On a rainy afternoon in Boca Raton, the University of New Mexico Lobos started off another game with absolutely zero offense. Not to outdo the Lobos, the Florida Atlantic Owls’ play was much like the weather, messy.
On the third offensive play of the game for the Owls, QB Stephen Curtis was intercepted by SS Dante Caro on an out route. The UNM student section cheered in excitement despite the poor conditions. The same enthusiasm was not exhibited by the Lobo’s offense the first three drives of the game, going 3 and out twice and throwing an interception of their own on the third.
Meanwhile RB Jonathan Wallace seemed unstoppable gashing the Lobo defense play after play to setup a toe tapping catch from Deandre Richardson for an Owls touchdown putting the team up 7 to 0. The score capped off an 8 play 69 yard drive for the Owls.
With roughly a minute left in the first quarter, Curtis setup the Owl offense to take advantage of the short field they received from the Lobo’s turnover. Curtis snapped the ball and checked it down to the to the left flat. CB Tim Foley flashed in front of the Owl wide receiver and was on his way for his first Division I career touchdown, a 64 yard return tying the game. FAU’s next offensive play, Curtis dropped back for a dump off screen pass to Wallace but failed to see CB Cranston Jones spying the back. Jones snatched the pass and returned it 41 yards for the second straight pick 6 for the Lobos. The defense had become the offense for the team.
As the Lobos lined up for the 5th offensive drive of the day they still had not completed a single pass attempt. TE Andrew Aho ended the negative streak with a catch on a 4 yard out. The Lobos followed that up with a huge catch by WR Lamar Jordan, across the middle of the field intersecting defenders for 18 yards. A 24 yard run by RB Kasey Carrier set up the Lobos for a 27 yard field to go into the half up 17 to 7.
The vibe of the Lobos was dramatically changed taking the field for the second half. There was no longer that nervous energy surrounding the team since what has felt like the entire young season. The teams new confidence didn’t assist them on the scoreboard on the first drive of the second half, despite converting on a 4th and 1. FAU matched UNM’s 4th and 1 conversion taking it to the next level scoring on a 5 yard run by Wallace. The 12 play 73 yard drive put the Owls down 3 points, 17 to 14.
As the quarter changed from 3 to 4 the Lobos were driving down the field with receptions by Andrew Aho and Ridge Jones to move the team to a first and goal at the 4 yard line. After being stopped 3 straight plays, a QB sneak by Cole Gautsche finally broke the Lobos into the endzone again. UNM led 24 to 14.
After a mistake and penalty filled short drive by FAU, the team punted the ball back to UNM. The New Mexico offense came onto the field with the fire to power down the field for another score to put the game out of reach. Starting out near the 50 yard line it only took 5 plays for the Lobos to put the ball back in the endzone. RB Jhurell Presley scored on a 5 yard run up the middle. Presley followed up the score with an impressive 32 yard rush on a read option play to run out the clock and seal the game on the ensuing drive. The game ended with the final score 31 to 14 Lobos. With his first touchdown of the season, Presley earned Player of the Game honors in the first Lobo win of the season.
In the waning seconds of the game, Head Coach Reginald Tomlinson was doused by his team in red sports drink to celebrate his first Division I victory. A red stained Tomlinson said after the game, “It feels great to get the first one under my belt. The defense really helped ignite the team today.” New Mexico will travel to the University of Pittsburgh to face the Panthers next week. The Panthers went on the road two weeks ago to beat #23 Florida State. Pittsburgh’s defense returned two interceptions back for touchdowns to take the lead and seal the victory in the 4th quarter over the Seminoles.
Player of the Game: UNM RB Jhurell Presley – 7 Att. 53 Rushing yards, 1 TD
Around the Country Updates:
– Purdue upset #6 Notre Dame to claim the Shillelagh Trophy for the first time since 2007; 33-17.
– #10 Louisville is downed by unranked Virginia Tech with a great all around day by QB Logan Thomas; 12-20.
– #1 Texas A&M will host #2 Alabama this week in College Station, TX after defeating #9 Florida last week.
Mountain West Top 25 Update:
– San Jose State lost on the road to #4 Stanford; 45-10.
– Hawaii was defeated on a late 4th quarter touchdown by #21 Oregon State; 26-21.
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