LOBO RECAP
FLASHBACK: New Mexico plays Colorado State on even terms throughout the evening, but failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities dooms the Lobos to their eighth consecutive loss to their Mountain West Conference rival Friday night at Dreamstyle Stadium.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The Lobos in no way resembled the team that lost 38-0 the previous week at Fresno State. The ground game produced 316 yards on a 6.6-yard average per carry behind a patchwork offensive line; the defense held the potent CSU offense more than 100 yards below its average yards per game. Rams wide receiver Michael Gallup, the national leader in receiving yards, caught just six passes for 58 yards and no touchdowns. Lobos punter Corey Bojorquez averaged 57.7 yards on three attempts, including a 78-yarder.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The Lobos gained 450 yards running and passing and ran 36 plays on the CSU side of midfield — but settled for 24 points. After Bojorquez had pinned CSU inside its 1 line and the defense forced a three-and-out, a Richard McQuarley fumble at the Rams 35 scuttled a chance for a game-tying fourth-quarter touchdown. A barely missed 40-yard Jason Sanders field goal try, a handful of dropped passes and some secondguessable coaching decisions also contributed to a loss in a game that could have been won.
INJURY REPORT: The list grows. Coach Bob Davie said starting free safety Bijon Parker was to have surgery Saturday for a fractured forearm. Senior nose tackle Johnny Williams (knee) left the game. Senior running back Romell Jordan left with an undisclosed injury. The Lobos went into the game without outside rush linebacker Rhashaun Epting, nickel safety Kenneth Maxwell and offensive tackles Teton Saltes and Izrael Castellanos.
QUOTING DAVIE: “It’s about winning six games, and that’s a realistic goal. And that’s something, if we continue to play with the spirit of (Friday’s game), just getting better here, we’ll have a realistic chance to do.”
NEXT UP: The Lobos play at Wyoming (4-2, 2-0 entering its game Saturday night at Boise State) this coming Saturday. The Lobos have won three straight against the Cowboys, including their most recent game in Laramie two seasons ago.