10 Great Rio Grande Rivalry Games
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With New Mexico getting ready for the trip down south to take on rival New Mexico State in the 114th edition of the Rio Grande Rivalry, here is a look back at some great Lobo moments in the series that UNM leads 73-35-5.
A reminder fans can watch the game online at ESPN+, and Robert Portnoy and DonTrell Moore will have the call on the Lobo Radio Network.
Sept. 15, 2018: New Mexico State opened with a touchdown and then got a short touchdown drive after Sheriron Jones threw an interception on a screen pass and UNM was down 14-0 after 3:41. But the defense led the way with five interceptions as UNM took a 42-25 win. Tyrone Owens rushed for 110 yards and Marcus Hayes clinched the win with a pick-6.
Sept. 16, 1972: Opening against your rival is a fun, exciting way to start the season. What Fred Henry did ramped that up a notch. Henry took the opening kickoff in the end zone, and zigged and zagged his way to a 100-yard kickoff return to give UNM a 7-0 lead on the first play of the 1972 season as UNM went on to a 51-21 victory over the Aggies. It was UNM’s first 100-yard kickoff return in school history, and it was the fastest score to open a season (12 seconds) until 2018.
Sept. 20, 2014: In a back-and-forth affair that saw UNM score touchdowns on two trick plays, it was a freshman-to-freshman connection that won the game. In the second quarter UNM scored on a fake field goal by holder Quinton McCown and on a halfback pass from David Anaya to Jeric Magnant, but UNM still trailed 35-31 with 4:41 to go. Redshirt freshman Lamar Jordan led the winning drive, converting a fourth-and-3 along the way, as UNM won 38-35. The winning touchdown was Jordan to fellow freshman and a New Mexico native in Reece White from five yards out with 27 seconds left.
Sept. 14, 1985: Terance Mathis victimized a lot of teams, but he did so to New Mexico State in a big way. He had 161 yards receiving and Tori Brown had 117 in a 34-27 win in Las Cruces. Mathis had a 74-yard touchdown reception in the first half and Brown had an 84-yarder to give UNM a 20-10 halftime lead. NMSU scored 17 in the third to take a 27-20 lead but Mathis caught his second TD of the game late in the third, this from 58 yards out, and Willie Turral gave UNM the win with 6:25 to go.
October 5, 2013: The Lobos got a 100-yard kickoff return from Carlos Wiggins and Kasey Carrier scored three first quarter touchdowns as UNM ran up, down and all around New Mexico State in the “Rout 66 Game” as the Lobos won 66-17 giving UNM a sweep of NMSU and UTEP, which is beat 42-35 in overtime earlier in the season.
October 12, 1946: The longest span of years without a Rio Grande Rivalry game ended when UNM’s lone touchdown and all-important extra point was enough for a 7-6 win. That win was the sixth in a row for UNM over New Mexico State, part of a 20-game winning streak in the series. The two teams did not play from 1943-45 due to World War II.
September 21, 2019: In a game coached by Saga Tuitele, who was serving as the acting head coach for Bob Davie, UNM and New Mexico State combined for 107 points, the sixth-most in Lobo history as UNM won a wild game 55-52. UNM was up 55-38 in the fourth, but NMSU scored back-to-back touchdowns. Facing fourth-and-1 at the NMSU 44, Tuitele rolled the dice and Ahmari Davis carried tacklers for a game-clinching 10-yard gain.
Sept. 6, 2006: Reeling after a shocking loss to Portland State the week before, UNM bounced back with three Marcus Smith touchdown catches in a 34-28 win. UNM led 34-14 before NMSU tried to rally later, with two late TDs as NMSU threw 57 times and amassed 473 yards through the air. The win was a critical first win in UNM eventually qualifying for the first New Mexico Bowl.
November 2, 1974: Trailing 24-23, New Mexico kick Bob Berg hit a 23-yard field goal with 0:02 on the clock to give UNM a 26-23 win, ruining NMSU’s chance at a winning season. The field goal was the second late field goal by Berg, who hit a walk-off 43-yarder against Wyoming the year before.
September 29, 1979: Sharay Fields turned in one of the greatest defensive performances in the history of Lobo football. Fields picked off four passes, nearly single-handedly wrecking any NMSU offense. His four picks paved the way for a 30-16 victory for UNM.