Devon Dampier ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining to lead New Mexico to a 38-35 win over No. 19 Washington State on Saturday night. This victory gave the Lobos their first win over a ranked team since 2003 and ended the Cougars’ hopes of making the College Football Playoffs.
Dampier had an outstanding performance, rushing for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. He also completed 11 of 25 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown. Eli Sanders added 108 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries for New Mexico (5-6).
“We don’t win without him,” said New Mexico coach Bronco Mendenhall, praising Dampier’s all-around play. “When your quarterback can run the ball like that, and be that tough and physical, along with the threat of having Eli Sanders and NaQuari (Rogers) running the ball too, that’s what good teams do.
They run when they need to and stop the run when they have to.”
Dampier had a huge second half, running for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He led New Mexico on a 75-yard drive to set up the game-winning touchdown after Washington State (8-2) had taken a 35-31 lead with 3:12 left. John Mateer threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams for the Cougars’ final score.
Mateer finished 25 of 36 for 375 yards and four touchdowns, while Williams had a big game with nine catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’ll be defined by what we do next,” said Washington State coach Jake Dickert. “As the head coach, our seniors, our leaders, everyone on the team, you have two choices: you can either fight each other, or you can fight back and be ready to work harder next time.”
New Mexico had been trailing 28-14 at halftime but tied the game in the third quarter with Dampier’s 33-yard touchdown run and Sanders’ 26-yard scoring run. The Lobos took a 31-28 lead with 4:40 left after Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 21-yard field goal.
