Recap and highlights: New Mexico stuns No. 19 Washington State 38-35, Lobos first ranked win in 20 years
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Buddah Al-Uqdah needed a moment to gather himself. Washington State’s young linebacker laid on his back on the New Mexico turf, waiting for his pain to subside, which would allow him to return to action for the biggest play in Saturday’s game.
Al-Uqdah couldn’t do so right away. He needed a trip to the injury tent, taking him off the field for the next play, WSU clinging to a one-score lead in the final seconds, UNM knocking on the door of the end zone. One play later, New Mexico cashed in with the game-winning touchdown rush from quarterback Devon Dampier, who surged in for the final 38-35 margin, with less than one minute to play.
With that, WSU’s four-game winning streak came to an end, blowing a 14-point lead in the first half. In the final moments, the Cougars (8-1) responded to the Lobos’ go-ahead, short field goal with a go-ahead touchdown, a long pass from quarterback John Mateer to senior receiver Kyle Williams, his third scoring catch of the night. That left 3:12 on the clock.
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It was too much time for Dampier, who totaled 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns, burning WSU’s defense with the same variation of QB run all night. It capped an eventful second half. Washington State took a 28-14 lead into halftime, then watched it evaporate when New Mexico rattled off two touchdown drives in the third quarter to tie the game.
Things started out so well for WSU. The Cougars raced to a 21-7 lead behind three touchdowns by Mateer: A 28-yard pass to receiver Carlos Hernandez, a 5-yard rush and a 20-yard connection with Williams. Mateer looked sharp and physical, burning the Lobos with his legs just as well with his arm.
New Mexico hung around with two touchdowns in the first half — quarterback Devon Dampier scampered in from 7 yards out and thanks to a coverage bust, Dampier found receiver Caleb Medford for a wide-open touchdown pass — but WSU looked to be in control. The Lobos had no answers for the Cougs’ offense, no matter what kinds of plays they were running.
That’s about when the game changed. As has been the case all season, WSU’s third-quarter road offense ground to a halt. All three of the Cougars’ drives in the third quarter ended in punts. For the quarter, they totaled only 61 yards, plus two penalties for 15 yards. Their playcalling seemed to change, as did their execution.
It’s been a theme all season. Away from Pullman’s Gesa Field, where WSU has yet to lose all season, the Cougars have been outscored in the third quarter 41-10 this fall. It has seemed to follow a familiar script: WSU’s offense has looked crisp earlier in the game, then for some reason, it changes in a big way in the third frame.
WSU returns to action next Saturday, facing Oregon State on the road.
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First quarter
15:00 – UNM 0, WSU 0: Lobos win the toss and want the ball. We’re underway, game will start on FS1 shortly after the conclusion of Rutgers-Maryland.
9:32 – UNM 7, WSU 0: Lobos use the run game to charge down the field and Dampier scores a 7-yard touchdown on a read option.
Cougars had a chance to get off the field early in the drive, but jumped offsides after the Lobos lined up on 4th-and-1. Instead, UNM drives 75 yards on 11 plays.
Dampier has five carries for 36 yards and completed 2 of 2 attempts for 22 yards.
7:27 – UNM 7, WSU 7: Mateer slices through the Lobos defense with long passes on back-to-back plays. He hits Williams for 43 yards, then Hernandez for a 28-yard touchdown.
Mateer goes 3 of 3 for 86 yards on the opening drive.
6:21 – UNM 7, WSU 7: Lobos drive gets derailed after a failed option pitch loses a few yards. Cougas take over after a punt at the WSU 26.
1:30 – WSU 14, UNM 7: Mateer gets the Lobos to overcommit to the sideline, cuts back and powers in for a 5-yard touchdown run. UNM hasn’t been able to bring down the Cougars QB, who is 7 for 7 for 122 yards and has 25 rushing yards.
Second quarter
14:24 – WSU 14, UNM 7: Holding penalty sets back the Lobos, who are forced to punt again, this time to the WSU 7.
Cougars probably could have been called for roughing the passer, or pass interference on the third down pass attempt.
10:21 – WSU 21, UNM 7: Mateer has been perfect. He finds a wide open Mathers for 50 yards on third down and then hits Williams for a 20-yard touchdown.
Mateer has completed 10 of 10 attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
9:18 – WSU 21, UNM 7: Another three-and-out for the Lobos, which could spell disaster with Mateer coming back on the field. Cougars start on their own 19, though field position hasn’t mattered so far.
7:30 – WSU 21, UNM 7: Lobos finally get to Mateer and sack him on third down, getting their first stop off the game.
