Wyoming Cowboys vs. New Mexico Game Lobos
Saturday’s college football matchup between New Mexico and Wyoming at University Stadium will begin at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- Who: Wyoming vs. New Mexico
- Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
- Time: 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT
- Venue: University Stadium
- TV: TruTV/MAX
- Play by Play: Analyst Darius Walker, Sidelines Jared Greenberg
- Radio: Lobo Radio Network Robert Portnoy, Dontrell Moore, Ned James
- Tickets: Get tickets for the game on Ticketmaster
The Lobos are solid favorites (-7.5) in their game versus the Cowboys, with the over/under at 59.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Lobos are -299 and the Cowboys are +236.)
Mountain West Conference foes match up when the New Mexico Lobos (3-5) and the Wyoming Cowboys (1-7) play on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at University Stadium (NM)
The Lobos are coming off a tough 17-6 loss to Colorado State, ending a three-game winning skid in a game they should have won.
UNM was penalized 10 times for 65 yards, which was 20 yards, and the timing of those penalties could not have been the worst time in the game.
The Lobo offense that had previously averaged over 50 points a game (three games) was stymied by only being able to generate 6 points against the Rams and
Against the Rams, Devon Dampier led the Lobos with 319 yards, completing 23 of 40 passes (57.5%) with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
He also rushed 15 times for 51 yards. Eli Sanders carried the ball 15 times for 70 yards (averaging 4.7 yards per carry) and added four receptions for 42 yards in the passing game.
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Ryan Davis was the standout receiver, hauling nine passes for 146 yards. He also had a breakout game, catching everything thrown to him in some very impressive catches with defenders on him.
With only 58 FBS snaps, Michael Buckley saw his career’s most extensive playing time. The Cabo San Lucas, Mexico native’s production—seven catches for 90 yards—was a highlight on a day when the offense struggled to find many bright spots.
One could argue that the Ram defense played lights out to shut down this high-powered Lobo offense, which was ranked in the top ten in FBS last week.
The Lobos’ offense, led by OC Jason Beck, was missing star receivers Luke Wysong and Caleb Medford. This limited their deep-threat capability and placed extra pressure on QB Devon Dampier to generate scoring opportunities.
Wide receiver Caleb Medford and running backs Na’Quari Rogers and Javen Jacobs was sidelined for Saturday’s game, while leading receiver Luke Wysong exited after sustaining an undisclosed injury on UNM’s opening drive.
Rogers, Jacobs, Medford, and Wysong have amassed 1,583 rushing and receiving yards this season, accounting for 42.3% of UNM’s total offense, putting the team’s offensive depth to its toughest test yet.
Running back Eli Sanders, QB Devon Dampier, and Wide Receiver Michae Buckley gave their all from the backfield, but Wysong’s absence was noticeable.
Still, UNM missed its entire lineup of ground options with injured running backs, which head coach Mendenhall acknowledged had a “significant” impact on their running game.
“There are different styles, tempos, and complementary ways to move the ball,” Mendenhall noted. “With those guys out, we were definitely a bit more limited.”
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Coupled with costly penalties, mainly on the offensive side of the ball, it was not helpful in the loss to the Rams.
They allowed this game to get away from them, which was very winnable from a football standpoint.
UNM was flagged 10 times for 65 yards against the Rams, 20 yards below their elevated season average.
UNM offense was its worst enemy, as many times they would make a good play only to be flagged for a penalty to hinder any momentum.
Despite putting up a season-low six points, New Mexico’s offense racked up an impressive 453 total yards.
Defensively, the Lobos allowed only 10 points, shutting out the Rams in the second half and forcing five punts.
Key stats from UNM’s season-best defensive showing against the Rams last week include 334 total yards allowed (142 passing, 192 rushing), one offensive touchdown, two field goals, and five third-down stops out of 13 attempts (38.6%).
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Colorado State ended the game with a knee after punting five consecutive times and never ran a single play in the red zone all afternoon.
For weeks, Mendenhall and his players have expressed confidence in the defense’s progress. While performances had been inconsistent, the signs of improvement were clear.
On the other hand, Wyoming is also on a three-game losing streak, with losses by just three, 10, and two points.
