New Mexico Outlasts Washington State in High-Scoring Week 12 Thriller
New Mexico defeated Washington State 38-35 in a competitive Week 12 matchup marked by 15 lead changes and significant momentum swings. The Lobos built early momentum, scoring touchdowns in the first two quarters before Washington State matched their pace. A pivotal second-quarter play saw Devon Dampier connect with Caleb Medford on a 42-yard touchdown pass for New Mexico, while John Mateer's 50-yard completion to Cooper Mathers set up scoring opportunities for Washington State.
The game intensified in the second half as New Mexico extended their lead. Dampier added another rushing touchdown in the third quarter on a 33-yard score. Washington State's John Mateer led all passers with 375 yards and found success through the air, with Wayshawn Parker recording 9 receptions. Despite a late-game rally, the Cougars fell short. The contest exceeded the over-under set at 72 points, and New Mexico covered the 10.5-point spread to secure the victory at home.
AI-generated recap · Sep 3, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Washington State | 14 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 35 |
 New Mexico | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Washington State | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 25-36 | 11-25 |
| Pass Yards | 375 | 174 |
| Rush Yards | 172 | 360 |
| Total Yards | 547 | 534 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd Down | 3-9 | 6-14 |
| Penalties | 7-65 | 5-40 |
| Possession | 28:48 | 31:12 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Devon Dampier run for 9 yds to the UNM 34
Eli Sanders run for no gain to the UNM 34
NaQuari Rogers run for no gain to the UNM 34
Washington State Penalty, Offsides (5 Yards) to the UNM 39 for a 1ST down
Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters run for 8 yds to the UNM 47
Devon Dampier run for 4 yds to the WSU 49 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 8 yds to the WSU 41
NaQuari Rogers run for 4 yds to the WSU 37 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass complete to Caleb Medford for 3 yds to the WSU 34
Devon Dampier pass complete to Luke Wysong for 19 yds to the WSU 15 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 8 yds to the WSU 7
Devon Dampier run for 7 yds for a TD (Luke Drzewiecki KICK)
New Mexico Penalty, Delay Of Game (-5 Yards) to the WSU 8
Luke Drzewiecki kickoff for 63 yds , Leyton Smithson return for 18 yds to the WSU 10
Wayshawn Parker run for 3 yds to the WSU 13
John Mateer pass complete to Carlos Hernandez for 15 yds to the WSU 28 for a 1ST down
Wayshawn Parker run for 1 yd to the WSU 29
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 43 yds to the UNM 28 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass complete to Carlos Hernandez for 28 yds for a TD (Dean Janikowski KICK)
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier run for a loss of 1 yard to the UNM 24 Devon Dampier fumbled, recovered by UNM Eli Sanders E. Sanders return for 0 yds
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Aaron Rodriguez punt for 50 yds
Wayshawn Parker run for a loss of 1 yard to the WSU 25
John Mateer pass complete to Kris Hutson for 11 yds to the WSU 36 for a 1ST down
Wayshawn Parker run for 11 yds to the WSU 47 for a 1ST down
Wayshawn Parker run for 7 yds to the UNM 46
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 11 yds to the UNM 35 for a 1ST down
John Mateer run for 20 yds to the UNM 15 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 6 yds to the UNM 9
(03:00) QB Keeper MATEER, John rush up the middle for a gain of 5 yards to the UNM4 (WATTS, Cameron), clock 02:55. PENALTY WSU Holding on POLE, Esa enforced 10 yards from the UNM9 to the UNM19 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
John Mateer pass complete to Wayshawn Parker for 10 yds to the UNM 9
John Mateer pass complete to Kris Hutson for 4 yds to the UNM 5 for a 1ST down
John Mateer run for 5 yds for a TD (Dean Janikowski KICK)
Devon Dampier pass complete to Luke Wysong for 22 yds to the UNM 47 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 9 yds to the WSU 44
