Scottre Humphrey scores twice as New Mexico beats New Mexico State 42-18

Scottre Humphrey ran for two touchdowns, and New Mexico beat New Mexico State 42-18 on Saturday in Las Cruces. The Lobos led 14-3 at halftime, then scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to turn the Rio Grande Rivalry into a comfortable road win. Their defense forced three turnovers, while their offense rushed for 253 yards.

Humphrey opened the scoring with a three-yard run in the first quarter and added a one-yard touchdown later in the period. New Mexico State managed a 23-yard field goal from Ilya Uvaydov in the second, but did not score a touchdown before halftime. The quarter-by-quarter box score records the Lobos ahead 14-3 at the break before their 21-point third quarter.

That stretch began after New Mexico State quarterback Trey Hedden threw an interception to Tavian Combs early in the third. A three-yard completion to Brett Karhu later extended the lead. On the Aggies' next series, Hedden lost a fumble at his own 17 after a sack. New Mexico recovered, and James Laubstein scored from nine yards out shortly afterward. Kiefer Sibley added a three-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left in the quarter. The three scores pushed New Mexico well clear before the final period.

New Mexico did not rely on one ball carrier. Humphrey finished with 104 yards on 19 rushes and two touchdowns. Sibley added 63 yards and a score, while Fa'avae gained 57 on the ground. Laubstein had only four carries but scored twice, including a one-yard run in the fourth. Fa'avae completed 10 of 17 passes for 174 yards; Bailen George caught three passes for 102 yards. The Lobos gained 427 total yards and did not turn the ball over, according to the game statistics.

The Aggies generated 400 yards, so the final margin was not simply a case of failing to move the ball. James Jones ran for 112 yards, and Josiah Thomas caught five passes for 90. But Hedden threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. New Mexico State's two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter on short completions to Myles Libman, after the Lobos had already created a large lead. The Aggies finished with 15 points in the final period but could not threaten the result.

The New Mexico official schedule lists the 42-18 victory at Aggie Memorial Stadium. For the Lobos, the decisive period combined defensive takeaways with three different rushing scorers across the game. New Mexico State's late passing scores narrowed the line, but the three unanswered touchdowns after halftime had already settled the rivalry contest.