UNM starts at its 29, after picking up a penalty for fair catch interference on the punt.
5:31 – WSU 21, UNM 14: Dampier takes the top off the WSU defense with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Medford.
Lobos snap out of their lull with a five-play, 71-yard TD drive. Dampier is 5 of 11 for 94 yards and has eight carries for 37 yards.
1:56 – WSU 21, UNM 14: Cougars pick up a forth-and-1 at the 2-minute timeout. Schlenbaker was stopped short, but had a good second effort. Big opportunity for WSU to go up two scores at halftime, and receive the second half kickoff.
1:10 – WSU 28, UNM 14: Mateer lofts a 29-yard touchdown to Williams, who has zero resistance on the catch.
Lobos defense has been thoroughly outmatched in the first half, surrendering 355 total yards and touchdowns on four of five possessions.
0:20 – WSU 28, UNM 14: Cougars force a stop, so they start with little time at their own 1 after a good punt.
Halftime
John Mateer has been near-flawless and has Washington State leading New Mexico 28-14 at halftime in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mateer has completed 15 of 17 attempts for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He’s added seven carries for 36 yards and another score, leading WSU to touchdowns on four of five possessions in the half.
New Mexico has struck for a few big plays of their own, but not nearly enough to keep up. WSU will receive the second half kickoff.
Third quarter
14:18 – WSU 28, UNM 14: Mateer comes out firing and throws three straight incompletions, more than he had in the first half combined. Lobos take over at their 20.
10:20 – WSU 28, UNM 21: Lobos not going away yet. Dampier uses his speed to score a 33-yard touchdown.
UNM goes on a 10-play, 80-yard drive to make it a one-score game. Dampier has 12 carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns, really giving WSU trouble on the ground.
6:34 – WSU 28, UNM 21: Second-straight stop for the Lobos defense, which has changed things up in the second half to great effect. Mateer is facing more defenders in coverage and has completed just 2 of 7 attempts this quarter.
Lobos start at their 8 with a chance to drive the field and tie the score. WSU led by 14 points to start the half.
5:14 – WSU 28, UNM 21: Cougars stop the Lobos a yard short on third down and force a punt. Holding on the punt negates a huge return by Freeman. WSU starts at its 25 instead of the UNM 24.
3:37 – WSU 28, UNM 21: Mateer lobs a ball past the hands of Pulalasi in the flat. Needed a ball right on him there, as he was wide open.
Cougars punt to the UNM 29.
0:25 – WSU 28, UNM 28: Sanders breaks free for a 26-yard touchdown run and we’re all tied up. Fantastic quarter for the Lobos, who have 14 unanswered points. Cougars need to come up with something on their next drive.
Fourth quarter
12:07 – WSU 28, UNM 28: Second half struggles continue for the Cougars, who get backed up on a holding penalty and then Mateer throws incomplete on third and long.
Lobos start at their 12 with a chance to drive for their first lead since the first quarter. Mateer just 6 of 13 for 47 yards in the second half.
4:40 – UNM 31, WSU 28: Long Lobos drive ends just short of the end zone and with a 19-yard field goal. Cougars will get a chance to tie or win, but with little room for error.
UNM went 86 yards in 13 plays and took 7:27 off the clock.
3:12 – WSU 35, UNM 31: Cougars take the lead right back with a 37-yard touchdown from Mateer to Williams.
So, after sputtering the entire second half, the Cougars come up with a four-play, 75-yard drive when they needed it. Mateer now has 359 yards and four touchdowns passing.
0:21 – UNM 38, WSU 35: Lobos are undaunted and drive 75 yards in 11 plays to retake the lead. Brutal for the Cougars, but they’ve been in a similar spot against San Jose State. Can they go get in field goal position in 21 seconds?
0:00 – UNM 38, WSU 35: Mateer’s Hail Mary attempt falls incomplete. That’s New Mexico’s first win over a ranked team in over 20 years. The Cougars dreams of a playoff berth die in Albuquerque.
Pregame
Washington State has an outside chance at qualifying for the College Football Playoff. To be considered, the Cougars have to win out.
No. 19 WSU takes a four-game winning streak to New Mexico tonight for a game against the Lobos. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
The Cougars (8-1) had little problem putting away Utah State last week, as QB John Mateer totaled five touchdowns. Tonight they’ll face a Lobos (4-6) team coming off a win over San Diego State.
New Mexico features dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier. He’s a volatile passer, prone to mistakes and impact plays.
WSU is a 10½-point favorite, according to vegasinsider.com.
Series history
Washington State is 2-0 all-time against New Mexico with wins at home and on the road in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
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