The winds are howling at the New Mexico Bowl, and New Mexico head coach Bob Davie seems content not to take to the air as a result. Well, that and having an effective triple option running game to work with. New Mexico leads UTSA at halftime in the New Mexico Bowl, 10-6, and the Lobos have gotten this far with just one attempted (and completed) pass.
Richard Quarley picked up the only touchdown of the half on a one-yard run at the end of a nine-play, 66-yard drive to give New Mexico the lead. UTSA took the game’s opening possession down the field and scored a 27-yard field goal at the end of a 13-play drive. A 38-yard run by Jarveon Williams gave the Roadrunners a quick jolt on the second play of the game, and a fourth down conversion from the New Mexico 20-yard line showed UTSA was not here to mess around. UTSA was held to a late field goal with about 100 seconds to play in the half after a targeting call on New Mexico was overturned. New Mexico kicker Jason Sanders successfully kicked a 52-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half in the heavy wind to extend New MExico’s lead to four points.
UTSA quarterback Dalton Strum has attempted 12 passes, but just three have been completed for a total of 30 yards. Don’t expect any wild shootouts in this year’s New Mexico Bowl. If the second half plays out in similar fashion, this one will be won on the ground.