ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico got back-to-back touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, giving New Mexico a hard-fought 32-22 win over a pesky Idaho State squad, the same squad that nearly knocked off one of the conference favorites in UNLV in Week 0. The win was the first at UNM for head coach Jason Eck, who is now 27-14 all-time after three seasons at Idaho.

For the Lobos, UNM got a big game from Scottre Humphrey, who rushed for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, Jaxton Eck was everywhere with 15 tackles, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry.

Up 14-10 at the half, Idaho State opened the second half with a surprise onside kick, which Aaron Smith recovered. However, UNM went four-and-out, missing a fourth-down conversion. Idaho State converted that into a Trajan Sinatra 56-yard field goal, tying for the longest field goal in University Stadium history.

The Lobos went three-and-out after that, and Idaho State got a third Sinatra field goal, this from 33 yards, and the Bengals took their first lead at 17-16 with 5:25 to go in the third. UNM answered right back, getting started with a 49-yard kickoff return from Damon Bankston to give UNM the ball in ISU territory. The Lobos couldn’t punch it in on first-and-goal, but Luke Drzewiecki got the lead back with a 21-yard field goal.

Tytan Mason capped a 75-yard scoring drive for ISU as the Bengals retook the lead at 22-17, but they failed on the two-point conversion. Down 22-17 with 10:40 to go in the game, UNM’s offense went to work. Jack Layne opened the go-ahead drive with a 22-yard completion to Dorian Thomas, and after a pass interference, UNM faced fourth-and-1 from the Bengal 29. Scottre Humphrey bullied his way for the yard that was needed, and Layne followed with a 25-yard completion to Thomas on a brilliant sideline snag.

Two plays later, Bankston scored, and Layne hit Thomas for the two-point conversion, and UNM led 25-22. After a three-and-out, the offense went to work. D.J. McKinney went for 17 to open the drive, and Bankston had 18 a few moments later.

Humphrey converted a third-and-2 to the 1-yard line, punching it in to give UNM a 32-22 lead. The team then forced a turnover on downs and kneeled out the clock.

UNM led 14-10 at the break after Layne opened the scoring with a 7-yard run. That capped a 98-yard touchdown drive. UNM’s longest since a 99-yard touchdown drive against San Diego State last season.

After Sinatra’s first field goal, Humphrey scored untouched from 61 yards out for a 14-3 lead. Idaho State got a Harsin touchdown pass to Michael Shulikov to make it 14-10 at the half.

Postgame Notes

This was the fourth meeting between the two teams.

New Mexico now leads the overall series 4-0

New Mexico now leads the series in Albuquerque 4-0

New Mexico has a four-game winning streak in the series and a four-game winning streak in Albuquerque.

Starting lineup changes for UNM from the published two-deep

Offense: None

Defense: Xavier Slayton started at DL for Brian Booker; David Murphy at S for Ky’Won McCray at LB

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

*New Mexico’s Charles Steinkamp carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field, and Randolph Kpai carried the United States flag.

*Idaho State won the toss and elected to receive. New Mexico defended the south goal.

TEAM NOTES:

*New Mexico recorded an interception in its defensive red zone, its first interception of the season.

*After attempting 10 two-point conversions last season, the Lobos went for their first in the fourth quarter, a successful two-point pass from Jack Layne to Dorian Thomas.

*The 17,639 crowd was the largest home opening crowd since 2018, when 18,213, so UNM beat Incarnate Word 62-30.

*One week after committing one penalty for five yards, UNM committed two for 13 yards.

*UNM improved to 2-0 on September 6 at home all-time.

*The last time UNM scored exactly 32 points in a win was on October 18, 1974, a 32-21 win over Wyoming.

*After averaging 3.7 yards per play against Michigan, UNM averaged 6.1 against Idaho State.

*UNM had its first failed red zone trip of the season, but it was due to taking over at the ISU 19-yard line and taking a knee.

*UNM scored all its touchdowns rushing the ball a week after scoring all of its touchdowns by passing.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*David Murphy’s first quarter interception was the first of his career.

*Jack Layne’s 6-yard touchdown run was the second of his career, and his first since the 2024 season opener when he scored against Oregon on August 31, 2024.

*Scottre Humphrey’s 61-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was the third-longest run of his career. His 141 yards were the 11^th career 100-yard rushing game, the first 10 at Montana State. He had nine last year. Also, the 141 was the third-highest total of his career. I topped the 140 yards he rushed for last year for the Bobcats in University Stadium against New Mexico.

*Jaxton Eck’s 15 tackles tied his career-high, which he set last year against Idaho State, with that game in Pocatello.

*Dorian Thomas’ 15 receptions are the 10^th-most by a New Mexico tight end for a season in the last 30 years. Lucas Reed had 33 catches in 2010.

*Luke Drzewiecki was 3-for-3 on extra points and 1-for-1 on field goals. He remained fifth on the career field goal list, and he is now tied with Justus Adams for fifth on the career chert. Kenny Byrd is next with 91.

*Jason Eck improved to 25-1 when leading after three quarters, and he improved to 18-5 in day games (he is 9-9 in night games).

*Damon Bankston’s 55-yard reception was a career-long.