UNM Football: Lobos head to Lynchburg to take on Liberty

The Rio Grande Rivalry did not disappoint as the game amounted to 107 total points scored, as the University of New Mexico Lobos (2-1) edged a 55-52 victory over New Mexico State Aggies (0-4).

Out of the 110 matches played between the two schools, this was the first time both teams scored 50 plus points.

There has been only one other match where the combined total reached over 100, and that was in 1917 when NMSU routed the Lobos 110–3.

Starting quarterback Tevaka Tuioti went 16-for-28 for 355 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Aggies’ Josh Adkins went 30-for-47 for 335 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. New Mexico’s defensive managed to sack Adkins twice, while Tuioti remained untouched.

The Lobos are back on the road as they prepare to face Liberty (2-2) on Saturday in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty enters the game winners of their last two contests, including a lopsided victory over Hampton (2-2) 62-27 on 09/21.

The rematch alludes to last year’s matchup where UNM nearly completed the comeback. While finding themselves down 42-10 at the half, the Lobos went on a 33-7 run. With just three minutes remaining, Liberty converted a crucial third-and-six and sealed the game with a field goal for a 52-43 win.

Quarterback Tevaka Tuioti endured a season-ending injury during the game – while Sheriron Jones was the man behind the near comeback as he threw for 312 yards.

Tuioti remains in fine form as he is coming off a career game against New Mexico State, tied for 23rd-most yards in a single game in UNM history. His impressive 414 yards of total offense earned him the seventh seed in school history for total offensive yards a single game.

Two Liberty players UNM must focus on is quarterback Stephen Calvert who went 10-for-16 for 319 yards, zero interceptions and two touchdowns against Hampton – also wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden who is averaging 136 yards per game.

During a media luncheon held on Tuesday, Head Coach Bob Davie mentions he is doing well and is progressing accordingly. “I’m back one-hundred percent. Anxious to get going. It’s full-speed ahead.”
Davie also reported defensive line Aaron Blackwell received ACL surgery Thursday – followed by wide receiver Elijah Lilly who underwent labrum surgery on Wednesday.

The game kicks off at 4:06 p.m. (MST) at Williams Stadium. Live coverage on ESPN+.

Image via Liberty.edu