LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico Lobos left Aggie Memorial Stadium with a decisive victory Saturday night, beating New Mexico State 42-18 in the 116th edition of the Rio Grande Rivalry and taking home the newly installed Chile Roaster trophy.
Third quarter surge seals the game
The Lobos turned a tight contest into a blowout with a 21-point third quarter that put the game out of reach. Quarterback Toa Fa’avae paced the offense with a mixture of efficient passing and timely runs, finishing with 174 passing yards and an additional 57 yards on the ground. The team’s ground game flourished overall, totaling 253 rushing yards.
Running back Scottre Humphrey carried the load for New Mexico, rushing for 98 yards and scoring twice. Backup quarterback James Laubstein also contributed on the ground, adding two rushing touchdowns that helped sustain the Lobos’ momentum late.
- Final score: New Mexico 42, New Mexico State 18
- New Mexico rushing: 253 yards
- Key players: Toa Fa’avae (174 pass yds, 57 rush yds), Scottre Humphrey (98 rush yds, 2 TDs)
Turnovers and defense swing the rivalry
New Mexico’s defense played a decisive role. The Lobos forced multiple turnovers, with interceptions by Austin Brawley and Tavian Combs and a fumble recovery by Elijah Brody. The win improved New Mexico’s turnover margin to +14 on the season, a statistic that underpins their 3-1 record.
New Mexico State struggled to move the ball consistently. Junior quarterback Trey Hedden completed 7 of 19 passes for 106 yards and threw two interceptions. Still, the Aggies had bright spots: James Jones rushed for 112 yards on 14 carries, providing New Mexico State’s most sustained offensive production.
Series context and implications
The Lobos have now won three straight meetings in this historic rivalry, posting their largest margin over the Aggies in Las Cruces since 2013. New Mexico moves to 3-1 on the season, while New Mexico State falls to 1-3. The Aggies, who have claimed 35 all-time victories in the series, last beat the Lobos in Las Cruces in 2022.
With the win, New Mexico will return to Albuquerque and prepare to host UTEP next Saturday. New Mexico State has a quick turnaround and will host Western Kentucky on Thursday.
| Team | Total Rush Yards | Turnovers | Notable Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 253 | +? (forced multiple turnovers) | Toa Fa’avae, Scottre Humphrey, James Laubstein |
| New Mexico State | — (Jones 112) | — (threw 2 INTs) | James Jones, Trey Hedden |
Note: turnover totals and some team-level stats were described in game coverage provided by the Associated Press.
How the game unfolded
After a competitive first half, New Mexico dominated the third quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to turn a manageable margin into a rout. The Lobos executed a balanced offensive attack, mixing Fa’avae’s passing with effective inside runs by Humphrey and quarterback keepers that kept the Aggies off balance.
Defensively, New Mexico’s opportunistic playmaking created short fields and prevented New Mexico State from mounting a sustained comeback. Aggie drives that threatened to shift momentum were halted by key stops and turnovers.
Looking ahead
New Mexico’s positive takeaway is a balanced offense supported by a turnover-hunting defense. The Lobos will aim to carry that combination into their matchup against UTEP. New Mexico State, meanwhile, will need to tighten its passing game and protect the ball as it prepares to host Western Kentucky later this week.
The Chile Roaster trophy now resides with the Lobos, a tangible reminder of an emphatic road win in one of New Mexico’s oldest college rivalries.
— Reporting from Las Cruces by the WE NEWS state desk.
