Albuquerque, New Mexico: Lobos End 57-Year Losing Streak at San Jose State With 21-16 Win

New Mexico finally won a football game at San Jose State. The Lobos beat the Spartans 21-16 at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday, October 31, holding off a fourth quarter rally to end a losing streak on that field that had lasted since November 1, 1969.

The win moved New Mexico to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain West. San Jose State fell to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play. The announced crowd was 9,921.

Humphrey gives the Lobos the early edge

San Jose State scored first. Trajan Sinatra kicked a 25 yard field goal late in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.

Running back Scottre Humphrey scored both New Mexico touchdowns in the second quarter and finished with 87 rushing yards. The Spartans stayed close because their defense kept taking the ball away. Quarterback Toa Fa'avae threw two second quarter interceptions, one to Brian Dukes Jr. and one to Dylan Lee on a deflected pass, and the Lobos defense held San Jose State to Sinatra field goals of 24 and 28 yards after those turnovers. New Mexico led 14-9 at halftime.

Fa'avae finished 9 of 14 passing for 101 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He has thrown seven interceptions in his last four games after throwing none in the first four games of the season.

Keith touchdown builds the cushion

New Mexico stopped San Jose State on the first drive of the third quarter, then went 89 yards in nine plays. Fa'avae capped the drive with a 20 yard touchdown pass to tight end Cade Keith, and the Lobos led 21-9 midway through the third quarter.

The drive turned out to be the last scoring drive the Lobos offense produced. It was also the margin the defense needed.

A pick six, then a stand

San Jose State got back into the game on defense. Safety Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa intercepted Fa'avae in the fourth quarter and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 21-16 with 10:47 left. It was the first interception and the first touchdown of Tagovailoa-Amosa's career, and the longest interception return touchdown for San Jose State since Michael Dansby ran one back 98 yards against Fresno State in 2023.

Quarterback Luke Weaver completed 16 of 23 passes for 190 yards for the Spartans. Carson Clark caught eight passes for 91 yards, and Jabari Bates ran for 63 yards on 22 carries.

The Spartans had one last drive in the closing minutes and reached the New Mexico 34 yard line. The Lobos stopped them on fourth down with 1:25 remaining. Weaver threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, and safety Austin Brawley picked off his last pass with 11 seconds left to end the game.

New Mexico played most of the game without its starting center. Kaden Robnett was injured on the first drive and did not return, and Malik Aliane took his place for the rest of the game.

What comes next

New Mexico plays at Nevada on Friday, November 6, at 8 p.m. Mountain time, with the game on CBS Sports Network. San Jose State stays home and faces Northern Illinois on Saturday, November 7, at CEFCU Stadium.