Lobos lose last game of season and bowl hopes
HONOLULU, HI – CLARENCE T.C. CHING ATHLETICS COMPLEX
New Mexico (5 – 7, 3 – 4) AT Hawaii (5 – 7, 3 – 4)
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 0 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 30 |
| Hawaii | 7 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
| New Mexico | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | ||
| Yards | 481 | 586 |
| Plays | 80 | 85 |
| Avg. Per Play | 6.01 | 6.89 |
| TDs | 4 | 5 |
The University of New Mexico Lobos closed their 2024 season with a tough 38-30 defeat at Hawaiʻi. The loss dropped UNM to 5-7 overall (3-4 in Mountain West), just one win shy of bowl eligibility. Despite a strong showing and several big plays, the Lobos couldn’t overcome critical errors down the stretch.
Game Highlights & Key Moments
- Hawaiʻi freshman QB Micah Alejado torched the Lobos, completing 37 of 57 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns. His production was the backbone of the Rainbow Warriors’ offense.
- UNM’s Devon Dampier tied a school record with his 19th rushing touchdown of the season — matching the mark set by DonTrell Moore. Dampier finished with three rushing scores.
- Mid-fourth quarter, the Lobos appeared to be closing in. Down 31-16, Dampier powered in his third rushing touchdown, making it a one-score game with over 13 minutes left. But Hawaiʻi’s offense responded.
- A controversial third-and-1 play went in favor of Hawaiʻi after review (despite what many argued was a clear drop), giving them a first down instead of forcing a punt. They later scored again, putting the game out of reach.
- Late in the game, UNM added a rushing touchdown by Na’Quari Rogers with 2:34 remaining, but their attempt at an onside kick failed, sealing the Lobos’ fate.
Standout Performers
- Devon Dampier (QB/Rusher, UNM): Had another signature dual-threat night — rushing for multiple touchdowns (tie of school record), plus large chunks of yardage, continuing his stretch of games with over 100 yards both passing & rushing.
- Micah Alejado (QB, Hawaiʻi): Stellar performance in his first season start, throwing for nearly 470 yards and five scores. Him and his receivers repeatedly beat UNM’s secondary.
Significant Facts & Records
- UNM’s offense finished the season with 5,811 yards total — the second-most in school history. Their average of 484.3 yards per game is a new school record.
- The Lobos’ 484.3 ypg also ranks among the top outputs in Mountain West history for a single season.
- Dampier moved ahead of Donald Sellers into sixth on UNM’s career touchdowns responsible list, finished tied for third on the single-season list with 31.
- He also tied DonTrell Moore’s school record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 19. For a quarterback, that’s especially rare.
Takeaways & Looking Ahead
Lastly, despite falling short of a bowl, the momentum and offensive identity established this season will be a foundation on which to build.
The Lobos’ offense showed they’ve become explosive — averaging nearly 500 yards/game and capable of high scoring output. But their final record shows offense alone can’t carry a team: situational miscues, controversial calls, and turnovers cost them viability in close matchups.
For most players — especially Devon Dampier, Na’Quari Rogers, and Luke Wysong — this season offered memorable performances. The rushing touchdowns, passing yardage, and records reached will be highlights in UNM lore.
Going forward, in 2025, the challenge will be to build more consistency, shore up red zone execution, avoid penalties, and find early-game balance so the Lobos aren’t always playing from behind.
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