Fresno State vs. New Mexico Game Info
- Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: truTV
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Sling (Regional restrictions may apply)
- City: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Venue: University Stadium (NM)
MWC rivals face off as the Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1) take on the New Mexico Lobos (0-3) on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at University Stadium in New Mexico.
There’s no doubt that Fresno State remembers last year’s upset loss to Danny Gonzales’ New Mexico Lobos 25-17, especially with the Bulldogs favored by 28 points in that game.
As they head into Albuquerque, Fresno State is eager for some payback, but this time, they’ll face a team led by new head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
This year’s Lobos, despite being 0-3 with losses to Montana State, Arizona, and last week’s Auburn, look significantly better as a team than last year’s Lobos.
At least on the offensive side of the ball, OC Jason Beck’s scheme and having a dynamic Quarterback, Devon Dampier, certainly have helped them.
The UNM Lobo’s offense is fifth in total offense in the Mountain West Conference, averaging 29.67 points per game behind San Jose St, Fresno St, UNLV, and Boise State, which leads at 45 points per game.
In contrast to the Lobos, who are dead last in total defense in the Mountain West Conference, giving up 565.7 yards per game, the team giving up the fewest is San Jose State, at 248.33 yards per game to date.
The Mountain West Conference has the most challenging nonconference schedule in the FBS. MW teams have 35 nonconference games scheduled this season against Autonomous four opponents.
This is the most of any FBS league (counting Notre Dame, Oregon State, and Washington State as A4 teams), with the next-closest totaling 27
This year, UNM Lobos has the third-hardest schedule, with a national ranking of 79th, behind Utah State at 76th and UNLV at 75th, according to College Football Network.
So if Bronco Mendenhall’s Lobos can fix this defense, outcomes in the win collum would change drastically, and he has done an excellent job with the talent this team has; it’s evident to anyone who has watched this team compete this year.
Fresno State is coming off a dominant win last Saturday at Valley Children’s Stadium, defeating New Mexico’s in-state rival, the NMSU Aggies—whom the Lobos will face next week in Las Cruces.
As the Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1) prepare to face the New Mexico Lobos (0-3) on Saturday, the numbers tell a compelling story of mismatched defenses and potent offenses.
Fresno State averages 34.7 points per game, which could spell trouble for a New Mexico defense that has surrendered an eye-popping 47 points per game.
The Bulldogs are also well-positioned to exploit the Lobos’ shaky defense, which has given up an average of 565.7 yards per game, significantly more than the 427.3 yards Fresno State’s offense has been generating.
Photo courtesy of Fresno State Football 2024
Fresno State Offensive Leaders The Bulldogs’ offense is spearheaded by wide receiver Mac Dalena, who has been a dominant force, hauling in 15 catches for 384 yards (128.0 yards per game) and three touchdowns in just three games.
Quarterback Mikey Keene has also been a key contributor, passing for 814 yards (271.3 yards per game) with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Running back Malik Sherrod adds balance to the attack, rushing for 191 yards (63.7 yards per game) and three touchdowns. Complementing the air assault, wideout Jalen Moss has posted 222 yards on 13 catches, averaging 74.0 yards per game. Cameron Lockridge has been a playmaker on defense with 12 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and three interceptions, making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
Photo courtesy of UNM Football 2024
New Mexico’s Offensive Battle Despite their struggles, New Mexico has shown flashes of offensive promise, averaging 29.7 points per game, which exceeds Fresno State’s defensive allowance of 20.0 points per contest.
Quarterback Devon Dampier has been effective, throwing for 723 yards (241.0 yards per game) and five touchdowns. However, his four interceptions have slowed the Lobos’ momentum.
Luke Wysong leads the receiving corps with 20 receptions for 281 yards (93.7 yards per game) and one touchdown, while Eli Sanders has rushed for 189 yards, though he has yet to find the end zone.
Caleb Medford has contributed two receiving touchdowns, adding another dimension to New Mexico’s offense.
Defensive Showdown: While Fresno State’s defense has only given up 292.0 yards per game, the Lobos’ offense has generated 414.3 yards per contest—creating an intriguing battle between the Bulldogs’ stout defense and New Mexico’s ability to rack up yards.
However, despite gaining yards, the Lobos have been unable to turn them into wins, going 0-3 when surpassing Fresno State’s average allowed yards.
Fresno State’s balance and defensive stability may give them the edge over New Mexico’s potential but inconsistent attack in a clash of mismatched defenses and capable offenses.
Expect the Bulldogs to capitalize on the Lobos’ defensive vulnerabilities and extend their winning streak.
Photo courtesy of UNM Football 2024
Fresno State Leaders
- Keene has thrown for 814 yards (271.3 yards per game) on 58-of-93 passing, with five touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
- Sherrod has 191 rushing yards on 51 carries, scoring three touchdowns.
- Elijah Gilliam has 91 yards on 23 carries (30.3 yards per game) and one touchdown.
- Dalena leads the team with 384 receiving yards, 15 receptions, and three touchdowns.
- Jalen Moss has 13 receptions for 222 yards.
- Raylen Sharpe has nine catches for 84 yards and one touchdown.
New Mexico Leaders
- Dampier has 723 passing yards (241.0 yards per game), five touchdowns, four interceptions, 181 rushing yards (60.3 yards per game), and three rushing touchdowns.
- Sanders has 189 rushing yards on 40 carries.
- Luke Wysong leads with 281 receiving yards on 20 receptions and one touchdown.
- Davis has 152 receiving yards on 12 catches (50.7 ypg).
- Javen Jacobs has eight catches for 77 yards.
Photo courtesy of UNM Football 2024
Based on current trends and statistics, Fresno State is favored to win its upcoming matchup against New Mexico.
Here’s why Fresno State has the edge:
- Offensive Power: Fresno State averages 34.7 points per game, while New Mexico’s defense has allowed 47 points per game. Fresno State’s well-rounded offense, led by quarterback Mikey Keene and receiver Mac Dalena, should be able to exploit New Mexico’s struggling defense.
- Defensive Stability: Fresno State’s defense allows just 292.0 yards per game, far fewer than New Mexico’s average of 414.3 yards per game. They’ve also been strong in forcing turnovers, with standout players like Cameron Lockridge contributing interceptions.
- New Mexico’s Defensive Struggles: The Lobos allow 565.7 yards per game, which will likely be a significant weakness against Fresno State’s offensive efficiency. Even though New Mexico has shown offensive flashes, they’ve struggled to turn that into wins, going 0-3 despite scoring more than 20 points.
Given these factors, Fresno State is likely to win, potentially by a significant margin, unless New Mexico can tighten up its defense and capitalize on offensive opportunities.
If the Lobos’ defense steps up, this could be one of those marquee matchups where they finally put together a complete game—four solid quarters of offensive production and defensive stops.
The Lobos are playing a balanced team on both the offensive side of the ball, averaging 34.67 points per game (third in the Mountain West Conference) and second in scoring defense at 292 yards per game.
So, this has to be a game in which both the Lobos’ offense under OC Jason Beck and Defense under Nick Howell step up to give the Lobos any chance at a victory in Albuquerque at University Stadium.
If that happens, the Lobos could pull off an upset and shake things up in the Mountain West Conference.
I call it the “Bronco Mendenhall factor.” Mendenhall knows how to coach and instills in his team a belief that they can win every time they step on the field. We’ll see if that belief translates into results.