PHOENIX, Ariz. — Minnesota’s Jalen Smith caught a pair of diving touchdowns, the second in overtime, to give Minnesota a 20-17 overtime win over New Mexico in a nail-biter at the Rate Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix. The heartbreaking loss ended UNM’s season at 9-4, missing a chance to become the second Lobo squad ever to win 10 games.
The Lobos never led in the second half and trailed 7-6 at the break. The Golden Gophers (8-5) extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with an 80-yard drive that ended in a 5-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the advantage to 14–6 with 13:30 remaining. The score came on a third-and-three as Darius Taylor escaped a tackle in the backfield and scooted in for the touchdown.
The Lobos answered immediately on the ensuing kickoff. Damon Bankston returned the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, racing untouched to the point that his off-returner and lead blocker also didn’t touch or have to block anyone. It was the longest play in Rate Bowl history, and it made the score 14-12. UNM went for two, with Scottre Humphrey getting a direct snap, handing it to quarterback Jack Layne, who faked a pitch and instead threw to a wide-open Keagan Johnson for the two-point conversion and a tie.
From there, neither team could score. On a fourth-and-two and midfield, UNM attempted a fake punt, but Deshaun Buchanan was hit in the backfield for a 10-yard loss, giving Minnesota the ball at the UNM 40. However much it has done this season, the Lobo defense held, allowing just three yards. Minnesota passed on a 54-yard field goal attempt and punted.
After an exchange of punts, UNM had the ball with 3:36 to go at its 17, and moved all the way to a first down at the Minnesota 49 with 1:55 to go. UNM couldn’t get closer and punted, and Minnesota opted to go to overtime.
New Mexico had the ball first in overtime and moved six yards on four plays before Luke Drzewiecki connected on a 36-yard field goal, his third of the game, to give the Lobos a 17–14 advantage. Minnesota was forced into a third-and 8, at the 12-yard line, and that’s when Smith made his second diving catch of the game to end it, holding up after a replay review.
New Mexico opened the scoring on its second possession of the game, driving 66 yards on 15 plays before Drzewiecki connected on a 31-yard field goal with 1:41 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lobos added to their lead early in the second quarter after forcing a Minnesota turnover on a fourth-down attempt. New Mexico advanced inside the red zone before settling for a 29-yard Drzewiecki field goal to make it 6–0. Minnesota responded late in the half with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith to take a 7–6 lead into halftime.
New Mexico finished the game with 116 rushing yards on 38 attempts and added 88 yards through the air. Bankston led the Lobos with 57 rushing yards and added five receptions, while James Laubstein also recorded 57 rushing yards. Defensively, New Mexico limited Minnesota to 105 rushing yards and forced the game into overtime with key stops in the second half.
Minnesota totaled 252 yards of offense and was led by Darius Taylor’s 116 rushing yards. Drake Lindsey completed 18 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.