New Mexico vs. Arizona: New Mexico Bowl Recap, Score, What’s Next

Arizona vs. New Mexico, New Mexico Bowl recap, score and what’s next for the Wildcats and Lobos.

Gilden New Mexico Bowl Recap

Prediction: Arizona 40, New Mexico 28, Line: Arizona -10, o/u: 63

Score: Arizona 45, New Mexico 37

And You Care Because … In an entertaining back-and-forth battle, Arizona got three touchdown runs from Jared Baker and two touchdown throws and a scoring run from Anu Solomon to hold off the pecky Lobos. New Mexico pulled out all the stops with QB Lamar Jordan running for three touchdowns and throwing for a score with two of his rushing touchdowns coming in the third quarter to hang around. The Lobos pulled within five in the fourth on a four-yard Austin Apodaca touchdown run, but the Wildcats were able to get ahead by eight with a 37-yard Casey Skowron field goal, and sealing it with the team’s third pick of the day.

What Else?

– Arizona LB Scooby Wright came up with a game-high 15 tackles with two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a key pressure to force the final interception.

– New Mexico QB Lamar Jordan completed 3-of-9 passes for 110 yards and two picks, despite fighting through a leg injury. He led the game with 135 rushing yards and three scores on 21 carries.

– Arizona QB Anu Solomon completed 13-of-24 passes for 329 yards and two scores with a pick, and ran six times for 12 yards and a score.

– Arizona WR Cayleb Jones caught four passes for 182 yards and a score.

– Arizona RB Jared Baker ran 12 times for 107 yards and three scores.

– Time of Possession: New Mexico 40:52 – Arizona 19:08

– Rushing Yards: New Mexico 319 – Arizona 174

Game Rating: A- … It was entertaining from start to finish. Both teams were into it with New Mexico providing a great push.

What’s next for Arizona?

The backfield duo of QB Anu Solomon and RB Nick Wilson were just sophomores, so RichRod’s attack should really be rocking and rolling in 2016. Plus, top receivers Cayleb Jones and Nate Phillips still have another year of eligibility left. The line must replace two key starters, C Cayman Bundage and last season’s best run blocker, OG Lene Maiava.

With LB Scooby Wright taking off for the NFL, Arizona might find it impossible to fill the void. However, six starters return including most of the front seven – the production has to be there, though, especially without its superstar linebacker who made such a difference vs. New Mexico. The team’s all-league punter, Drew Riggleman, and kicker, Casey Skowron, are both graduating.

What’s next for New Mexico?

After finally coming up with a breakthrough season under head coach Bob Davie, the offense that dominated on the ground has to replace three key parts on the line including both tackles. The passing game might not have done much, but it gets back the two top wide receivers starting with leading target Dameon Gamblin along with field-stretching junior-to-be Delane Hart-Johnson. The backfield loses top back Jhurrell Pressley, but Teriyon Gipson and QB Lamar Jordan can make the ground attack roll.

Ten of the top 11 tacklers are back starting with big-hitters Dakota Cox and Kimmie Carson at linebacker. CB Cranston Jones is the only starter gone from a defense that had its problems, but was a wee bit better than past Davie teams. The linebackers are going to be the stars, but the key will be the improvement of the front three needing to be more of a rock against the run – ends Cody Baker and Nik D’Avanzo have to hold up a bit better. The special teams take a hit losing combination punter and kicker Zack Rogers, but Jason Sanders has a little experience on field goals – Rogers will be missed more as a punter.