The New Mexico Lobos’ season ended on a disappointing note as they lost 38-30 to the University of Hawai’i, eliminating their bowl game hopes. Freshman quarterback Micah Alejado led Hawai’i with 469 yards and five touchdowns. Devon Dampier had a standout performance for the Lobos, scoring three rushing touchdowns, tying the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season. Despite strong individual efforts, the Lobos concluded their season at 5-7. Additionally, the Lobos’ women’s basketball team secured a thrilling 65-62 victory over UC Irvine, showcasing resilience and teamwork, while men’s basketball also bounced back with a win over USC after facing Arizona State.
Lobos’ Season Finale: Hawai’i Ends Bowl Hopes in High-Scoring Showdown
The New Mexico Lobos faced another challenging opponent in their final game of the season as they took on the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors. Unfortunately for the Lobos, a freshman quarterback making his first start proved to be too much to handle once again. Micah Alejado threw an impressive 469 yards and five touchdowns, propelling Hawai’i to a 38-30 victory that dashed New Mexico’s hopes for a bowl game.
The Lobos concluded their season with a 5-7 record overall, including a 3-4 mark in the Mountain West Conference. Throughout the contest, New Mexico found themselves trailing, struggling to keep pace with the explosive Rainbow Warriors’ offense.
In a dramatic fourth quarter, the Lobos were down 31-16 when Devon Dampier doggedly made his way to the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the game. With that score, he tied DonTrell Moore’s school record for rushing touchdowns in a season, bringing New Mexico within eight points at 31-23, with just over 13 minutes remaining in the contest.
Needing to stop the Rainbow Warriors on their next possession, the Lobos appeared to have forced a three-and-out; however, a pivotal play shifted the momentum. On third-and-1, Alejado completed a pass to Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala. The ball clearly hit the turf, but after review, the original call stood, allowing Hawai’i to continue their drive and push the score to 38-23.
The Lobos weren’t finished yet, responding once again with a scoring drive that culminated in a touchdown run from Na’Quari Rogers, making the score 38-30. The attempt to recover the ensuing onside kick nearly succeeded when quarterback Isaiah Chavez knocked the ball loose, but it ultimately bounced into the hands of Spencer Curtis.
Faced with a pressing situation, the Rainbow Warriors were able to convert two first downs to secure their victory. Alejado scrambled, hitting Curtis again for a crucial 11-yard gain. Once Hawai’i gained the necessary first downs, they took knees to run out the clock and seal the victory.
Missed Opportunities Early
The first half was marked by key missed opportunities for the Lobos. After falling behind 7-0, Luke Drzewiecki’s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide. New Mexico managed to move down the field, only to face yet another setback. Dampier ran the ball in from three yards out for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt fell flat, leaving the Lobos trailing 7-6.
Hawai’i swiftly countered as Alejado connected with Dekel Crowdus for a dazzling 52-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-6. Drzewiecki later added a 36-yard field goal to narrow the gap but could not prevent Alejado from firing another touchdown pass—this time to Mokiao-Atimalala for a 21-9 advantage at halftime.
New Mexico’s efforts to drive the field were halted due to a fumble by Dampier, extinguishing any momentum they had built before halftime, as a missed 33-yard field goal attempt by Kansei Matsuzawa maintained the 21-9 deficit going into the break.
UNM Players Garner Honors
Even with the season’s mixed results, honors were bestowed upon several New Mexico players, showcasing the bright spots amidst the challenges. Four players were recognized for their excellence in the conference; Devon Dampier and Baraka Beckett received First Team All-Mountain West honors, while Luke Wysong and McKenzie Agnello were named to the Second Team.
Dampier made history by becoming the first Lobo quarterback to earn First Team All-Mountain West distinction. He led the league in total offense with astounding numbers, amassing 3,934 total yards and rushing for 1,166 yards. Dampier also tossed 19 touchdowns and set a record for a Lobo quarterback, becoming the only player to throw every pass for New Mexico throughout the season.
Beckett, similarly impressive, earned First Team honors at left guard, showcasing a formidable offensive line that facilitated the Lobos ranking fourth nationally in total offense and third in rushing. His near-perfect pass-blocking performance allowed no sacks, hurries, or hits on 474 attempts, making him a valuable asset to the team.
