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Lobos Hang Tough, fall to No. 14 Michigan 34-17

Lobos Hang Tough, fall to No. 14 Michigan 34-17Lobos Hang Tough, fall to No. 14 Michigan 34-17

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of New Mexico Lobos stood tall against the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines, trailing by 10 entering the fourth quarter before falling 34-17 in front of a crowd of 110,648, the 324th consecutive Michigan game with over 100,000 in attendance.

The game marked the debut of Head Coach Jason Eck, who was leading the Lobos after three seasons at Idaho. With the Vandals, he built a reputation for playing well against FBS teams and nationally-ranked opponents, and he continued that against one of the most storied programs in college football.

The Wolverines didn’t put the game away until 6:54 left in the fourth quarter when UNM was down 34-17 and quarterback Jack Layne got hit as he threw, resulting in an interception at the Michigan 3-yard line. That was the third of three interceptions for the new Lobo quarterback, but Layne showed his grit, going 31-for-47 for 208 yards. The Lobos got a fourth-down stop in Lobo territory and drove to the Michigan three, but Layne was sacked as time ran out.

Down 24-10 at the break, the Lobos got the second half kickoff but couldn’t muster anything, and Michigan was able to drive for a 39-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada to make it 27-10. The Lobos responded with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The big play was a 20-yard diving catch right on the Michigan sideline by Michael Buckley to convert a third-and-9. UNM also converted a third-and-6 with a 9-yard catch by Thomas.

Layne and Thomas converted a final third down on third-and-goal as Layne hit Thomas in the back of the end zone to make it 27-17 with 1:34 left in the third.  The Lobos then forced a three-and-out and took over on their 41-yard line, but UNM couldn’t get a first down, and Layne threw deep and was intercepted on fourth down.  Michigan then took over and went 80 yards in six plays, keyed by a 59-yard run by Justice Haynes to the 1-yard line. Haynes punched it from a yard out with 10:14 to go for a 34-17 lead that ended the scoring.

Things did not start well for New Mexico as Michigan scored touchdowns on its first two drives. The Wolverines took the opening kickoff and got an explosive play to finish off the opening drive as Haynes took a handoff, cut right, and went 56 yards for a touchdown. After a three-and-out, Michigan went right back to work. After a 53-yard punt that was muffed and nearly recovered by UNM, the Wolverines went 73 yards in 13 plays, capped off by a second Haynes touchdown, this one from six yards out.

UNM survived a potential disaster after a Layne pass hit offensive lineman Richard Pearce’s helmet, bounced in the air, and was picked off at the Lobo 17-yard line. The defense held and forced a field goal, making the score 17-0 in favor of Michigan.

However, after that, the offense got on track. Taking over at their own 12, the Lobos put together an 82-yard scoring drive. Layne hit Thomas and Keagan Johnson for first downs, and then UNM converted a third down on a free play that turned into pass interference on Michigan.

The Lobos got inside the red zone but faced fourth-and-1 at the Michigan nine. Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner dipped into the back of the playbook and got a 9-yard touchdown pass from a direct snap to D.J. McKinney that resulted in a touchdown catch by Dorian Thomas.

On the ensuing kickoff, Randolph Kpai forced a fumble that kicker Charles Steinkamp recovered, and the Lobos turned that into a 44-yard Luke Drzewiecki field goal.

Michigan made it 24-10 at the break after a two-minute drill resulted in a Bryce Underwood to Marlin Klein touchdown pass.

Postgame Notes

This was the first meeting between the two teams.

Michigan now leads the overall series 1-0

Michigan now leads the series in Ann Arbor 1-0

Michigan has a one-game winning streak in the series, and a one-game winning streak in Ann Arbor.

Starting lineup changes for UNM from the published two-deep

Offense: Jack Layne started at quarterback for Lawrence Whatley Bourne III. Scottre Humphrey started at running back for Forrest Gump. Dorian Thomas started at tight end for Jimmy Duggan. Zhaiel Smith, Keagan Johnson and Michael Buckley started at receiver for Allen Bauer, Josh Baskin and Andrew Beckett. Malik Aliana started at LT for Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Israel “Mook” Mukwiza started at RG for Det. Pep Streebek. Kaden Robnett started at C for Otto Anderson. Richard Pearce started at RG for Carl Hanratty. Tyler Lawrence started at RT for Det. Scott Turner.

Defense: Keyshawn James-Newby and Brett Karhu started at DE for Ethan Hunt and Lt. Daniel Kaffee. Gabe Lopez and Brian Booker started at DT for Jack Reacher and Les Grossman. Jaxton Eck and Ky’Won McCray started at LB for Cpt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Chief John Anderton. Abraham Williams and Jon Johnson started at CB for Stefan Djordjevic and Mjr. William “Bill” Cage. Caleb Coleman, Austin Brawley and Tavian Combs started at S for Vincent Lauria, Jerry McGuire, Ray Ferrier.

*New Mexico’s captains were Richard Pearce, Gabe Lopez, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Austin Brawley.

*New Mexico’s David Murphy carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Scottre Humphrey carried the United States flag.

*New Mexico won the toss and deferred. Michigan received the opening kickoff and defended the south goal.

TEAM NOTES:

*The 110,648 for the game was the largest crowd ever to watch the New Mexico Lobos play a game. The previous high was 100,990 on September 12, 2012, the second game of the Bob Davie era, a 45-0 loss at Texas.

*New Mexico’s defense allowed 151 yards on Michigan’s first two drives, both touchdowns, and then allowed 42 on the next three, including just 14 when Michigan started a drive at the Lobo 17-yard line.

*New Mexico was the most penalized team in the nation last year with 119 penalties. Against Michigan, the Lobos were whistled for just one, a false start.

*New Mexico oddly had two players, Jack Layne and D.J. McKinney throw a pass, complete a pass, catch a pass, and run the ball.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Daniel Hughes’ first career punt went 53 yards and was muffed, although Michigan recovered the ball. He ended up averaging 47.8 yards per punt with three of 50+ yards and one inside the 10.

*D.J. McKinney’s 9-yard touchdown pass was the first career passing attempt for the running back.

*Kickoff specialist Charles Steinkamp, who was put on scholarship on Thursday, recovered a fumble forced by Randolph Kpai, his first career fumble recovery.

*Tavian Combs recorded nine tackles to lead UNM, just missing his eighth career double-digit tackle game. It would have been his first since September 23, 2023 when he had 14 against Massachusetts in Amhearst.

*Thomas recorded two touchdown receptions. In 2024, the Lobos never had a player record two touchdowns in a game.

*Thomas’ 10 receptions are the most by a New Mexico Lobo tight end in the Mountain West era (1999-present)

*Luke Drzewiecki moved into sixth place on the career PAT list for UNM with 86, passing David Margolis, who hit 85.

*Drzewiecki also moved into fifth place alone on the career field goal list with his 34th, breaking a tie with Kenny Byrd.

*Jack Layne caught his own deflected pass, good for a three-yard gain.

*Layne’s 31 completions and 47 attempts were both career highs. He threw for 208 yards, his fifth consecutive game of 200 or more yards passing.

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