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Aug. 24—New Mexico led for all but 10 seconds.
It wasn’t enough.
Montana State running back Scottre Humphrey’s four-yard rushing touchdown in the final seconds served as the go-ahead score in the Bobcats’ 35-31 win over New Mexico.
UNM, 13.5-point underdogs at home, led 31-14 going into the fourth quarter, bolstered by two defensive scores. However, missed field goals, dropped passes and lackluster defense doomed the Lobos (0-1) in the final quarter and UNM lost its first game under head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
The Bobcats (1-0) are the No. 4-ranked FCS team. The win over UNM is the team’s first FBS win since 2006.
In front of an announced crowd of 17,314 at University Stadium, UNM quarterback Devon Damper completed 19 of 27 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for another score. Iowa State transfer Eli Sanders led the Lobos in rushing with 87 yards.
Defensive back Noah Avinger led UNM with 14 tackles and came up with one of two scoop-and-scores. The Lobos struggled to corral Montana State’s vaunted rushing attack, with running backs Adam Jones (167 yards) and Scottre Humphrey (140 yards) keying the Bobcats’ 362 total yards on the ground.
UNM took a 7-0 lead after safety Christian Ellis’ 41-yard touchdown: On second and 10, linebacker Jayden Wilson sacked quarterback Tommy Mellott, who fumbled before Ellis scooped it up and ran it in.
Luke Drzewiecki’s 45-yard field goal and tight end Trace Bruckler’s 12-yard touchdown reception gave UNM a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. Mellott (205 passing yards) answered with two passing touchdowns to draw the Bobcats within three.
UNM answered with a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by Damper’s lone rushing TD. On second and 4, Dampier lined up under center, faked the handoff to running back Na’Quari Rogers and ran around the left end untouched for a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rally-cats-montana-state-erases-030100343.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2024-08-25 03:01:00
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