RENO, Nev. — New Mexico rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, then UNM’s defense did the rest, for a dominant 31-3 win over Nevada in UNM’s first-ever game as an AP-ranked team. The win was also UNM’s first win over Nevada in Reno in program history, after going 0-4-1 in the previous five games, with the lone tie coming in the first meeting in 1942.
UNM’s defense told the story, holding Nevada to only 97 yards and a lone field goal. That field goal came on the final drive of the first half, and it apparently angered the Lobo defense, as UNM allowed Nevada to gain just six yards in the second half. The defense set up UNM’s first second-half score when Brett Karhu nailed quarterback AJ Bianco, forcing a fumble that Darren Agu recovered at the Nevada 5-yard line. Scottre Humphrey bulled his way in for his second touchdown of the game, making it 21-3.
Nevada couldn’t get anything going on offense all night. Nevada never ran a play in positive yardage, and Hershchel Turner, Jr. led the way with six carries for 12 yards. UNM’s defense harassed quarterback A.J. Bianco into a 14-for-31 night for just 106 yards, and they sacked him four times. Overall, UNM’s defense allowed just 97 yards overall and -9 yards rushing.
It was the fourth-fewest yards allowed in a road game by UNM, and it was the fewest yards allowed in a road game since 1964. Nevada had just one play of more than 10 yards and just three runs of five or more yards. Overall, the Lobos had eight TFLs for 44 yards, five pass breakups, and six quarterback hurries.
Up 21-3, UNM added another touchdown in the fourth quarter when Toa Fa’avae hit Cade Keith for the second straight week, this time from 25 yards out, making it 28-3. That capped a quick five-play, 53-yard drive. Nicholas Romero finished the scoring with a 37-yard field goal, his first of the season.
Overall, UNM’s offense was terrific against Nevada’s defense, totaling 374 yards, the second-most allowed by the Wolf Pack in a game this season. Nevada allowed 31 points, tying for the most by any team in regulation this season, as Air Force won 36-30 in overtime after the game was tied 27-27 at the end of regulation. Nevada allowed 374 yards, the second-most allowed by Air Force.
UNM opened the game with the ball, and the offense sliced through Nevada, with the help of great starting field position, including a 37-yard kickoff return by Marco Beltran, Jr. Toa Fa’avae was 2-for-3 on the opening drive, but UNM put together big runs by Fa’avae and Scottre Humphrey to get into a first-and-goal situation. Humphrey then plowed in from two yards out to give UNM a 7-0 lead.
After an exchange of punts, UNM made it 14-0 on a six-play, 58-yard drive when Kiefer Sibley went straight ahead, bounced it outside, and got an escort and a key block near the goal line from Fa’avae for his fourth touchdown of the season.
Nevada punted on every possession in the first half except its final one, kicking a 32-yard field goal by Jacob Fernandez, aided by a 46-yard catch by Marshaun Brown. Overall, the Wolf Pack punted 10 times in 12 drives.