New Mexico vs. Washington State
- Tickets: Get tickets for this game at StubHub
- Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 PM PT
- TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
- Place: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Venue: University Stadium (NM)
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
The New Mexico Lobos and the No. 18 Washington State Cougars square off on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at University Stadium (NM).
The University of New Mexico (4-6, 3-3 MW) steps out of conference for a third Power-5 game and first at home as UNM takes on the Washington State Cougars (8-1, 0-0 Pac-12) in a matchup that is huge both ways.
The Lobos need two wins to qualify for a bowl game, and one more conference win plus a host of other results to potentially earn UNM a spot at 4-3 in the Mountain West Championship game in what would amount to a six-way tie with Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, San Jose State and UNLV.
Washington State is still in the hunt for a potential 12-team playoff berth, coming in at No. 21 last week and certain to move up into the top-20 this week.
For a team that was predicted by most Mountian West Media writers to finish last of next to last , this Mendenhall team has overachieved in his first year as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos.
I might add, that this writer who votes in preseason media standing predicted them finishing 6th place and sure got a few laughs but currently the Lobos are at the 6th spot.
Photo Courtesy Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Saturday Showdown: Lobos vs. Cougars
It’s Senior Night in Albuquerque, and the stakes for the University of New Mexico Lobos couldn’t be more exciting in what promises to be a great college football game.
Despite a rocky 0-4 season start, the Lobos clawed their way back with an impressive three-game winning streak against New Mexico State, Air Force, and Utah State, losing to Wyoming at home and then getting a road win against SDSU.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, the Lobos are hungry for an upset against No. 18-ranked Washington State, a team that brings an 8-1 record and an edge in nearly every metric.
Washington State has been on a roll, consistently delivering standout performances and earning themselves a solid bowl game berth.
Although the Pac-12 title is out of reach, the Cougars are eyeing a strong finish that could elevate their CFP standings, albeit with slim odds.
Photo Courtesy of WSU Atheletics
The Cougars have dominated at home with a 3-0 record and maintained a 3-1 record on the road, showcasing their versatility and resilience.
New Mexico Lobos: A Season Defined by Resilience
New Mexico’s journey this season has been anything but easy. After a tough opening stretch, the Lobos rebounded with a string of solid wins.
However, they could still become bowl-eligible if they can get the last two games on schedule.
Despite what happens in the next two weeks, one must be very impressed with this Bronco Mendenhall team that was projected to finish close to dead last in the conference.
He must be one of the most focused coaches this writer has observed in over 20 years of involvement with the program in various roles.
Photo Courtesy Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
The Lobos have been effective against the spread (ATS), with a 5-4 record and a respectable 3-1 mark when favored, but Saturday’s game against the Cougars presents a much more formidable challenge.
The Lobos’ offense, driven mainly by a relentless ground game, ranks fourth in the nation with 238.9 rushing yards per game.
What the Offensive Cordinator Jason Beck has done at UNM is simply impressive, the “Beck” effect with players he basically inherited from the last years team under Danny Gonazales.
Eli Sanders, with 834 yards at an impressive 7 yards per carry, has been critical to this attack, and quarterback Devon Dampier’s dual-threat capability has kept opposing defenses on their toes.
Photo Courtesy New Mexico Lobos Brasil
Sanders has been flat-out explosive coming off the edge and outrunning defenders with his track speed.
The Lobos want to carry that momentum after a gritty 21-16 win over San Diego State.
Dampier’s efficient 175 yards through the air and 127 on the ground, paired with Sanders’ 173-yard rushing performance, showcased an offense with potential for explosive plays.
In this writer’s opinion, no other quarterback in the Mountain West Conference poses such a threat with his legs and arms in such dramatic fashion just when his team needs a big play! He is that good.
Courtesy of UNM Athletics
This offense under offensive coordinator Jason Beck averages 479.6 yards per game, ranking them 6th in the country.
They have been less impressive on being penalized for 853 yards per 98 infractions; this has been their Achilles heel this year.
The Lobos’ defense, however, has been tested. They give up 38.3 points per game, which ranks them 130th in D1.
They looked much more impressive in last week’s game against San Diego State, allowing only 16 points.
They must be at their best to contain Washington State’s potent offense, which has accumulated 4069 yards on the year.
