In a stunning turn of events on Saturday night, the New Mexico Lobos delivered a major shockwave through college football, defeating the No. 18 Washington State Cougars 38-35. This electrifying victory, sealed with a late 1-yard touchdown run by Devon Dampier with just 21 seconds remaining, marked New Mexico’s first triumph over a ranked opponent since 2003 and effectively dashed Washington State’s already slim College Football Playoff aspirations.
Devon Dampier was the undisputed star for the Lobos, putting on a phenomenal all-around performance. He rushed for an impressive 192 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, consistently breaking tackles and finding open space. Adding to his dynamic play, Dampier also completed 11 of 25 passes for 174 yards and another touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. Eli Sanders provided crucial support in the ground game, contributing 108 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, as New Mexico’s rushing attack proved too much for the Cougars to handle. Dampier was particularly dominant in the second half, racking up 142 rushing yards and both of his touchdowns.
Washington State, who entered the game with an 8-1 record and ranked No. 18, initially looked in control. Quarterback John Mateer delivered a strong performance, throwing for 375 yards and four touchdowns on 25 of 36 completions. His primary target, Kyle Williams, was equally impressive, hauling in nine receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Williams’s third touchdown reception, a 37-yard strike from Mateer with just 3:12 left in the game, appeared to put the Cougars in the driver’s seat with a 35-31 lead. However, it proved to be short-lived.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, New Mexico had briefly taken a 30-28 lead thanks to a 21-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The Lobos had entered halftime trailing 28-14, but mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter. Dampier’s explosive 33-yard touchdown run and Sanders’s swift 26-yard scoring dash leveled the score, setting up a tense final quarter.
With Washington State’s loss, their hopes for a College Football Playoff berth have evaporated, and they are expected to fall in the AP Top 25 rankings. For New Mexico (now 5-6), this monumental victory keeps their bowl eligibility hopes alive in Bronco Mendenhall’s inaugural season as head coach.
Looking ahead, Washington State will face Oregon State next Saturday, while New Mexico is scheduled to play at Hawaii on November 30th. This Washington St Vs New Mexico game will be remembered as a significant upset and a defining moment for the New Mexico Lobos football program.
