New Mexico
Washington State Football: Keys to Victory at New Mexico
Off to their best start since 2018, the Cougars check in at #19 in the AP poll and have the chance to pick up their ninth win this weekend. In order to do that, Washington State will need to get by a New Mexico team that started its season slowly but has gotten hot, winning four of their last six contests. Here’s what the Cougs will need to do this weekend in Albuquerque to avoid the upset and extend their win streak.
Contain Dampier
New Mexico’s offense will go as it’s dynamic quarterback does. Sophomore Devon Dampier is a threat in the both the running and passing game and is a huge reason why the Lobos have won the four games they have. Dampier currently leads the team with 902 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground all while also throwing for 2,418 yards and another 11 scores. The fact that he’s responsible for well over 3,000 yards of offense and 24 touchdowns means that he, obviously, should be Washington State’s main focal point on defense here.
Linebackers Kyle Thornton and Buddah Al-Uqdah will have their hands full and then some trying to corral Dampier. Both of WSU’s stud linebackers will need to have eyes and position on the speedy signal caller and be able to move in on him in a hurry. The defensive line, likewise, will have to get to him in the backfield to slow him down, if nothing else. Andrew Edson will lead the charge here. And, of course, the secondary will serve as the last line of defense if Dampier is able to get through. It will take a team effort on all three levels to bottle up #4.
Red Zone Effeciency
In order to give themselves the best possible chance in this one, Washington State needs to capitalize on what New Mexico struggles with and one thing the Lobos have had a particularly rough time with is their red zone defense. Opponents have scored 38 of the 39 times they’ve been inside the 20 on UNM and 31 of those have been touchdowns. It has been an almost total inability to make defensive stands for the New Mexico defense on that end of the field.
The Cougars, meanwhile, have scored on 34 of their 39 red zone trips this year with 29 TDs. There isn’t any reason they shouldn’t be able to keep those percentages high this Saturday and, if John Mateer and company are able to close out drives the way they have all year, Washington State’s chances go way up.
Avoid Post-Halftime Lull
The Lobos have been at their best coming right out of halftime this year. In the third quarter, New Mexico outscores its opponents 67 to 62 and has done a lot of its damage over the last few weeks in this frame. They are also pretty solid right off bat in the first quarter as well. This means that the Cougars can’t get caught napping when they come out of the locker room.
Washington State could do itself a big favor in this department by simply deferring their initial offensive possession until the second half, if possible. Keeping the ball out of Dampier’s hands in the third quarter might go a long way in bucking the trend that UNM’s opponents have established this fall. Coming out of the break with urgency is important here and it’s something the Cougs have struggled with. Since the start of October WSU has managed a total of just 24 third quarter points. That will need to improve this weekend.
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SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.
According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.
According to the release, an autopsy is planned.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Southeastern New Mexico will see some snow while other places will generally see cooler, more winter-like temperatures. See the latest conditions at KOB.com/Weather.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Some notable cities in New Mexico could see multiple inches of snow, along with possible wind and cooler temperatures Sunday into Monday.
There is going to be snow across the southeast. A winter storm advisory is in effect all throughout areas like Ruidoso and out toward the Texas state line. A winter storm warning for Carlsbad and even a blizzard warning for the Guadalupe Mountains. These advisories and warnings indicate it’s going to continue until Monday at 6 p.m.
How much snow might there be? Ruidoso could see a few inches, along with other higher-elevation areas. Carlsbad might even see as much as two inches and Roswell has a very good chance of snow.
Wind gusts ranged from 23 mph for Hobbs and Clovis, 25 in Santa Rosa and similar readings in other places. Temperatures could hit sub-freezing temperatures in places like Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad and Hobbs. Meanwhile, Gallup and Grants could get into the single-digits. Plus, places like Albuquerque and Santa Fe will be in the 20s but the big “winner” is Alamosa, Colorado, with 2 degrees.
Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.
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