They are a balanced team, scoring 23 passing and 23 rushing touchdowns.
Washington State is susceptible to giving up passing yards, conceding 2,370 yards at 114 in FBS Division 1.
Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/Young Kwak
So, watch for the Lobos to throw the ball to talented wide receivers Luke Wysong, Nic Trujillo, Caleb Medford, and Ryan Davis.
The Cougars give up an average of 263.3 yards per game and a completion ratio of 63.7% for 421.1 yards, ranking them 113th in the nation.
The Cougar defense has allowed 1420 yards of running in nine games, ranking it 88th in FBS. It also allows 27 points per game.
Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images / James Snook-Imagn Images
Washington State Cougars: Eyes on the Postseason
Washington State enters this matchup with confidence and a clear path to another win.
They’ve been consistently formidable on both sides of the ball, ranking 8th nationally with 39.3 points per game.
Quarterback John Mateer has been a standout, throwing for 2,332 yards with 22 touchdowns against six interceptions.
He’s supported by Wayshawn Parker, who averages 5 yards per carry, and Kyle Williams, a threat in the receiving game with 691 yards and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, the Cougars have held opponents to an average of 27 points per game.
They’ve been solid in recent games. While they allow an average of 158 rushing yards per game, they’ve managed to contain explosive plays.
Against Utah State, Washington State allowed 395 total yards but forced one interception, a testament to their knack for creating key turnovers.
Keys to the Game
For the Lobos, controlling the clock with a ground-heavy approach and keeping Mateer off the field will be crucial.
Dampier and Sanders must find their rhythm early, while New Mexico’s defense must find a way to contain Mateer, who has proved lethal with both his arm and legs.
The Cougars, on the other hand, will look to exploit New Mexico’s secondary. If Mateer can connect with his receiving corps, especially Williams, they’ll be in a prime position to take control early.
Washington State Top Performers
- John Mateer: Washington State’s versatile quarterback has tallied 2,332 passing yards with a 259.1 yards-per-game average, completing 62.4% of his passes for 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Additionally, he adds a dual-threat dimension with 137 rushes for 630 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
- Wayshawn Parker: The primary backfield threat, Parker has gained 595 rushing yards over 103 carries, averaging 66.1 yards per game with four rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, he has six catches for 79 yards, including 1 receiving touchdown.
- Kyle Williams: Leading the receiving corps, Williams has accumulated 686 yards from 42 receptions, averaging 76.2 yards per game with eight touchdowns.
- Kris Hutson and Josh Meredith provide additional receiving power with 542 and 409 yards, respectively, combining for four touchdowns.
- Ansel Din-Mbuh anchors the defensive line with 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, while Kyle Thornton and Ethan O’Connor lead the secondary, with Thornton adding 43 tackles and one interception and O’Connor recording three interceptions with three pass deflections.
New Mexico Standouts
- Devon Dampier: New Mexico’s dynamic quarterback, Dampier, has passed for 2,418 yards, averaging 241.8 yards per game with a 58.7% completion rate, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He’s been even more impressive on the ground, rushing for 858 yards and 13 touchdowns on 111 carries.
- Eli Sanders: Leading the ground attack, Sanders has 834 rushing yards over 117 carries, averaging 83.4 yards per game with eight touchdowns. He also has 12 catches for 103 yards.
- Luke Wysong and Ryan Davis lead the Lobos’ receiving game, with Wysong posting 700 yards and one touchdown. In comparison, Davis has 634 yards and three touchdowns.
- On defense, Nunie Tuitele has contributed 23 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks. In comparison, Noah Avinger and Dimitri Johnson support with 60 and 37 tackles, respectively, combining for two interceptions and two sacks.
This matchup pits New Mexico’s ground-focused attack against a balanced and dynamic Washington State offense. Both teams are eager to secure a statement win.
Prediction: Can the Lobos Shock the Cougars?
With a 13.5-point spread favoring Washington State, many see this as the Cougars’ game to lose.
However, New Mexico has shown grit all season. In front of a home crowd, they’ll look to channel that energy into a season-defining performance.
The Lobos must stay disciplined, avoid costly turnovers, and capitalize on every opportunity to pull off the upset.
Prediction: UNM 34, Washington State 28