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AUBURN, AL – JORDAN-HARE STADIUM

New Mexico (0 – 3, 0 – 0) AT Auburn (2 – 1, 0 – 0)

	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter	Total
New Mexico	10	3	0	6	19
Auburn	14	3	14	14	45

	New Mexico	Auburn
Total Offense
Yards	448	503
Plays	70	66
Avg. Per Play	6.40	7.62
TDs	2	6

Auburn edged out the University of New Mexico Lobos 45-19 Saturday night in an SEC matchup that slipped away for UNM after a promising first half. Despite showing flashes of offense early, the Lobos couldn’t keep pace as Auburn pulled ahead after halftime — in rainy conditions — and took control in the second half.

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Game Flow & Key Moments

• The Lobos were competitive throughout the first half. At halftime the score was 17-13 in favor of Auburn. UNM had four red-zone drives in the first half but could only convert a touchdown and two field goals.
• A dramatic moment came early, when QB Devon Dampier, throwing for a career-high 291 yards, narrowly missed connecting with wide receiver Luke Wysong in the end zone after a diving attempt.
• Auburn struck quickly in the third quarter: they took the second half kickoff and, on a 75-yard drive, scored to build separation. A critical interception on a fourth-and-5 from UNM’s 25-yard line stalled a Lobos drive that could have kept things closer.

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Standout Performers

• Devon Dampier (QB, UNM) was the offensive highlight for the Lobos. With 291 passing yards — a new career high — he showed poise even as Auburn tightened its grip.
• Luke Wysong (WR, UNM) also had a big night: among his contributions was a season-long 42-yard reception, plus work in special teams and punt returns.
• On defense, Bryson Taylor had a career-high three pass breakups (equaling his total from his first 23 games), giving glimpses of increased ball skills in the secondary.

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Significant Facts & Final Stats

• UNM gained 448 yards of offense but allowed 503 to Auburn. The Lobos were hampered by 16 penalties, tying one of the most in school history for a road game.
• The game was played in the rain, which factored into missed kicks and messy execution. One rain-affected moment: UNM missed a 37-yard field goal in the first half as the downpour affected footing and ball handling.
• It marked the first meeting between UNM and Auburn; Auburn now leads the series 1-0.
• Special note: this was UNM’s second game in a row where Dampier threw for a career high.

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Takeaways & What’s Next

While the final score was lopsided, the Lobos showed enough in the first half to suggest they have offensive potential. Dampier and Wysong gave glimpses of a passing game that can stretch defenses. However, execution in key moments, red-zone efficiency, and avoiding turnovers remain areas for improvement.

The rain and penalties both played a role in preventing UNM from staying closer, which underlines the importance of situational football — making the most of each possession, especially early.

Next up for the Lobos, it’s time to regroup and refine before their next nonconference test. The second half of this game exposed depth and composure gaps; addressing those could determine whether UNM can climb toward respectability and wins in tougher matchups.