New Mexico Lobos vs. Utah State Aggies Game
- Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: truTV
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Sling (Regional restrictions may apply)
- City: Logan, Utah
- Venue: Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium
The New Mexico Lobos (2-4) and the Utah State Aggies (1-5) play on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium in a battle of MWC foes.
Bronco Mendenhall’s Lobos are currently 7th in Mountain West Conference play with a 1-1 record, while Utah State is 11th at 0-2.
The New Mexico Lobos are set to face the Utah State Aggies in Logan this Saturday in a key Mountain West Conference matchup.
The Lobos come in with momentum, having defeated Air Force 52-37 in their last outing. Meanwhile, Utah State will look to bounce back after a 50-34 loss to UNLV.
Both teams are eager for a win to improve their conference standings. New Mexico will lean on its strong offensive showing from the Air Force game.
At the same time, Utah State hopes home-field advantage helps turn things around after their recent struggles.
Expect a competitive clash as both teams aim to make a statement in this late-season battle.
Lobos Offensive Coordinator Jason Beck’s offense scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time in 108 years, all behind one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the MWC.
UNM Lobos head coach Bronco Mendenhall has instilled a powerful mantra in his team: “Earned, Not Given.”
This philosophy emphasizes that success, both on and off the field, must be earned through hard work, discipline, and dedication rather than expecting handouts or shortcuts.
Mendenhall’s approach shapes New Mexico’s culture, encouraging players to take responsibility for their development and performance.
His “earned” mentality drives the Lobos to push beyond their limits, knowing that every victory, opportunity, and achievement results from their effort and commitment.
In a world where many things seem to be handed to people, and expectations often lean that way, Bronco Mendenhall has challenged the “me-first” mentality—and it’s starting to pay off on the field.
In Lobo Football, everything is earned—nothing is handed to you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a three-year starter, an All-American, a top recruit, or a walk-on.
You earn everything, and when you do, it holds more value, whether it’s gear, a jersey number, or the opportunity to represent New Mexico.
“‘Earned, not given’ is everything,” says head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “It’s the foundation of developing a human being. I think it reflects gratitude and hard work.”
Aggie’s Head coach had nothing but respect for Mendenhall in his weekly presser,
“I think that was just a home run hire for New Mexico,” Dreiling said. “To get (Mendenhall) down there. That is what he does; he fixes problems and builds programs. Whether he is going to flip it this year or down the road, he will get it done.”
You need look no further than where the Lobos are this season.
“If you look at their schedule, it has been pretty similar to ours,” Dreiling said. “They’ve played some really good teams and have kind of gotten on a roll the last couple of weeks against easier opponents.
They are way better than their record. We know that. Their offense has been rolling. So we have to get some stops, get some turnovers and get our offense on the field and get some points.”
The Lobos come into this game against Utah State, averaging 459 (37th in FBS) offensive yards per game, and the Aggies are averaging 473.8 (27th in FBS) yards per game.
Both teams consistently scored points, with the Aggies averaging 25 points per game and the Lobos averaging 35.3 points per game.
Both teams need help on the defensive side of the ball. The Lobos are 256th in FBS, giving up over 503 yards per game, and the Aggies are 257th, giving up 505.2 yards per game.
The Lobos have been giving up 242 yards passing and 256 yards rushing per game, and the Aggies give up 261 yards passing and 233 yards rushing per game.
The Lobo defense has been overshadowed by the spectacular performance of Offensive Coordinator Jason Beck’s Lobo offense this season, especially last week’s performance against Air Force.
Offensive coordinator Jason Beck has transformed the Lobos’ offense this season with a dynamic approach, leveraging speed and talent across the roster.
His impact was predictable, given his history of revitalizing offenses. At Simon Fraser, he took the team from last place to leading their conference in total, passing, and scoring offense.
Similarly, at Syracuse, in just one season, Beck’s offense produced a 1,000-yard rusher in LeQuint Allen and three receivers with over 30 catches, highlighting his consistent ability to elevate offensive performance.
New Mexico’s offense shined with five rushing touchdowns. Luke Wysong added his second career punt return touchdown as the Lobos secured their second consecutive win, defeating Air Force 52-37.
