Albuquerque football fans had plenty to cheer about this weekend as the University of New Mexico Lobos delivered a commanding 42-18 victory over rival New Mexico State University. The win was a milestone moment for quarterback Toa Fa’ave, who used the rivalry game to firmly take hold of the starting quarterback position, according to KRQE.
The lopsided margin told the story of a Lobos offense that was clicking on all cylinders, giving the home faithful a performance to remember in what is always one of the most anticipated matchups on the New Mexico college football calendar. The rivalry between UNM and NMSU carries deep roots in the state, and a 24-point victory made this edition one to savor for Lobo supporters across Albuquerque and beyond.
Fa’ave’s standout play throughout the contest was the talk of the postgame, with KRQE reporting that his performance was enough to solidify his grip on the starting job going forward. For a program always looking to build momentum, having a clear leader emerge under center is an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, on the cross-country course, Albuquerque’s Johnnie Clark continued what is shaping up to be a remarkable fall season. KRQE reported that Clark posted a third consecutive dominant performance at the Tucker Invitational, keeping his unbeaten streak alive at the meet and drawing attention as one of the area’s top distance runners to watch this year.
Clark’s consistency at the Tucker Invitational underscores the depth of athletic talent coming out of the Albuquerque area, whether on the gridiron or the cross-country trail. With the high school and college sports seasons in full swing, Duke City fans are finding no shortage of local athletes giving them reasons to stand up and cheer.
