UNM’s losing streak reached six games in a heartbreaking 38-35 victory by UNLV at DreamStyle Stadium on Friday Night.
The Lobos look poised to send out 20 graduating seniors with a win on senior night when Lamar Jordan Put UNM up 35-30 on a 41-yard touchdown run with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter. But the Rebels responded with a quick touchdown strike of their own to regain the lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Armani Rodgers to Kendal Keys with 25 seconds left on the clock.
The play capped a record-setting performance by Rogers and kept UNLV’s bowl aspirations alive. Rogers set a new school rushing record for quarterbacks with `193 yards on 25 carries. The 6-5, 225-pound freshman from Los Angeles, California, added 211 yards and one touchdown through the air.
In his final game before the home crowd in Albuquerque, Lamar Jordan failed to complete a pass on four attempts, but he did add 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground as part of an impressive 482-yard rushing performance by the New Mexico offense.
With the win, the Rebels move to 5-6 on the season, and 4-3 in Mountain West Conference play. A win over Nevada next week would make UNLV bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.
The Lobos continue to move in the wrong direction after finishing 9-4 last season. The Lobos are 3-8 overall and 1-6 in conference play, with another likely loss on the slate next week with a tough road matchup against 8-2 San Diego State.