 58-yard Dampier to Nic Trujillo score that would have made it 28-16 with the conversion pending in the third quarter.  After that was marked off, UNM continued down the field and a Dampier scramble to the half-yard line was nullified by another holding penalty, and UNM had to settle for a second Luke Drzewiecki field goal.

After a stop, UNM in desperation mode down 28-13 went for a fourth-and-1 at its own 12-yard line and couldn’t convert.  Fresno State eventually punched that one in, somehow getting three first downs due to penalties, giving the Bulldogs a 35-13 lead.

After UNM got a 1-yard run by Javen Jacobs and then a two-point conversion run by backup quarterback James Laubstein, UNM looked to have recovered an onside kick, but Isaiah Chavez was called for being offside, although all replays showed otherwise. A second onside was almost recovered by UNM again, but Fresno State knocked it out of bounds, and Fresno State added a late field goal to close the scoring.

UNM outgained the Bulldogs 485 to 345, the 345 being the lowest output allowed by UNM this season.

Wide Receiver Luke Wysong

Safety Christian Ellis

Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall

Postgame Notes

This was 22nd meeting between the two teams.

Fresno State now leads the series 17-5

Fresno State now leads the series 8-3 in Albuquerque

Fresno State leads the series 9-2 in Fresno

New Mexico leads the series 1-0 in Las Vegas

Fresno State has won one straight in the series, Fresno State has won seven straight in Albuquerque

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: No changes.

Defense: Devin Brandt-Epps started for Bryce Santana (NT).

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

*New Mexico’s Nic Trujillo carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Aaron Smith carried the United States flag.

*New Mexico won the toss and elected to defer. Fresno State received and defended the South goal.

TEAM NOTES:

*The Lobos wore red jerseys and pants for the first time this season.

*UNM’s defense forced a three-and-out on the opening possession, UNM’s first three-and-out to start a game this season.  Opponents has scored TDs on the last two opening drives (Arizona and Auburn).

*The Lobos honored Robin Cole at the end of the first quarter unveiling his name in the Ring of Honor.

*UNM’s 93-yard touchdown drive to end the first half was the longest drive of the season, and it took just 1:12 off the clock.

*UNM’s three turnovers were its most since suffering three against Nevada last year.

*One week after 16 penalties against Auburn, UNM was whistled for a school-record tying 17 penalties for 128 yards.  The 33 penalties over the last two games is the most by UNM in back-to-back games in school history.

*New Mexico’s offensive line did not allow a sack for a fourth straight game.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Luke Drzewiecki accounted for UNM’s first points with a 20-yard field goal.

*Jayden Wilson was ejected for targeting in the second quarter, marking the second time that has happened this year. A third targeting penalty would trigger an automatic one-game suspension.  Wilson is eligible to play against New Mexico State next week.

*Devon Dampier threw a touchdown pass (5-yards to Trace Bruckler) that gave him six for the season, equaling his total of a year ago. He also has touchdown passes in his last six games dating back to last season.

*The 0-4 start is the first in the career of Bronco Mendenhall.

*Devon Dampier has thrown at least two interceptions in each of the last three games.

*Luke Wysong set a career-high with 10 receptions, and his 126 yards were second-most, it was the first double-digit reception game since Ty Kirk has 11 against New Mexico State on October 1, 2011.

*Devon Dampier’s 338 yards passing was a career-high and the first 300-yard game since Terry Wilson threw for 381 vs. New Mexico State on 9/11/2021.

*Dampier’s 405 yards of total offense just missed the single-game top-10 list for total offense.  Carson Kelly had 410 against UNLV in 2003 for 10^th on the all-time list.

*Dampier’s 33 completions were tied for the second-most in a single game in school history, tying Billy Garrison, who had 33 against San Diego State on 9/27/1986.  The most is 41 by Jeremy Leach on 11/11/1989 against Utah in the game in which he went 41-for-68 for 622 yards.

*Luke Wysong is now at 30 receptions for the season.  His career-high is 35 set as a sophomore in 2022.