In addition to individual accolades, the Lobos celebrated a successful season despite their overall record. Wysong, with his receptions and yardage, tied historical marks, while Agnello stepped up impressively as a last-minute center replacement, contributing to New Mexico’s offensive efficiency.
Lobo Women’s Basketball Triumphs
In a thrilling twist in women’s basketball, the Lobos took to the court against UC Irvine, fighting fiercely for a victory that exemplified resilience and teamwork. Trailing 59-56 with just over two minutes to play, New Mexico rallied back to finish the game with a decisive 65-62 win. Lara Langermann struck the winning shot with just 0.2 seconds remaining, rounding off a gripping contest.
Although it was her only basket of the night, the three-pointer was aided by a career-high seven assists from Alyssa Hargrove. The Lobos showcased a determined defensive and rebounding effort, dominating the boards with a 47-33 edge and forcing key turnovers late in the game that fueled their comeback.
Destinee Hooks and Viané Cumber were instrumental, each contributing a double-double. Hooks led the Lobo scoring with 17 points, while Cumber added 15 points alongside ten rebounds. Hargrove’s persistent play ensured she came in a close third, scoring 10 points to support the team’s offensive endeavors.
The beginning of the game was a powerful statement from the Lobos, as they surged to an early lead. Strong defensive efforts allowed them to capitalize on turnovers, shutting down UC Irvine’s offense during critical stretches in the game. The Lobos’ early aggression established a significant rhythm, culminating in a well-deserved victory.
Domination Over North Texas
Following the thrilling win over UC Irvine, the Lobos continued their impressive run, overpowering North Texas in their next outing with a definitive score of 75-58. Led once again by the dynamic duo of Hooks and Cumber, each contributing 19 points, the Lobos controlled the game, marked by their tenacious defense with a season-high 15 steals.
From the very onset, New Mexico set the tone with an aggressive push, accumulating a commanding lead that reached as high as 19 points. Hargrove made significant contributions, recording a game-high five steals while finding ways to distribute the ball effectively.
As the game progressed, New Mexico’s defensive prowess became increasingly evident as they consistently forced turnovers and converted them into points. Their ability to restrict North Texas in the painted area and capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved crucial, as they maintained a steady pace throughout the match.
With this victory, New Mexico improved to 5-3, continuing their commendable play on the court as they prepared to face New Mexico State in an upcoming rivalry matchup.
Men’s Basketball Fight at Acrisure Classic
In men’s basketball, the Lobos faced a tough challenge in the Acrisure Classic, falling just short against Arizona State by a score of 85-82. Led by standout performances from Donovan Dent and Mustapha Amzil, New Mexico displayed resilience and effort but ultimately could not maintain their lead in the final moments.
Despite having a robust start and building a 37-34 lead at halftime, the Lobos were pushed back in the second half but demonstrated remarkable scoring efficiency, highlighted by Dent’s 30-point and seven-assist output, marking his second career 30-point game.
While New Mexico enjoyed moments of momentum, Arizona State counter-attacked, employing strategic bursts of scoring to close the gap and eventually take command late in the game.
Despite the loss, New Mexico moved on to face USC in the third-place game of the tournament, aiming to bounce back after the heartbreaking loss just a day prior.
The Lobos turned the tables against the Trojans, successfully clinching an 83-73 victory and emphasizing their depth and talent as four different players scored in double digits. This win showcased the Lobos’ tenacity and ability to recover after a difficult defeat.
Moving forward, the Lobos opened their Mountain West play with high expectations, looking to build on their season’s strong points while addressing the areas needing improvement to ensure success as they navigate the challenges ahead.
As the Lobos conclude their season, both men’s and women’s basketball teams set their sights on upcoming conference play. The women look to build on their recent successes, reinforcing their team with strong performances, while the men aim to reinvigorate their roster and strategy to mitigate some of the burdens faced in non-conference play.
With several players receiving accolades, it’s clear that promise exists within the Lobos’ trajectory. Their dedication to development and perseverance serves as a foundation for better results, echoing a sentiment of optimism among fans and athletes alike going into the New Year.
UNM To Hold Introductory Press Conference
On December 4 at 10 a.m., Lobo fans will be able to watch as the University introduces their 14th AD/Vice President in school history. Fernando Lovo will be formally introduced to the media and the public on the Lobo YouTube and Facebook pages. It will also be available to watch on GoLobos.com.