News Summary
The New Mexico Lobos secured a landmark win against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl, with a decisive score of 35-10. This victory not only improves their season record to 2-1, but also represents their first win against a Big Ten team. Head Coach Jason Eck celebrated a significant milestone in his coaching career, showcasing strong teamwork and dominance throughout the game. Highlights included a standout performance by Damon Bankston, who led the Lobos in rushing yards. This victory is a pivotal moment in the program’s history.
Pasadena, California — The New Mexico Lobos achieved a historic victory over the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, September 16, 2023, winning decisively with a score of 35-10 at the Rose Bowl. This victory improved the Lobos’ season record to 2-1 and marked a significant milestone in the program’s history.
Head Coach Jason Eck celebrated his signature win in just his third game at the helm of New Mexico. Notably, this victory also establishes the largest margin of victory for a Mountain West team over a Big Ten opponent since September 7, 2002, when Utah defeated Indiana 40-13. Furthermore, this matchup marked the first-ever win for New Mexico against a team from the Big Ten Conference.
The Lobos’ triumph is believed to be the largest margin of victory in a non-conference road game for UNM, excluding games against New Mexico State, since October 17, 1931. New Mexico displayed strong dominance throughout the game, though they led only 14-7 at halftime.
Game Highlights
New Mexico opened the scoring early, with Scottre Humphrey rushing in for a one-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The Lobos quickly extended their lead to 14-0 when quarterback Jack Layne connected with Simon Mapa for a touchdown pass, marking Mapa’s first career reception. The Bruins responded with a push of their own, but a missed opportunity by New Mexico, where Deshaun Buchanan turned the ball over after a fourth-and-1 attempt, kept UCLA in the game.
A crucial moment came when the Lobos’ special teams unit faltered. UCLA capitalized on a muffed punt, converting it into a 51-yard field goal to narrow the score to 14-10. However, New Mexico quickly regained control in the second half, executing a long and methodical 75-yard touchdown drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock. This drive culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by Damon Bankston, extending the Lobos’ lead to 21-10.
Defensive Dominance
The Lobos’ defense overwhelmed the UCLA offense, allowing only 326 total yards and just 10 points in the entire game. A critical turnover on downs, orchestrated by Abraham Williams who disrupted a fourth-down pass, exemplified New Mexico’s defensive strength. Following this, the Lobos further widened their lead to 28-10 with another touchdown from a screen pass to Bankston.
In a final push, Tavian Combs intercepted a Bruins pass after Jaxton Eck tipped it, allowing New Mexico to regain possession. The scoring was capped off by D.J. McKinney’s three-yard touchdown run following a dramatic 54-yard run by Bankston, ending the game with a conclusive score of 35-10.
Player Performances
Damon Bankston was a standout player, leading the Lobos with an impressive 154 rushing yards and a total of 203 all-purpose yards. The Lobos showcased numerous player personnel changes in this game, with Shawn Miller starting as wide receiver and Deshaun Buchanan shifting into the running back position.
Context of the Victory
This historic win under Coach Eck not only signifies a promising beginning for his coaching tenure but also highlights New Mexico’s growing competitiveness in college football. The Lobos were particularly effective in their physical play and offensive strategy, aided by a robust performance from their offensive line and a strong ground game.
Overall, the New Mexico Lobos delivered a powerful display of teamwork and athleticism against a well-regarded opponent in UCLA, marking a new chapter in the program’s history with their first victory over a Big Ten team.
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Additional Resources
- Pasadena Now: Community Action at Rose Bowl
- LAist: Changes at the Rose Bowl
- UCLA Bruins: Football Hosts New Mexico
- Grimy Goods: Oasis Show at the Rose Bowl
- The Sporting Tribune: New Mexico vs. UCLA Photos
- Wikipedia: Rose Bowl
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rose Bowl
- Google Search: Rose Bowl
- Google News: New Mexico Lobos UCLA Bruins
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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