1. Screen
Situation: New Mexico 0, UH 0, 13:00 remaining, first quarter, New Mexico ball third and 10 at own 28
The Play: QB B.R. Holbrook throws a screen pass to SaQwan Edwards while Hawaii is blitzing. It goes for a 36-yard gain to the Hawaii 36.
Impact: Two plays later, New Mexico scores the game’s first touchdown on Kasey Carrier’s 23-yard run, after New Mexico passed the first five plays — nearly twice as many as it passed in its entire previous game.
Hawaii defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer: "The first series just wasn’t a good call."
2. Fumble, again
Situation: New Mexico 7, UH 0, 11:58 remaining, first quarter, New Mexico kicking off from own 35
The Play: KR Mike Edwards fumbles the kickoff and New Mexico’s Marquis Bundy recovers at the Hawaii 38.
Impact: New Mexico uses 11 plays in 6 minutes and 5 seconds of game time to grind its way to the Hawaii end zone and a 14-0 lead. Hawaii ends up running six offensive plays for 5 yards in 1:36 of possession time of the first 17:24. New Mexico uses the rest of that time to gain 187 yards and build a 21-0 lead.
Edwards: "It was a big return, but that was a big fumble, too. The momentum changed and they scored on that drive."
3. Stoned
Situation: New Mexico 21, UH 10, 6:15 remaining, third quarter, Hawaii ball fourth and 1 at New Mexico 5
The Play: RB Will Gregory takes the ball into the right side of the line and is stopped by LB Joseph Harris for no gain.
Impact: Hawaii had driven 69 yards in 11 plays but failed to get the 18 inches needed for first and goal after opting against a 23-yard field-goal attempt. Three plays later, New Mexico QB Cole Gautsche runs 76 yards for a touchdown and a 28-10 lead.
Hawaii quarterback Sean Schroeder: "We didn’t finish drives. Tonight I thought we moved the ball well, but we have to finish those drives and punch the ball in the end zone when we get those opportunities."
4. Fumble
Situation: New Mexico 28, UH 17, 14:22 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii ball first and 10 at New Mexico 31
The Play: Schroeder fumbles and Harris picks up the ball and runs to the Hawaii end zone. But it is ruled Harris was down and New Mexico gets the ball at its own 29.
Impact: Hawaii had regained the momentum with Edwards’ kickoff-return touchdown and the defense forcing New Mexico to punt. But Hawaii’s second of three turnovers in the game to none for New Mexico halted a promising drive.
Hawaii coach Norm Chow: "The whole thing was frustrating. I’m not sure I have the answers right now. I’ll look at the tape and hopefully I’ll have the answers."
5. Decisive
Situation: New Mexico 28, UH 23, 3:49 remaining, fourth quarter, New Mexico third and goal at Hawaii 5
The Play: Holbrook keeps and runs into the Hawaii end zone untouched for the game’s final score.
Impact: The Hawaii defense had held New Mexico for no gain on first and second down, as Carrier was given the ball for the sixth and seventh times in a row. New Mexico finishes with 452 yards of offense, with Carrier rushing for 161 yards and Gautsche for 104.
New Mexico coach Bob Davie: "Our offense has responded all year and it’s kind of impressive when you think about coming in and putting in that offense from scratch and what these kids have been able to do."
