University of New Mexico entered the season with a renewed positive outlook. The team has 32 upperclassmen returning to the team with another year of experience and an eager first year head coach with a new winning philosophy. That positive outlook was placed into doubt shortly into the first half against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners.
UTSA opened the first drive of their season looking strong in the their passing attack. They converted on a early 4th and 1 play but then conceded 3 straight sacks on their QB Eric Soza. Two of the three sacks where credited to Redshirt Senior Dallas Bollema, the defensive captain from Artesia, NM. UNM’s first drive of the game started deep in their own territory and only mustered 3 yards prior to a punt.
The Roadrunners scored the first points of the game on a 7 yard QB run by Soza. After achieving their first first down of their season, UNM’s QB Cole Gautsche fumbled on what looked to be a forward pass on a screen play which was returned by the UTSA defense to the UNM 2 yard line. After putting the Roadrunners up 14 to 0 on a walk in touchdown RB David Glasco caught a 51 yard screen pass to put UTSA up 21 to 0 as the game neared halftime. On the last UNM drive of the first half the offense finally started to click. With a long methodical 17 play 87 yard drive capped off by a Kasey Carrier 4 yard rushing touchdown, the Lobos went into halftime trailing UTSA 21 to 7.
Returning to the field UNM’s new head coach Reginald Tomlinson was asked how his team could improve on their first half performance. “We have to run the ball more effectively,” the coach was quoted as he jogged back to the sideline to prepare for the start of the second half.
UNM started the second half with the ball and was able to improve on moving the football down the field. Much of the 3rd quarter was the two squads trading field position. The 3rd quarter finished with an interception by UNM’s Saqwan Edwards in the back corner of the UTSA endzone, ending their drive. The Lobos were able to use the turnover to spark a drive for a score. Converting on 2 separate 4th down and 1 plays, Carrier scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to bring the team within one score, 21 to 14.
Capitalizing on the momentum of the defenses’ multiple stops in the second half, UNM was able to put together another strong drive behind Gautsche’s arm. After moving the ball into the redzone, Gautsche threw an interception in the endzone on a play where there was clearly miscommunication between him and his receiver. UTSA failed to run the rest of the clock out and punted the ball back to the Lobos with 57 seconds left in the game. The Lobos proceeded to move the ball with ease to return once again to the redzone.
With the game clock stopped, and only reading 4 seconds after a 3rd down dropped pass, the Lobos were at the 6 yard line lining up for the final play of the game. Gautsche dropped back stepped right in the pocket to avoid pressure from the left side of the line and winged the ball to the right side of the endzone. The pass floated directly into the arms of the awaiting defensive back who Gautsche failed to see with the pressure of the incoming defensive linemen collapsing around him.
Tomlinson’s first game leading the Lobos ended in a 21 to 14 loss but there was visible improvement in the offense and defense in the second half of the game. The defense was able to shutout their opponent in the second half and the offense was able to score 14 unanswered points with a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds. The Lobos will look to put together a more complete game next week when they travel to Boca Raton, FL to face off with the 0-1 Florida Atlantic Owls. The Owls are coming off a road loss to the Miami Hurricanes.
Player of the Game: UTSA RB David Glasco – 79 scrimmage yards, 2 TDs
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– #12 LSU falls to #17 TCU 28-38 in the Cowboys Classic in Arlington, TX
Mountain West Top 25 Update:
– Boise State falls from #18 out of the Top 25 with a loss to Washington
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