Tuesday’s Edge: New Mexico’s defense suffocates Central Michigan; freshmen deliver encouraging performances
Tuesday’s Edge: a weekly takeaway from Edgerrin Garcia
“They went on TV saying they were gonna dominate us up front, and we took it very personally... Coach Spence (Nowinsky) gave us an amazing speech at the hotel. … They were on TV telling everyone they were gonna come in here and dominate us.”
Suffocate — throttle — or even dominate.
Choose any verb to describe overpowering. The University of New Mexico football team’s defensive performance does them all justice.
The cherry red and silver opened their 2026 campaign on their home turf against the Central Michigan Chippewas with an encouraging 38-7 victory on Saturday night in front of their largest home opening crowd (24,126) since 2014.
New Mexico’s 31-point win is the largest season-opening victory against an FBS opponent since 1984 and its first season opening win since 2022.
“Yeah, I think it was a really dominant performance,” head coach Jason Eck said with zero hesitation in his postgame news conference. “I think to start the game with four three-and-outs was excellent.”
UNM’s defense elevates expectations
UNM’s fearsome defense didn’t allow a single first down for the first 29 minutes and 14 seconds of the game. Central Michigan recorded three total yards through its first 12 plays. The Lobos defense somehow managed to raise what was already high expectations coming into the season.
“They went on TV saying they were gonna dominate us up front, and we took it very personally,” safety Austin Brawley said. “Coach Spence (Nowinsky) gave us an amazing speech at the hotel. … They were on TV telling everyone they were gonna come in here and dominate us.”
As Saturday revealed, that was not the case.
The Chippewas finished the third quarter with 79 total yards of offense. Their final 70 total yards in the fourth quarter came against UNM’s defensive reserves. Nowinsky saw more than enough from his starters through the first 45 minutes of the game.
UNM held Central Michigan to an 18% conversion rate on third down (2-for-11) and a 19% offensive success rate on offense (anything under 40% is below average). Nowinsky’s unit has established itself as arguably the conference’s best, though its biggest test looms in Norman, Okla. against nationally ranked Oklahoma on Sept. 19.
The freshmen make an early impact
Speaking of tests, UNM’s freshmen receivers certainly passed the eye one.
“We (have) a talented freshmen class,” Eck said postgame with a smile.
Their opening night performance was worthy of one. Massiah Mingo started the fun by hauling in a 21-yard catch from quarterback Toa Fa’avae on the second drive of the game — the biggest play UNM’s offense produced on the night — moments before a Scottre Humphrey touchdown run.
Bailen George — who led the team with 36 receiving yards on four catches (seven targets) — connected with quarterback Luke Moga for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to put UNM on top by 35-points and hammer the final nail in Central Michigan’s coffin.
DJ Darling and Dorian Patterson won’t flatter anyone on the stat sheet, but both saw significant playing time. It’s clear the freshmen receivers earned their opportunity to showcase their talents week in and week out. They’ve proven they belong on the field, even in a crowded receiving room.
RT Newell shines in first career action
True freshman Danzel Newell experienced his first taste of live college football a little sooner than expected.
The Chicago native stepped in at right tackle just before halftime after right guard Jaymar Tasi went down with an injury. Starting right tackle Tyler Lawrence moved over to right guard to replace Tasi, leaving the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Newell, as the next man up.
“I thought Danzel played very well,” Eck said during Monday’s media news conference. “I was very impressed with how he did in his first game. He’s a very mature guy … he has emotional stability; he doesn’t get too high or too low, which I think is good for certain positions, especially (offensive linemen).”
Both Newell and Lawrence were stellar during UNM’s offensive dominance at the line of scrimmage vs. Central Michigan. Lawrence delivered a key block inside the 5-yard line to help quarterback James Laubstein score his second touchdown in the second quarter.
Newell’s run blocking was impressive. He and tight end Simon Mapa excelled on double teams throughout the game. They repeatedly generated a ton of penetration against CMU’s defensive line.
“Denzel, I thought was a big positive in the game,” Eck said confidently.
New Mexico will face much better opponents as the season progresses. Getting healthy will be key before its daunting matchup in Week 3. UNM hosts the Mercyhurst Lakers (0-2) on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT. Mercyhurst is coming off a 51-14 loss against New Mexico State.
Suffocate, throttle, or dominate—pick your verb, because New Mexico’s defense executed them all on Saturday night.
In front of 24,126 fans, their largest home-opening crowd since 2014, the Lobos dismantled Central Michigan 38-7 to secure their most decisive season-opening victory against an FBS opponent in 42 years. Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky’s unit delivered a masterclass in relentless execution, holding the Chippewas without a single first down for nearly the entire first half and surrendering just three yards across CMU's opening 12 plays.