LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico forced turnovers on back-to-back defensive snaps, scoring both times as the Lobos used a strong third quarter to take down New Mexico State 42-18 in the 116th edition of the Rio Grande Rivalry. New Mexico scored 21 points in the third quarter to push a 14-3 halftime advantage into a runaway in a game that was not as the final score would indicate.
The win marked the second time in the past three seasons that UNM has started 3-1 under Jason Eck. It marked the first time UNM started at least 3-1 in back-to-back seasons since 1996 and 1997, when UNM started 3-1 in 1996 and 4-0 in 1997.
The win also earned UNM four points in the HB Construction Rio Grande Rivalry Series, and UNM now leads 5-1.
Up 14-3, UNM forced a turnover on NMSU’s opening drive as Tavian Combs picked up his third interception of the season, and second in the last two games. UNM took that turnover and turned it into seven as Toa Fa’avae found Zhaiel Smith for 38 yards to convert a third-and-14. UNM got the ball into the red zone, and on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Fa’avae threw to defensive end Brett Karhu, who was in as a fullback, for a 3-yard touchdown pass.
On the next offensive play, Jalen McIver sacked Trey Hadden III, jarring the ball loose, and Elijah Brody recovered it. Three plays later, James Laubstein scored his third touchdown of the season, this one from nine yards out to make it 28-3. After a turnover on downs, Fa’avae hit Bailen George for a 68-yard pass to the 3-yard line, and Keiser Sibley punched it in to make it 35-3.
The Aggies finally found the end zone when backup quarterback Adam Damante led a 75-yard drive, capped by a diving touchdown by Myles Libman. Jalen Brown ran in the two-point try to make it 35-11. The two teams then traded touchdowns in the final two minutes, with Laubstein scoring his second of the game to account for the final score.
The Lobos took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field for a 7-0 lead, keyed by a big third-down conversion. After Kiefer Sibley went 23 yards on the opening play of the game, Toa Fa’avae hit Bailen George for 37 yards on third-and-9 to move UNM into Aggie territory. After a 21-yard Fa’avae run to the three-yard line, Scottre Humphrey bullied into the end zone for the 7-0 lead.
New Mexico State nearly answered, as James Jones broke outside and gained 54 yards, with a touchdown-saving tackle by Austin Brawley. That saved all the points, as NMSU eventually missed a 27-yard field goal.
Punt returner Marco Beltran set up UNM’s next score with a 24-yard punt return to the NMSU 33-yard line as Humphrey ran the ball all four times on the drive, including a 21-yard run to the 1-yard line, where he punched it in for his second touchdown in the first quarter.
New Mexico State eventually answered with a 24-yard Ilya Uvaydov field goal, but that was all the Aggies could muster. One last drive was thwarted with an Austin Brawley interception, but UNM couldn’t quite get into field goal range at the end of the half.