New Mexico 40-35 UNLV: McKinney’s late kickoff return

LAS VEGAS – DJ McKinney’s electrifying 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with just 1 minute and 44 seconds remaining propelled the New Mexico Lobos to a stunning 40-35 victory over UNLV on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium, capping a wild, seesaw contest that saw both teams hold substantial leads.

The dramatic win snapped a four-game losing streak for New Mexico (3-4 overall, 1-2 Mountain West Conference), while delivering a heartbreaking blow to UNLV (4-3 overall, 2-1 Mountain West), who had been riding a three-game winning streak and looked poised to clinch a pivotal conference victory.

New Mexico exploded out of the gate, dominating the first quarter to establish a commanding 21-0 lead. Quarterback Dylan Hopkins connected for an early touchdown pass, and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt found the end zone twice on the ground, showcasing the Lobos’ potent offensive start.

However, the hometown Rebels, energized by the Allegiant Stadium crowd, mounted a furious comeback. Vincent Davis Jr. ignited UNLV with a spectacular 69-yard touchdown run, and Donavyn Blaylock later punched one in, helping the Rebels tie the game at 21-21 before halftime, erasing New Mexico’s initial advantage.

The second half proved to be an equally tight affair, with neither team able to pull away. The tension peaked late in the fourth quarter when UNLV appeared to seize control. Backup quarterback Jacob De Laura snuck in for a touchdown with 3 minutes and 19 seconds left, followed by Jayden Maiava’s successful two-point conversion pass to Ricky White, giving UNLV a 35-34 lead. The home crowd erupted, believing their team had sealed the win.

But McKinney had other plans. Taking the ensuing kickoff, the New Mexico return specialist weaved through the UNLV coverage, breaking tackles and finding open space before sprinting 87 yards untouched into the end zone. The stadium was silenced, as the Lobos snatched a 40-35 lead, leaving just 1:44 on the clock.

“That’s the kind of play that defines a game, defines a season,” New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales said after the game. “Our guys showed incredible resilience. We started strong, lost the lead, but never gave up. DJ’s return was just phenomenal, a moment of pure brilliance when we needed it most.”

UNLV still had a final opportunity to respond. Quarterback Jayden Maiava attempted to rally his offense, but after two incomplete passes and a critical sack on third down, his final heave on fourth down fell incomplete, sealing New Mexico’s improbable victory.

Statistically, Dylan Hopkins finished the night 14 of 21 for 237 yards and two touchdowns for the Lobos. Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a workhorse, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns on just ten carries. McKinney’s single kick return overshadowed his offensive contributions, but he also added 42 receiving yards.

For UNLV, Vincent Davis Jr. was a force on the ground, tallying 139 yards and two touchdowns on ten carries. Jayden Maiava threw for 216 yards and a score, though he did toss an interception in the first half. The Rebels’ offense accumulated 426 total yards, compared to New Mexico’s 389.

“This is a tough one to swallow,” UNLV head coach Barry Odom stated in the post-game press conference. “Our guys fought back tremendously after a rough start. We took the lead late, and you expect to close that out at home. Credit to New Mexico for making that play on the kickoff, it was a fantastic return. We have to learn from this, regroup, and prepare for our next challenge.”

The win provides a significant boost for New Mexico, who will look to build on this momentum when they host Hawaii next Saturday, October 21st, at University Stadium in Albuquerque. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT.

For UNLV, the stinging loss halts their ascent in the Mountain West standings. They will hit the road to face Colorado State next Saturday, October 21st, in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a 5 p.m. PDT kickoff. Both games will have significant implications for the crowded Mountain West Conference race.