New Mexico ranks 25th in the country at the FBS Level with 35.3 points per game, led by their 208.7 rushing yards a game. The Lobos have struggled defensively, giving up 42.7 points a game.
This victory against the Air Force Falcons also marked Bronco Mendenhall’s first conference win at New Mexico and the first time they have won two in a row.
The last time the Lobo football team won two in a row in the same season was in 2016 under former Lobo head coach Bob Davie, when it won four in a row.
The Lobo football team won its last two games in a row in 2020, and its first two games in a row were in 2021 under former head coach Danny Gonzales.
So, there seems to be some genuine excitement among the Lobos fans in Albuquerque, who have stuck with this team through many down years.
The Lobos’ 50-point performance in back-to-back games is the first time the team has achieved this feat in 108 years.
New Mexico and Utah State Recent Games
The Lobos defeated Air Force 52-37 in their last game, while Utah State fell 50-34 to UNLV.
Devon Dampier completed 14 of 19 passes (73.7%) for New Mexico for 179 yards and a touchdown while rushing 11 times for 50 yards and two scores.
Eli Sanders added 80 yards and two touchdowns on five carries. Nic Trujillo caught four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
For Utah State, Spencer Petras threw for 461 yards, completing 41 of 59 passes (69.5%), with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Rahsul Faison rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Jalen Royals recorded 155 yards and a touchdown on ten catches.
New Mexico Leaders
Devon Dampier has been a dual threat for New Mexico: 1,488 passing yards, 58.5% completion, seven touchdowns, six interceptions, and 368 rushing yards (61.3 per game) on 52 carries with eight rushing touchdowns.
Dampier is 1 of 3 QBs in the nation this season to have 7+ passing TD’s and 7+ rushing TD’s.
Luke Wysong leads the team in receiving 507 yards on 40 catches (64 targets) and one touchdown.
Ryan Davis averages 48.3 yards per game on 22 receptions, while Nic Trujillo has 227 yards and one touchdown on 13 catches.
Eli Sanders: 312 rushing yards (52 per game) on 55 carries with two touchdowns.
Luke Wysong: 507 receiving yards on 40 catches (64 targets), one touchdown.
Ryan Davis: 22 catches, averaging 48.3 yards per game.
Nic Trujillo: 227 receiving yards on 13 catches, one touchdown.
Christian Ellis 18 solo tackles, 47 total tackles
Noah Avinger 25 solo tackles, 20 total tackles
Bryson Taylor 16 solo tackles, 35 total tackles
Noa Pola Gates 17 solo tackles, 26 total tackles
Utah State Leaders
Spencer Petras has thrown for 1,271 yards (211.8 per game), completing 65.4% of his passes with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
Rahsul Faison leads the rushing attack with 587 yards (97.8 per game) on 108 carries and three touchdowns.
Herschel Turner has added 153 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
Jalen Royals leads the receiving corps with 646 yards (107.7 per game) and five touchdowns on 44 catches (68 targets).
Kyrese Rowan has 301 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions, while Jack Hestera has 247 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches.
Spencer Petras: 1,271 passing yards (211.8 per game), 65.4% completion, nine touchdowns, six interceptions.
Rahsul Faison: 587 rushing yards (97.8 per game) on 108 carries, three touchdowns.
Herschel Turner had 153 rushing yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns.
Jalen Royals: 646 receiving yards (107.7 per game) on 44 catches (68 targets), five touchdowns.
Kyrese Rowan: 301 receiving yards on 19 catches, two touchdowns.
Jack Hestera: 247 receiving yards on 16 catches, three touchdowns.
So the bottom line is this: both teams need a victory. One would have to give the edge to New Mexico on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense must play solid and get critical stops to keep their offense on the field.
After watching the New Mexico Lobos defeat the Air Force Academy and sitting in the Mendenhall press conference, the thought came to my mind that if this defense can step up for the remaining teams on the schedule, the Lobos could go bowling in Mendenhall first-year, who would have thought?
Time will tell if this happens, but one has to be impressed with this Lobo team, the explosive offense, back-to-back 50-point games, the most dynamic Quarterback in the MWC, and a proven head coach of 18 years, 17 bowl games to boot.
Prediction: UNM 35, Utah State 28
