No. 21 Arizona Wildcats Outlast New Mexico Lobos

© Aryanna Frank-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 21 Arizona Wildcats (1-0) won a battle with the New Mexico Lobos (0-2) by a score of 61-39 on Aug. 31 in Tuscon, Ariz. This game was a back-and-forth clash, with the Lobos hanging around until halftime. Quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan dominated, adding more buzz to the duo's chemistry. Many expected the Wildcats to beat the Lobos handily, but New Mexico was competitive for most of the game.

The Lobos had answers for the Wildcats on almost every drive until the third quarter. Despite Devon Dampier's two interceptions, the QB gave his all to keep the Lobos within reach of the No. 21 team in the country. Mental mistakes and unlucky plays dropped the Lobos to 0-2; they fell to the Montana State Bobcats in Week 0.

Game Summary

This firefight was a treat for fans. Fifita started the scoring with a 69-yard shot to McMillan. The Lobos fought back with a score of their own, as Dampier led New Mexico down the field, throwing a touchdown to Luke Wysong. In the middle of the first quarter, Fifita and McMillan connected again for six points. The Lobos and Wildcats continued trading blows. To end the first quarter, Dampier threw a 6-yard pass to Naquari Rogers to even the score.

In the second quarter, the teams traded field goals. Wildcats kicker Tyler Loop knocked a 54-yarder through the uprights, and Luke Drzewiecki replied with a 20-yarder, tying the game 17-17. Fifita looked to respond by giving a lead to the Wildcats but misread the defense, throwing an interception to safety Christian Ellis. The Lobos took over with great field position, getting into the red zone.

On a second-and-2, Dampier scrambled and scampered 13 yards for an impressive touchdown. This gave the Lobos their first lead of the game, 24-17. Fifita's confidence was not shaken. He threw a 78-yard missile to McMillan for the duo's third touchdown of the game. On the Lobo's next drive, Dampier tried to recreate his earlier magic scrambling act but threw an interception to Genesis Smith. To end the half, Loop kicked a 46-yard field goal, putting the Wildcats up 27-24.

To start the third quarter, running back Quali Conley ripped a 51-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Wildcats lead. The Lobos attempted to fire back, but a Dampier pass bounced off the chest of the targeted receiver and was picked off. Fifita saw his opportunity to create separation, and on the first play of the next drive, he threw a dot to McMillan for their fourth touchdown hookup of the game. The Wildcats were up 41-24 early in the third. Dampier wasn't ready to give up, as he rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to bring the Lobos back within 10 points. However, the Wildcats answered right back, with Conley rushing in another touchdown, pushing the score to 48-31. The Lobos didn't score the rest of the third quarter and the Wildcats had possession of the ball to start the fourth.

Conley achieved his own hat trick, adding his third rushing touchdown with a 23-yard run. The game then started to slow down, but the Lobos scored another touchdown with Dampier passing to Caleb Medford. The Lobos went for a two-point conversion and succeded, making it a two-score game. The Wildcats replied by running the ball down the field, highlighted by Jacory Croskey-Merritt scoring a touchdown against his former team.

The Wildcats beat the Lobos 61-39. Fifita finished the game with 422 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception. His partner in crime, McMillan, tallied 304 yards and 4 touchdowns. The RB duo was also productive, with Conley getting 92 yards and 3 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt added 102 yards and a score. For the Lobos, Dampier had 251 yards, 5 total touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Turning Point for Wildcats

At the end of the second quarter, the tide began to turn in favor of the Wildcats when Dampier threw the interception to Smith. Until that point, the Lobos hung neck-and-neck with the Wildcats. After the interception, however, the Wildcats added three points before the end of the half, putting them up 27-24. After the intermission, the Wildcats kept the momentum rolling scoring twice before the Lobos could answer. By then, it was too late.

What it Means

For the Wildcats, this win is huge. The duo of Fifita and McMillan looks lethal, and the team is more than worthy of being a top-25 team in the country. The Wildcats could be the most underrated team in the Big 12, with the opportunity to shock the world throughout the rest of the season. The Wildcats were expected to win this one, but how they did so is the difference here. They faced adversity after the Lobos would not go away, but their QB and star WR took care of business and blew the game open. In Week 2, the Wildcats will play the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

For the Lobos, starting the season with two losses isn't ideal. Experts picked the Lobos to finish toward the bottom of the Mountain West Conference, but they played impressively during most of this game against a strong opponent. The Lobos face another tough challenge in Week 2, as they travel to face the Auburn Tigers.