Defense Wins Spring Game 32-23

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M — The night started with nearly 200 little kids running around University Stadium’s turf having the time of their lives at the Lobo Football free kids clinic.  Ironically, the night ended with the Lobo team running around University Stadium, having the time of their lives celebrating one of their teammates.  In between, the Lobo defense got a late first half takeaway and evnough big plays to edge out the offense 32-23 in the Spring Game in front of a large crowd that thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings.

As for the celebration at the end?  That came after head coach Jason Eck met with the team and announced his players of the game.  For the offense, walk-on running back Rey Iwai, one of just three Japanese citizens playing football in the FBS, mad ethe most of his first Spring Game opportunity in three years, with two long runs, including a 29-yard touchdown, to earn offensive player of the day.  Randolph Kpai, UNM’s hard-hitting returning linebacker got the defensive nod after forcing a fumbler that the defense recovered with four seconds left that gave the defense the lead for good.

The last award is the Hammer, for the Best of the Best on the day, and that was reserved for kicker Luke Drzewiecki, who nailed a 43-yard field goal into a fierce wind to finish off a terrific camp.  Drizz as his teammates called him came to UNM as a true freshman walk-on in 2022 under former head coach Danny Gonzales.  He was the first true freshman to lead UNM in in 37 years (since 1985), and he remained the starter through his sophomore and junior seasons, despite a head coaching change.

On Friday night, Coach Eck presented the hammer to Drzewiecki and said to him and the team, “Luke you got yourself the Hammer, and congratulations, because you got yourself a scholarship!”  With that, the team erupted, hoisted Drzewiecki on their shoulders, and the celebration was on, making for a fun autograph session after the game.

First Quarter
7:45 – Forced Punt for 1 point
6:38 – Ray Iwei 29 run (kick blocked)
6:38 – Blocked extra point for 1 point
6:21 – TFL for 1 point (Gabe Lopez)
4:04 – Forced Punt for 1 point
3:50 – TFL for 1 point (Xavier Slayton)
2:04 – Forced Punt for 1 point
0:00 – Forced Punt for 1 point

Second Quarter
7:49 – TFL for 1 point (Jawaun Singletary)
5:45 – TFL on 4th down for 3 points (Josh Perry)
5:01 – TFL for 1 point (Darren Agu)
1:38 – TFL for 1 point (Elijah Brody)
0:50 – Scottre Humphrey 39 run (Luke Drzewiecki kick)
0:04 – Jayden Sheridan fumble recovery for 6 points

Third Quarter
8:54 – TFL for 1 point (Slayton)
8:04 – Forced Punt on three and out for 2 points
7:00 – Fourth down stop with three and out for 4 points|
2:51 – TFL for 1 point (Max Lantzsch)
2:45 – Drzewiecki 43 FG

Fourth Quarter
6:47 – TFL and fourth down stop for 1 point (Sa’Kylee Woodard)
5:40 – Forced Punt for 1 point
4:10 – Forced Punt for 1 point
0:38 – Takeshi Faupula 2 run (Drzewiecki kick)