POSTGAME NOTES
This was the 32nd meeting between the two teams.
Utah State now leads 17-15
New Mexico now leads the series in Albuquerque 10-8
Utah State leads the series in Logan 9-5
New Mexico now has a two-game winning streak in the series.
New Mexico now has a one-game winning streak in the series in Albuquerque, ending Utah State’s four-game streak
Starting lineup changes for UNM from the published two-deep
Offense: Malik Aliane started at LT for Nevell Brown, Isaiah Sillemon started at LG for Aliane. Cade Keith started at TE for Dorian Thomas. Simon Mapa started at tight end for receiver Shawn Miller. D.J. McKinney started at RB for Scottre Humphrey.
Defense: None
*New Mexico’s captains were Richard Pearce, Gabe Lopez, Jack Layne, Austin Brawley, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Jaxton Eck.
*New Mexico’s David Murphy carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field, and Abraham Williams carried the United States flag.
*Utah State won the toss and elected to defer. New Mexico elected the ball, and Utah State defended the north goal.
TEAM NOTES
*UNM’s interception in the first quarter ended a string of 14 straight quarters without a takeaway.
*New Mexico’s 19-point halftime lead was its largest since a 21-0 lead over Maine in the 2022 season opener, and the largest over an FBS program since October 4, 2018, when UNM led UNLV 29-0 at the half on the road in a 50-14 win.
*New Mexico scored on offense, defense, and special teams for the first time since October 22, 2016, when UNM scored touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams. UNM’s defensive score today was a safety, not a touchdown.
*New Mexico improved to 5-0 this season when rushing for 100 or more yards.
*New Mexico improved to 4-0 at home this season, the first 4-0 start at home since 1962. UNM has won five straight at home for the first time since 2016-17.
*New Mexico now has a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in the same season for the first time since 1996.
*Head Coach Jason Eck improved to 20-5 in day games, and he is now 29-1 in his coaching career when leading after three quarters.
*New Mexico is now 5-0 when not throwing an interception, and 0-3 when throwing an interception.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*D.J. McKinney’s punt return touchdown was the first for UNM since Luke Wysong returned one 79 yards against Air Force on October 12, 2024. It was officially the first punt return of his career.
*McKinney’s 1-yard touchdown run gave him four touchdowns in the last two games.
*The interception by C.J. McBean in the end zone was the first of his career.
*Daniel Hughes, who didn’t punt at all last week, pinned the Aggies inside the five-yard line on his first two punts. Hughes punted four times overall for a 49.7-yard average with three inside the 20.
*Hughes improved his season average to 47.3, which is percentage points behind Corey Bojorquez, who averaged 47.3 in 2017.
*Jaxton Eck’s safety after a Daniel Hughes punt to the 1-yard line was UNM’s first safety since October 27, 2018, when Jermaine Conyers tackled Utah State’s Derrick Thompson in the end zone after a fumbled handoff.
*Deshaun Buchanan rushed for 14 yards on a fake punt inside Lobo territory on fourth-and-1 for a first down. Damon Bankston eventually scored from 41 yards out for a touchdown.
*Jack Layne’s completion percentage of 77.3 was his highest of the year, and it was the eighth-highest (minimum 10 completions) in school history.
*Cade Keith had a career-high seven catches for a career-high 104 yards, with a career-long 40-yard catch and a touchdown. It was UNM’s third 100-yard receiving game on the season.
*Luke Drzewiecki tied Colby Cason and Bob Berg for third place with his 41st career field goal. He also now has 110 career extra points, and he is one behind Jason Sanders, who had 111 in his career.
