New Mexico
Freeze Thought Auburn ‘Was Not Very Good’ Defensively against New Mexico
The Auburn Tigers got the job done against New Mexico, earning a 45-19 win to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Despite allowing just 19 points, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was not pleased with the team’s defensive showing. Auburn allowed 448 yards, 291 through the air and 157 on the ground.
The Tigers forced two interceptions, their first turnovers of the season, but did not manage to record a sack and had just one tackle for loss.
“I thought we were not very good on defense and I think DJ (Durkin) would agree,” Freeze said. “We’re not playing the ball, we had too many penalties, didn’t contain them very well. People got behind us and they converted too many long plays, long distances. But again, we found a way to win the game and we certainly will take that.”
New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier allowed Auburn to gain experience playing against dual-threat quarterbacks like the ones they will see in SEC play. Dampier went 22-of-44 for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Freeze believed that experience will be beneifiicial for the Tigers.
“There’s no question that their quarterback is very, very mobile,” Freeze said of Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green who Auburn will face next week. “I know he still moves the pocket some, he’s a dual-threat guy. We’ll have to have a better plan and play better for sure next week.”
Auburn is banged up in the defensive secondary, playing without Kayin Lee and with a limited Keionte Scott. Freeze thinks the younger players who stepped up have a ways to go as the Tigers allowed four separate receivers to finish the game with more than 40 yards.
“We’ve got to play with composure and poise and play the ball better than what we’re doing,” Freeze said.
Auburn’s defense will have a chance to put together a more solid performance against Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. CT next week. ESPN will carry the broadcast.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.
The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.
Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.
Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.
Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.
Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.
Others set to leave include:
- Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
- Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
- Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver
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