Homecoming hurts: Hawaii drubs Lobos
The University of New Mexico’s fifth straight football loss, a 45-31 setback at homecoming to Hawaii on Saturday, added to a tumultuous season that has seen several lows, one that came earlier this week.
The adversity and overall mismatches have caused a fragility to the Lobos’ mental state. But the controversy from Sheriron Jones’ suspension due to an indecent exposure accusation and the team’s record (2-6, 0-4 in Mountain West Conference) had “zero” to do with what took place against Hawaii (5-3, 2-2), UNM coach Bob Davie said.
The announced Dreamstyle Stadium turnout was 12,617. The actual number of fans at the game appeared to be around 5,000 and dwindled to no more than half of that before the start of the fourth quarter, when the Lobos scored three straight touchdowns to outscore Hawaii, 21-7, in the final 10 minutes.
“Absolutely none of that (quar
terback suspension and previous losses) has anything to do with (this loss),” Davie said. “If anything, losing four games in a row and it’s 35-3 at halftime? You would see guys tuck their tails in during the second half because if (Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich) could have, he would have scored 100 on us. I’m telling you straight up. That’s their offense. … That’s the thing I’m most proud of leaving this game that there is a heartbeat, there is a pulse, there is a not-give-up, there is a fight to get better.”
Quarterback Tevaka Tuioiti (293 yards passing and two touchdowns) and running back Ahmari Davis (200 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 16 carries) led the Lobos’ strong closing effort. Wide receiver Jordan Kress added 100 yards receiving and one touchdown on four catches. Kress reached 100 yards receiving for the second time this season, the first time that has happened for a Lobo since 2011.
But the Lobos had their problems from the start against Hawaii. They started slowly on offense, while the Rainbow Warriors were the opposite in building a 35-3 halftime lead with big plays on the ground, through the air and with a turnover.
Quarterback Cole McDonald started things off with a 76-yard touchdown jaunt, faking the Lobos’ defense on a zone-read run.
Hawaii defensive back Solomon Matautia later scored on a 14-yard interception return after catching Tuioti’s pass that deflected off wide receiver Cedric Patterson III.
Hawaii increased its lead to 21-3 when McDonald went deep to a wide-open Kumoku Noa for a 54-yard touchdown.
All the Lobos had to show was Andrew Shelley’s 39-yard field goal.
McDonald, who threw for 237 yards and one touchdown, led Hawaii with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Miles Reed ran for 97 yards and one touchdown, part of the Rainbow Warriors’ 255 yards rushing.
“Whose ever finger to point, point it right at me, because our kids and our players are fighting their butt off,” Davie said. “... We have a hard time matching up, particularly on defense. I take full responsibility for that. Don’t in any way blame these players.
This is my responsibility. I was pleased with the effort to fight back. The game was over by halftime, basically. We’ve got enough character and enough fight that we made it somewhat respectable in the second half.”
Davie, 65, in his eighth season on a contract that runs through the 2021 season, has answered questions in the past with the same accountability.
UNM athletic director Eddie Nuñez declined an interview with the Journal at game’s end to discuss Davie’s job status.
The Lobos have had to deal with other challenges in addition to Jones’ suspension and the six losses.
■ Q’ Drennan, a redshirt junior wide receiver, announced on Twitter Friday night that he has entered the transfer portal.
■ Safety Patrick Peek told Davie he would be redshirting the season two days before the Lobos played at San Jose State on Oct. 4.
■ The following week, Tuioti declined to warm up to enter the game for Jones against Colorado State.
■ This season began with Davie’s health scare, when he collapsed following the Lobos’ season opener on Aug. 31 and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Four games remain, with the Lobos playing next at Nevada.