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By the Numbers: New Mexico hosting Washington State

by Frank Mercogliano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As New Mexico gets ready to host No. 19/18 Washington State on Saturday night at 7:35 pm, here 10 numbers to get you ready for the game.


0.1 – That’s the number of yards per game difference in total offense between Washington State’s sophomore quarterback John Mateer (329.1 yards per game) and New Mexico’s sophomore quarterback Devon Dampier (329.0 yards per game).  Mateer is currently ranked No. 5 among all FBS players in total offense, and Dampier is ranked No. 6 in the country.


3 – That’s the number of conference wins that New Mexico has this season, which equals the number of conference wins UNM has over the last three seasons.  The Lobos are 3-3 in 2024 after going 3-21 from 2021-23.


5 – That’s the number of games in a row that UNM has won when the Lobos do not attempt a field goal, and odd stat that encompasses 2023 and 2024, as UNM is 5-0 in such games, having beated Tennessee Tech, UMass and Hawai’i in 2023 and Utah State and San Diego State in 2024.


14 – That’s the number of rushing touchdowns of 20 yards or more, and that is the most of any FBS team.  Eli Sanders has seven, Dampier has five, Javen Jacobs has one and Na’Quari Rogers has one.  That stat was courtesy PFF.


20 – That’s the number of years since UNM and Washington State played each other.  The Cougars won that game 21-17 in 2004.


38 – That’s the number of different starters used by UNM in 2024.


84 – That’s the number of years since New Mexico has defeated a non-conference opponent that was ranked in the top-20.  UNM, which has lost 26 straight to ranked teams and is 6-61 all-time against ranked opponents, defeated Texas Tech 19-14 at Zimmerman Field (which was in its third season) on November 30, 1940.


221 – That’s the number of consecutive extra points made against UNM, a sort of silly long streak that dates back to October 19, 2019.


479.8 – That’s the number of yards UNM is averaging in total offense, which would be the best mark ever for UNM.  The 1994 team averaged 472.0 yards per game, and that is the current mark.


5,495 – The amount of days since UNM’s last blocked punt, the longest skid in the FBS.  UNM last blocked a punt on October 31, 2009.  Hyrum McCarter, the youngest player on the Lobo roster, was just three years old when that happened.