Quick Read
- New Mexico defeated Colorado State 20-17 in a defensive struggle.
- Both teams combined for 11 punts, 8 sacks, and 8 turnovers.
- Darius Curry replaced Jackson Brousseau as CSU quarterback, passing for 248 yards but throwing 3 interceptions.
- Lobos clinched their seventh win of the season, their best since 2016.
- Colorado State dropped to 2-8, tied for last in the Mountain West Conference.
Defensive Stalemate Defines the Night in Albuquerque
Saturday night in Albuquerque, football fans witnessed a game that defied recent expectations. Both the Colorado State Rams and the New Mexico Lobos came into the matchup nursing wounds from defensive breakdowns against high-scoring UNLV. But instead of another shootout, the contest unfolded as a hard-nosed defensive struggle, with the Lobos emerging victorious, 20-17.
The opening quarter set the tone, with six possessions and six punts, and just 91 yards of offense combined. Colorado State’s quarterback Jackson Brousseau struggled to make headway, averaging a meager 3.2 yards per attempt. This lackluster start led to a quick hook—Brousseau was benched for redshirt freshman Darius Curry, who has shown flashes in previous games but had yet to start a full contest.
Quarterback Carousel and Turnovers Shake Up Rams’ Offense
Curry’s debut drive stalled on downs, prompting another switch back to Brousseau, only for the Rams to produce another three-and-out. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s offense, led by Jack Layne, began to find its rhythm, posting 10 points in the second quarter. Still, the Rams’ defense refused to let the game slip away, setting the stage for a chaotic second half.
The third and fourth quarters saw turnovers pile up: interceptions, fumbles, and drives ending abruptly. Curry’s tenure as signal caller was marked by three interceptions, but he also completed 26 of 31 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns—impressive numbers, marred by costly mistakes. Seven different Rams receivers posted double-digit yardage, with tight end Rocky Beers again leading the group with 67 yards and a touchdown.
Lobos Capitalize on Ground Game and Big Plays
New Mexico’s approach was balanced but opportunistic. D.J. McKinney carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards and a touchdown, anchoring a rushing attack that outgained Colorado State 122-13 on the ground. Jack Layne, while inefficient with his passing (13 of 25), delivered big plays—his 225 passing yards came in chunks, exploiting the Rams’ defense at key moments. Four Lobos receivers topped 40 yards, each making at least one catch of 17 or more yards.
Defensively, both teams were relentless. The game featured 11 punts, 8 sacks (split evenly), and 8 turnovers. Linebackers Owen Long (CSU) and Jackson Eck (UNM), the Mountain West’s leading tacklers, were everywhere, registering 12 and 11 tackles respectively. New Mexico’s safeties, Austin Brawley and Caleb Coleman, were pivotal, each intercepting Curry and snuffing out Rams’ rallies.
Late Drama, But Lobos Hold On
The final minutes brought a burst of hope for Colorado State. Down 20-10, Curry orchestrated a late touchdown drive, capped by a 41-yard screen pass to Lloyd Avant. The Rams, however, could not recover the time lost when the Lobos chewed up clock with a disciplined final drive, advancing to the CSU 12 and leaving the Rams with no path to a comeback.
For New Mexico, the win marks their seventh of the season—their highest total since 2016—and keeps them in the upper tier of the Mountain West standings. Colorado State, now at 2-8, finds itself in a familiar place: tied for last in the conference, with five losing seasons in the past eight years. The Rams’ next test is a road game against Boise State, while New Mexico prepares to face Air Force, a team known for close finishes.
Box scores and statistics only tell part of the story. Saturday’s game, with its back-and-forth quarterback drama, defensive heroics, and untimely turnovers, felt like a microcosm of both teams’ seasons: flashes of promise, undermined by inconsistency and missed opportunities. As the Lobos celebrate a revival and the Rams search for answers, the Mountain West continues to deliver unpredictable football.
On balance, New Mexico’s ability to capitalize on Colorado State’s mistakes—especially turnovers—proved decisive. While Curry’s passing performance hinted at future potential, his errors underscored the challenges facing the Rams as they rebuild. The Lobos’ disciplined defense and timely offensive surges made all the difference in a contest where every yard, every possession, was hard-earned.