UNM Takes down Ranked Washington State
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – UNIVERSITY STADIUM
Washington St. (8 – 2, 0 – 0) AT New Mexico (5 – 6, 3 – 3)
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington St. | 14 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 35 |
| New Mexico | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
| Washington St. | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | ||
| Yards | 547 | 534 |
| Plays | 67 | 74 |
| Avg. Per Play | 8.16 | 7.22 |
| TDs | 5 | 5 |
In one of the biggest wins of the Bronco Mendenhall era, the New Mexico Lobos upset No. 19/18 Washington State, 38-35, thanks to a dramatic late touchdown and a last-ditch defensive stop. The win not only kept UNM’s bowl hopes alive but also snapped multiple long, significant streaks.
Key Moments & Game Flow
- The Lobos trailed 28-14 at halftime but mounted a strong second half surge — energized by big plays on the ground and improved defensive stops.
- On the opening drive of the second half, UNM converted third downs twice after a rough first half, capped by a 33-yard touchdown run from Devon Dampier.
- The fourth quarter featured several lead changes. UNM regained the lead late when Dampier scored from one yard out with 23 seconds left.
- With the clock winding down on the final play, Drew Speech, a seldom-used reserve, knocked down Washington State’s Hail Mary attempt to seal the win.
Standout Performers
- Devon Dampier (QB, UNM): A workhorse performance — he rushed for 143 yards in the second half and scored multiple touchdowns, including the game-winner. Also passed for key completions that kept drives alive.
- Eli Sanders: Contributed crucial ground yards, including a long run that helped set up late-game drives.
- Luke Wysong, Ryan Davis, Caleb Medford: Important receiving plays from each in pivotal moments to help move the chains and set up scoring opportunities.
Significant Facts & Records
- The win marked UNM’s first victory over a ranked team in 26 straight attempts, their first since October 25, 2003.
- This was their most wins in a season since 2016. At 5-6 after the game, they were one win away from bowl eligibility.
- The team rushed for 268 yards in the second half, showing a dominant ground game after halftime.
- Dampier became the first Lobo quarterback ever to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
- Defense in second halves had been a strength: UNM allowed just 4.25 points per second half over the previous four games, a stretch that included this performance.
What This Means & What’s Next
This game may be a turning point for UNM. It showed resilience — overcoming deficits, executing under pressure, and finishing when it mattered most. The win gives hope that the Lobos can close their season strong, push for bowl eligibility, and build momentum into the offseason.
Challenges remain: consistency against strong teams, limiting mistakes early, and sustaining balance between run and pass to keep defenses honest. If UNM can clean up those areas, this win over Washington State might be looked back on as the moment the season shifted.
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