FORT COLLINS, Colo. — New Mexico’s record-setting offense could never capitalize when it needed to, suffering from untimely penalties, a missed field goal and costly fumble inside the five-yard line and four turnovers overall as UNM’s three-game winning streak ended at the hands of Colorado State, falling 17-6 in Fort Collins.  It ran CSU’s winning streak to 13 straight over UNM.

The Lobos dropped to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West and UNM hosts Wyoming at 2 pm at University Stadium on Saturday.  Colorado State moved to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West.

The loss dampened a terrific outing by the Lobo defense, which allowed just 10 points and just 334, it fewest allowed this year.  The only touchdown came after a 30-yard Luke Drzewiecki field goal when Caleb Goodie hauled in a 46-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, but that was the only offensive touchdown for Colorado State.  The Lobo defense forced a punt on every drive of the second half until the Rams took a knee with under a minute left.

After a drive in which UNM looked like it was moving into the Colorado State down 7-3, Devon Dampier was called for an illegal forward pass, turning a 15-yard gain into a third-and-10.  Dampier was then sacked and Aaron Rodriguez’ ensuing punt was returned 82 yards for a touchdown by Kobe Johnson for a 14-3 lead.  The Rams tacked on a 47-yard field goal at the end of the half.

From there, the Lobo defense came up with stop after stop, and UNM just could never cash in.  On the opening drive of the second half, UNM moved right down the field to end up with third-and-goal at the 1-yard line, but a false start moved UNM back and Dampier fumbled on the next snap.  After a three-and-out, UNM again was in Colorado State territory and convert a third-and-3 at the 34-yard line but a holding penalty moved UNM back, although it did eventually convert on fourth down.  That drive ended in Drzewiecki’s second field goal of the game, this from 44 to make it 17-6.

A second straight three-and-out gave UNM the ball, and again UNM moved into CSU territory.  UNM took two shots to the end zone and from the 26, the Lobos ended up not scoring when Drzewiecki missed a 43-yard field goal.  After a punt to the 1-yard line, the Lobos got to midfield before punting, and twice in the fourth quarter the Lobos drove into CSU territory but Dampier threw interceptions on both drives.

Penalties were both plentiful for UNM, but they were untimely, and almost exclusively on the offense.  Driving for a potential score in the second quarter, a face mask on the offense moved them out of field goal range, and then on a 52-yard attempt for Drzewiecki, a substitution penalty moved UNM out of range.  Overall UNM had 10 penalties with nine on offense and one on the field goal attempt.

Postgame Notes

This was 70th meeting between the two teams.

Colorado State now leads the series 45-25

Colorado State now leads the series 21-11 in Fort Collins

Colorado State leads the series 22-14 in Albuquerque

Colorado State leads the series 2-0 in Denver

Colorado State has won 13 straight in the series and eight straight in Fort Collins.

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: Isaiah Sillemon started at tight end for Nic Trujillo.

Defense: Bryce Santana started at nose for Kyler Drake.

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

*New Mexico’s Niko Bohler carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Hyrum Hatch carried the United States flag.

*New Mexico won the toss and deferred.  Colorado State received while defending the west goal.

TEAM NOTES:

*New Mexico’s three first half points were a season low for a half, and it marked the second straight game that UNM did not score in the first quarter.

*The Lobos shutout a team for the first time in the second half this season.

*The Lobos played the game without Javen Jacobs, Na’Quari Rogers, Caleb Medford and Luke Wysong, accounting for 715 yards rushing and 993 yards in receiving, for 1,708 of offense.

*The first 10 penalties called on the Lobos were all on the offense, with one being on a field goal attempt.

*Overall UNM outgained Colorado State 453 to 334, but suffered four turnovers for a second straight game.

*New Mexico did not allow a point off a turnover in the game.

*The 82-yard punt return was the first punt return for a touchdown against UNM since September 2, 2021 when Tyson Thompson of Houston Baptist (now Houston Christian) returned one 44 yards for a score.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Luke Wysong got hurt on a first drive pass interference play and missed most of the game, ending his streak of leading the team in receiving.

*Michael Buckley had career-highs of seven receptions and 90 yards.  He entered the game with zero catches over three seasons.

*Ryan Davis had a career-high nine catches for a career-high 146 yards.

*Devon Dampier had his second 300-yard passing day with 319 yards.  Overall he had 370 yards of total offense.

*Bryson Taylor’s pass breakup was his 11^th of the season.

*Luke Drzewiecki’s two field goals gave him 30 for his career, and he is now sixth on the all-time made field goals list.

*Drzewiecki is now 10-for-14 on field goals.  As a freshman he finished the season 10-for-14 on field goals, and as a sophomore he finished that season 10-for-14 on field goals.