New Mexico
Devon Dampier leads New Mexico past No. 19 Washington State, 38-35
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Devon Dampier scored on a 1-yard run with 21 seconds left and New Mexico beat No. 19 Washington State 38-35 on Saturday night for its first victory over a ranked team since 2003, dashing the Cougars’ slim College Football Playoffs hopes.
Dampier ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries and completed 11 of 25 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. Eli Sanders added 108 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries for the Lobos (5-6).
“We don’t win without him,” Lobos coach Bronco Mendenhall said about Dampier. “And when your quarterback could run the ball like that, that tough and that physical, with the deception also of having Eli Sanders and NaQuari (Rogers) running the ball, as well. Gosh, well, that’s what winning and really good football teams do, right? They run when they need to, and you stop the run when you have to.”
Dampier ran for 142 yards and both touchdowns in the second half. He moved New Mexico 75 yards on the winning drive after Washington State (8-2) took a 35-31 lead with 3:12 left on John Mateer’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams.
Mateer was 25 of 36 for 375 yards and four touchdowns. Williams had nine receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’ll be defined by what we do next,” Cougars coach Jake Dickert said. “Me, as the head coach, our seniors, our leaders, all of our guys, you have two options, and then you can go out there and fight each other, or you can fight what happened to you and come back ready to work.”
New Mexico took a 31-28 lead with 4:40 left in the game on Luke Drzewiecki’s 21-yard field goal.
Trailing 28-14 at the half, the Lobos tied it in the third quarter on Dampier’s 33-yard touchdown run and Sander’s 26-yard scoring dash.
Takeaways
Washington State: After Washington State moved up and down the field in the first half, scoring four touchdowns and accumulating 357 yards in total offense and punting just once, but the Lobos forced the Cougars to punt on the first three possessions of the second half. Mateer was 3 of 9 for 16 yards in the third quarter
“I thought they were more aggressive defensively in the second half,” Dickert said. “You know, I thought they stayed with a couple different personnel deals. They do a good job schematically on offense.”
New Mexico: The Lobos remained in position to become bowl eligibility in Mendenhal’s first season.
Poll implications
The Cougars will drop after the loss.
Up next
Washington State: At Oregon State next Saturday.
New Mexico: At Hawaii on Nov. 30
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1 hour ago
Updated: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDTPublished: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDT
A large landspout tornado was spotted towering over north-central New Mexico on Thursday, April 30, footage shows. Other videos of landspouts were posted from the area that day.
Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Samuel Gurule. Authorities say there are no signs of foul play and no obvious trauma, though the investigation into his death is ongoing.
While details remain limited, officials say the tragedy is serving as an important reminder for hikers to prepare carefully before heading into the mountains.
“Respect the mountains, respect the outdoors,” said Steve LaRese with the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council. “We want to see everybody outside. Everyone deserves to be outside.”
With hiking season in full swing, trails throughout the Sandias are drawing more visitors. While the Sandia Crest remains closed, lower‑elevation routes like La Luz are open — and can appear deceptively manageable.
“It looks very obtainable and very two‑dimensional,” LaRese said. “But when you get in there, it’s a lot of rolling terrain.”
Between steep terrain, heat, elevation, and winding paths, conditions can change quickly — and it’s easy to get turned around.
“Little things turn into big things,” LaRese explained. “It’s very easy to get off the main trail and end up in a steep area or somewhere you don’t want to be.”
Search and Rescue officials say that’s why preparation is critical, even on shorter hikes.
The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council encourages hikers to over‑prepare, even if they don’t expect trouble. Recommended items include:
- A light source, even for daytime hikes
- A whistle, which can help rescuers locate you
- Plenty of water and protection from the sun
If something does go wrong, officials stress that hikers should not hesitate to call for help.
“Search and Rescue in New Mexico is free,” LaRese said. “You won’t be charged for calling 911 or for a rescue team coming out to get you off the mountain.”
As temperatures continue to rise across New Mexico, hikers are urged to listen to their bodies and avoid pushing past their limits.
“Check your heart rate. Be realistic about your physical abilities,” LaRese said. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking two miles up and saying, ‘That’s a good day,’ and heading back. The mountain will always be there.”
One final reminder for hikers planning a summit route: never assume the Sandia Tram will be operating for a ride back down.
Weather conditions or maintenance closures can leave hikers stranded — sometimes facing a long descent after dark.
Officials say preparation, awareness, and knowing when to turn around can make the difference between a great hike and a dangerous situation.
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