Central Michigan stumbles out the gates in lopsided 38-7 loss to New Mexico

The start of the 2025 campaign saw Central Michigan, much like this Saturday night, open up the season on the road against a Mountain West foe in the San Jose State Spartans. The Chippewas would go on to upset those Spartans– then considered a Mountain West dark horse– with a spirited performance under the national spotlight.

Lightning did not strike twice for the Central Michigan Chippewas (0-1) on Saturday night, however, as they struggled for air in an utterly suffocating 38-7 loss to Mountain West favorites New Mexico State (1-0).

The Chippewas offense struggled mightily, mustering a total of nine first downs in 60 minutes, and accumulating 149 offensive yards in total– including a paltry 30 yards passing on 43 percent passing between both Angel Flores and Jadyn Glasser.

The defense similarly could not stop the Lobos after the first exchange of drives; New Mexico opened up the scoring with a seven-yard rush from Scottre Humphrey midway through the first quarter, and then doubled the lead on a James Laubenstein QB sneak touchdown to cap off a 15-play, 64-yard drive lasting over seven minutes.

In all, New Mexico scored on four of the team's first five offensive drives– and very nearly made it five of the first six after Xavier Slayton's interception of an ill-advised Angel Flores pass with just over a minute remaining in the first half.

The Lobos would miss the field goal to end the half, but would post 18 more unanswered points before Nasir Williams broke the shut-out with a 23-yard jet sweep touchdown to put the game at its final 38-7 tally with 4:23 remaining.

New Mexico was efficient on both sides of the ball, but especially so in the passing game, averaging 9.5 yards per completion, and on leverage downs, going 7-of-13 on third-down plays and 1-of-1 on fourth-down. The Lobos held the Chippewas, who were one of the MAC's more effective running teams in 2025, to a mere 1.9 yards per rush.

UNM rotated between three quarterbacks throughout the night due to a season-ending injury to their projected starter; Oregon transfer Luke Moga wound up taking passing responsibilities and finished 13-of-17 for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Toa Fa'avae (4-of-8, 43 yards; eight carries, 45 yards) and James Laubstein (18 yards, TD) relieved in subpackages.

Scottre Humphrey had 64 yards and a touchdown to lead the UNM rushing effort, while Bailen George had four catches for 36 yards. Kicker Grant Glasgow made three of his four field goals, missing his only attempt from 50+ yards.

Mercury Swaim led the Lobos in tackles (7); Drew Speech and Darren Agu each led the team in TFLs and sacks (one apiece), while Agu had a forced fumble and Slayton notched an interception.

For CMU, Angel Flores started the night, but Jadyn Glasser also saw the field. Neither quarterback was effective, with Flores 3-of-6 for 14 yards and a pick through the air and Glasser at 4-of-10 for 16 yards. Flores led the team in rushing with 10 carries for 27 yards; Justin Ruffin led the team in receptions (three) but only had nine yards. Nasir Williams led the team in receiving yards on a single 11-yard reception and scored the team's lone touchdown on a 23-yard rush to put him third in rushing.

Defensively, newcomer defensive back Darrell Bryant Jr. led the team with nine tackles and a forced fumble. Former tight end Nathan Van Timmeren nabbed a tackle-for-loss as an edge rusher to hold the team lead with Korver Demma (six tackles, sack).

Central now returns to Mt. Pleasant for a home opener against FCS Colgate, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

New Mexico stays home for a second week in a row to take on FCS Mercyhurst, in a game scheduled for a 2 p.m. Mountain time kickoff.