The Lobos must approach this game against the Pokes knowing that Wyoming is desperate for a win and that their bowl hopes for this year count on getting this win.
In their most recent game, Wyoming fell 27-25 to Utah State on a last-second field goal.
The Cowboys have won the last two meetings against the Lobos, and the rivalry typically features low-scoring games—until last year’s 35-26 Wyoming win, the only game in the previous seven meetings in which the combined score topped 50 points.
Wyoming leads the all-time series against New Mexico 40-36, with a 20-15 edge in Albuquerque, and the last matchup at University Stadium saw the Lobos fall 27-14.
This rivalry has been streaky over the past decade. Wyoming currently holds a two-game win streak, which followed two straight wins for UNM, including a 14-3 victory in Laramie and a tight 17-16 win in Las Vegas.
Before that, Wyoming had taken three in a row, reversing UNM’s three-game streak. The teams first faced off on Thanksgiving Day in 1930, when Wyoming claimed a 19-6 win.
Can the Wyoming Cowboys Pull Off an Upset as Road Underdogs?
Wyoming enters Week 10 with a 1-7 record, no bowl eligibility, and ranks 122nd in our college football power rankings; they are 0-3 on the road and 1-3 at home.
Photo courtesy of MW Connection
This season, the Cowboys have only been favored once, averaging a -11.9-point scoring margin. They’re 3-4 against the spread, going 2-2 at home and 1-2 on the road.
In terms of totals, Wyoming’s games have hit the over in 5 out of 7 contests, with an average of 48.1 points per game—well below this week’s line of 59.5, which is their highest this season.
Offensively, Wyoming has struggled, averaging 18.1 points per game, placing them 128th in our offensive rankings.
Cowboy QB Kaden Anderson had a solid performance for the Cowboys against the Aggies, completing 15 of 24 passes for 182 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Photo courtesy of Casper Star Tribune
He also rushed nine times for 25 yards. Sam Scott contributed with 11 carries for 115 yards and one touchdown. Chris Durr Jr. was the leading receiver, making nine catches for 83 yards on 10 targets.
Their passing game ranks low with a passer rating of 61, the lowest in the nation. They rank 110th in passing yards per game at 175.2, with a third-down conversion rate of 36.6%.
QB Evan Svoboda has posted 1,025 passing yards, with four touchdowns against seven interceptions for a passer rating of 56. Wyoming’s run game, averaging 133.2 yards per game, is led by Sam Scott, who has 424 yards on the season with three touchdowns.
On defense, Wyoming allows 30 points per game. In their recent 27-25 loss to Utah State, they allowed 378 total yards, including 230 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Wyoming’s defense has given up 239.5 passing yards per game, ranking 121st, and 172.4 rushing yards per game. Opponents complete 59.7% of passes for a 94.9 passer rating.
Will the New Mexico Lobos Defend Home Field?
The Lobos enter Week 10 at 3-5, ranked 114th in our power rankings, with a 15.3% chance of becoming bowl-eligible.
They’re 1-1 and 2-3 at home on the road. New Mexico is 3-0 as the favorite and 0-4 as the underdog, averaging a -6.2-point scoring margin. Against the spread, they’re 4-3, with a 3-0 record as favorites and 1-3 as underdogs.
The Lobos’ games have hit the over in 5 of 7 contests, averaging 73.2 points, with an over/under line this week set at 59.5 points.
A strong run game powers New Mexico’s offense. The team averages 209.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 17th nationally.
They’re 25th in scoring at 33.5 points per game and sit 35th in our offensive rankings. QB Devon Dampier has thrown for 2,079 yards but has more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (9).
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
In comparison, Eli Sanders leads their rushing attack with 456 yards. Luke Wysong has been a standout receiver with 663 yards on 50 catches.
The Lobos have struggled defensively, allowing 39.8 points per game. They’re ranked 126th in passing defense, allowing 244.2 yards per game, and 171st in rushing defense, giving up 234.8 yards per game.
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Last week against Colorado State, they allowed 334 total yards, including 192 rushing and 142 passing, one of their best efforts all season.
Make no mistake: if the Lobo defense from last week’s game against CSU shows up and the offense, which has been a strength this year, is strong, this game will be the Lobos’, especially at home.
Prediction UNM Lobos 38 Wyoming 28