LOBO RECAP
FLASHBACK: The New Mexico Lobos dig themselves a 25-point hole through three quarters (with some obvious help from New Mexico State) and can’t quite dig themselves out. UNM falls to the Aggies, 30-28, losing to their downstate rivals for the second straight year. WHAT WENT RIGHT: Redshirt freshman quarterback Tevaka Tuioti sparked a 23-point UNM fourth quarter that gave them a chance to complete what would have been a historic comeback. Redshirt freshman slot receiver Jay Griffin had 156 yards from scrimmage, 95 through the air and 61 on the ground, and scored two touchdowns. After a miserable first three quarters, the New Mexico defense made stop after stop in the fourth as the Lobos made their comeback. A crowd of 32,427 attended, the most to see a game at University/Dreamstyle Stadium since the 2009 Lobo-Aggie game (35,248). WHAT WENT WRONG: In the first half, well, what didn’t go wrong? The Lobos fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, and things didn’t get much better. Starting quarterback Lamar Jordan was pulled after throwing his second interception. The running game, UNM’s offensive lifeblood, continues to sputter. The defense got little pressure on Aggies quarterback Tyler Rogers, who had no trouble finding open receivers in the UNM secondary. Four turnovers, two fumbles and the Jordan interceptions, were instrumental in digging that 25-point hole. Nor did 104 yards in penalties help. A 100-yard touchdown kickoff return by sophomore Elijah Lilly was called back due to a holding penalty (which coach Bob Davie questioned). Should the Lobos (1-1) lose their next two games on the road (Boise State, Tulsa), how many of those 32,427 will come back for the Air Force game on Sept. 30?
INJURY REPORT: No major injuries were observed.
QUOTING DAVIE: “I don’t know that it stings more (losing to the Aggies). It really stung in the first half, the way we played. We were so bad . ... There’s no sting in losing. The sting is when you don’t play as well as you’re capable of playing.” NEXT UP: The Boise State Broncos (1-1), coming off a 47-44 triple-overtime loss at 21st-ranked Washington State, likely will be an angry bunch when the Lobos come to town on Thursday — nor have they forgotten that UNM beat them on their home turf two years ago. The 6 p.m. game will be telecast nationally on ESPN.