Devon Dampier run for no gain to the WSU 44
(14:59) QB Keeper DAMPIER, Devon rush up the middle for a gain of 3 yards to the WSU41 lateral to SANDERS, Eli for -13 yards to the WSU29 (GUSTA, David;GUSHIKEN, Kapena), clock 14:51. PENALTY UNM Holding on AGNELLO, McKenzie enforced 10 yards from the WSU44 to the UNM46 [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Aaron Rodriguez punt for 47 yds
Wayshawn Parker run for 4 yds to the WSU 11
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 13 yds to the WSU 24 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 6 yds to the WSU 30
Leo Pulalasi run for 4 yds to the WSU 34 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for a loss of 3 yards to the WSU 31
John Mateer pass complete to Cooper Mathers for 50 yds to the UNM 19 for a 1ST down
John Mateer run for a loss of 1 yard to the UNM 20
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 20 yds for a TD (Dean Janikowski KICK)
Dean Janikowski kickoff for 65 yds , D'Angelo Mayes return for 26 yds to the UNM 26
Devon Dampier run for 2 yds to the UNM 28
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Aaron Rodriguez punt for 58 yds , Tony Freeman returns for 5 yds to the WSU 19
John Mateer pass complete to Carlos Hernandez for 16 yds to the WSU 35 for a 1ST down New Mexico Penalty, Roughing the Passer on HARRIS JR., Antoineo enforced (15 Yards) to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 5 yds to the UNM 45
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer sacked by Moso'oipala Tuitele for a loss of 8 yards to the WSU 47
Nick Haberer punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Ryan Davis at the UNM 29
Devon Dampier pass complete to Trace Bruckler for 8 yds to the UNM 37
Eli Sanders run for 2 yds to the UNM 39 for a 1ST down
NaQuari Rogers run for 19 yds to the WSU 42 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier pass complete to Caleb Medford for 42 yds for a TD (Luke Drzewiecki KICK)
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 11 yds to the WSU 36 for a 1ST down
Wayshawn Parker run for 8 yds to the WSU 44
John Mateer run for 9 yds to the UNM 47 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass complete to Josh Meredith for no gain to the UNM 47
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer run for 9 yds to the UNM 38
Djouvensky Schlenbaker run for 2 yds to the UNM 36 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass complete to Josh Meredith for 6 yds to the UNM 30
Wayshawn Parker run for 1 yd to the UNM 29
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 29 yds for a TD (Dean Janikowski KICK)
Devon Dampier pass complete to Ryan Davis for 17 yds to the UNM 42 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 13 yds to the WSU 45 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Aaron Rodriguez punt for 44 yds, downed at the WSU 1
John Mateer run for 2 yds to the WSU 3
End of 2nd Quarter
Wayshawn Parker run for 12 yds to the WSU 37 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer pass incomplete
Nick Haberer punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Ryan Davis at the UNM 20
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
NaQuari Rogers run for 4 yds to the UNM 24
Eli Sanders run for 7 yds to the UNM 31 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass complete to Luke Wysong for 1 yd to the UNM 32
Devon Dampier run for 7 yds to the UNM 39
Devon Dampier run for 2 yds to the UNM 41 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass complete to Luke Wysong for 13 yds to the WSU 46 for a 1ST down
NaQuari Rogers run for 13 yds to the WSU 33 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier run for 33 yds for a TD (Luke Drzewiecki KICK)
Luke Drzewiecki kickoff for 61 yds , Leyton Smithson return for 19 yds to the WSU 23
John Mateer pass complete to Kris Hutson for 7 yds to the WSU 30
Leo Pulalasi run for 3 yds to the WSU 33 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer run for 26 yds to the UNM 41 for a 1ST down
Washington State Penalty, False Start (Fa'alili Fa'amoe) to the UNM 46
