ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Devon Dampier was instrumental in leading New Mexico to a 52-37 triumph over Air Force during a thrilling game on Saturday night.

Dampier showcased his versatility, completing 15 of 20 passes for 179 yards and contributing one passing touchdown. In addition, he made significant contributions on the ground, scoring twice and accumulating 50 rushing yards on 11 attempts.

Eli Sanders also stood out offensively for New Mexico (2-4, 1-1 Mountain West Conference), gaining 80 rushing yards and finding the end zone twice.

Dampier initiated the scoring spree by connecting on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Nic Trujillo, extending the Aggies’ lead to 21-10 with just over five minutes left in the second quarter. Air Force responded with a 4-yard touchdown run by Tylor Latham. However, Dampier quickly answered back with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 28-17 right before halftime. Notably, he had also scored on a 7-yard run earlier in the first quarter.

In an explosive third quarter, the Aggies added 17 points to their tally, highlighted by Sanders’ impressive 31-yard touchdown run, pushing their lead to 45-17. He further solidified the victory with a 35-yard touchdown run that resulted in a 52-24 advantage with 10:54 remaining.

For Air Force (1-5, 0-3), Quentin Hayes completed 4 out of 7 passes for 79 yards and also made an impact with his legs, rushing for 103 yards on 18 carries while scoring one touchdown.

This exciting matchup solidified New Mexico’s position in the Mountain West Conference and showcased notable performances from both sides, setting the stage for continued competition throughout the season.