New Mexico Holds Off Colorado State for Narrow Victory: New Mexico 20, Colorado State 17
Recap of Colorado State vs New Mexico (17-20). Game highlights, key performances, and analysis.
New Mexico Holds Off Colorado State for Narrow Victory: New Mexico 20, Colorado State 17
The New Mexico Lobos emerged victorious in a hard-fought contest against the Colorado State Rams, securing a 20-17 victory. The game, marked by defensive battles and pivotal offensive plays, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Key Individual Performances
Colorado State's Darius Curry had a strong performance under center, completing 26 of 34 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was Rocky Beers, who hauled in seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Brousseau also saw some action at quarterback for the Rams, throwing for 38 yards on 8 of 12 passing. On the ground, Lloyd Avant led the Rams' rushing attack with 36 yards. Defensively, Owen Long recorded a game-high 12 tackles for Colorado State. Jeremy Naborne had a strong game, tallying 6 tackles and 2 sacks.
For New Mexico, quarterback Jack Layne threw for 226 yards on 13 of 25 passing, but did not find the end zone. DJ McKinney led the Lobos' rushing attack with 52 yards and a touchdown. In the receiving corps, Keagan Johnson led the way with 65 yards on five receptions. Defensively, Jaxton Eck led the Lobos with 11 tackles, while Keyshawn James-Newby and Tavian Combs each made significant contributions with a sack apiece.
Turning Points
The game saw several key plays that swung momentum. In the 1st quarter, a 43-yard reception by Zhaiel Smith from Jack Layne gave New Mexico a crucial first down and helped set the tone. In the 2nd quarter, Colorado State's Darius Curry was sacked for an 8-yard loss, setting the Rams back in their offensive drive. Later in the same quarter, a successful 45-yard field goal by L. Drzewiecki gave the Lobos a boost.
The 3rd quarter saw both teams struggle to establish a rhythm. Curry was sacked twice, once for a loss of 9 yards and then again for a loss of 8 yards, putting the Rams in a difficult spot.
The 4th quarter was filled with drama. Colorado State's Darius Curry connected with Lloyd Avant for a 41-yard touchdown, cutting the lead. However, New Mexico's defense came up big when A. Brawley intercepted a pass from Curry and returned it 56 yards to the Colorado State 21-yard line. This interception was a major turning point in the game. With the clock ticking down and the score close, the Rams’ defense held strong. Late in the 4th quarter, two sacks by Jeremy Naborne put the Lobos in a tough spot and forced a turnover on downs. However, with the clock at 0:00, L. Drzewiecki was able to kick a 35-yard field goal, giving the Lobos the win.
Looking Ahead
New Mexico will look to build on this hard-fought victory as they move forward in the season. The Lobos' defense will need to continue its strong play, while the offense will focus on converting key opportunities. Colorado State, despite the loss, showed resilience and flashes of brilliance. The Rams will need to address the turnovers and look to build consistency on both sides of the ball to improve their record.