John Mateer run for 3 yds to the UNM 43
John Mateer pass complete to Wayshawn Parker for a loss of 1 yard to the UNM 44
John Mateer pass incomplete
Nick Haberer punt for 36 yds, fair catch by Ryan Davis at the UNM 8
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier run for 6 yds to the UNM 14
Luke Wysong run for 3 yds to the UNM 17
Aaron Rodriguez punt for 51 yds , Tony Freeman returns for 34 yds to the WSU 49 Washington State Penalty, Offensive Holding (Jamorri Colson) to the WSU 26
Wayshawn Parker run for a loss of 5 yards to the WSU 24 Wayshawn Parker fumbled, recovered by WSU John Mateer J. Mateer return for 3 yds
John Mateer pass complete to Leo Pulalasi for 10 yds to the WSU 34
John Mateer pass incomplete
Nick Haberer punt for 37 yds, fair catch by Ryan Davis at the UNM 29
Eli Sanders run for 4 yds to the UNM 33
Devon Dampier pass complete to Ryan Davis for 16 yds to the UNM 49 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 3 yds to the WSU 48
(02:18) DAMPIER, Devon pass deep to the left complete for 26 yards to DAVIS, Ryan caught at the WSU32 and advanced to the WSU22 (GUSHIKEN, Kapena), out of bounds, clock 02:07. PENALTY UNM Ineligible Receiver Downfield on Pass on OWENS, Lajuan enforced 5 yards from the WSU48 to the UNM47 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Devon Dampier pass complete to Luke Wysong for 16 yds to the WSU 37 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 7 yds to the WSU 30
Eli Sanders run for 4 yds to the WSU 26 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 26 yds for a TD (Luke Drzewiecki KICK)
Wayshawn Parker run for 3 yds to the WSU 28
John Mateer pass complete to Carlos Hernandez for 8 yds to the WSU 36 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 4 yds to the WSU 40
John Mateer pass complete to Cooper Mathers for 21 yds to the UNM 39 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 3 yds to the UNM 36
John Mateer pass complete to Leo Pulalasi for 2 yds to the UNM 34
(12:48) MATEER, John pass to the left complete for 8 yards to HUTSON, Kris caught at the UNM28 and advanced to the UNM26 (WILLIAMS, Nigel), out of bounds, clock 12:44. PENALTY WSU Holding on FA'AMOE, Fa'alili enforced 10 yards from the UNM34 to the UNM44 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
John Mateer pass incomplete
Nick Haberer punt for 32 yds, fair catch by Ryan Davis at the UNM 12
Devon Dampier pass complete to Ryan Davis for 17 yds to the UNM 29 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 8 yds to the UNM 37
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
Devon Dampier run for 23 yds to the WSU 40 for a 1ST down
Eli Sanders run for 1 yd to the WSU 39
Eli Sanders run for 4 yds to the WSU 35
Devon Dampier run for 3 yds to the WSU 32
Devon Dampier run for 5 yds to the WSU 27 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 19 yds to the WSU 8 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 5 yds to the WSU 3
New Mexico Penalty, False Start (McKenzie Agnello) to the WSU 8
Devon Dampier run for 2 yds to the WSU 6
Devon Dampier run for 4 yds to the WSU 2
Luke Drzewiecki 19 yd FG GOOD
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 8 yds to the WSU 33
Leo Pulalasi run for 18 yds to the UNM 49 for a 1ST down
Leo Pulalasi run for 12 yds to the UNM 37 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 37 yds for a TD (Dean Janikowski KICK)
Devon Dampier run for 1 yd to the UNM 26
Devon Dampier run for 7 yds to the UNM 33
Eli Sanders run for 33 yds to the WSU 34 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 9 yds to the WSU 25
Devon Dampier run for 5 yds to the WSU 20 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier pass incomplete
NaQuari Rogers run for 8 yds to the WSU 12
Devon Dampier run for 4 yds to the WSU 8 for a 1ST down
Devon Dampier run for 1 yd to the WSU 7
Devon Dampier run for 6 yds to the WSU 1
Devon Dampier run for 1 yd for a TD (Luke Drzewiecki KICK)
John Mateer pass complete to Leo Pulalasi for 7 yds to the WSU 34
John Mateer pass incomplete
John Mateer pass complete to Kyle Williams for 9 yds to the WSU 43 for a 1ST down
John Mateer pass incomplete