New Mexico Edge Rusher Recalls Shootout with Anderson, Pokes

LAS VEGAS -- New Mexico's defensive front was licking its collective chops.

The opposing quarterback was a rookie, starting his first collegiate game. Wyoming entered Albuquerque wounded, losers of three straight. The visitors also featured the least-efficient passing attack in the nation.

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Hence the change under center.

"We were expecting to get after him," Lobo edge rusher Gabriel Lopez recalled Wednesday at Mountain West Media Days, referring to then redshirt freshman signal caller Kaden Anderson. "The D-line was really excited."

"Was" is the keyword.

Anderson lit up the New Mexico secondary on that sun-spanked afternoon inside University Stadium, gashing Bronco Mendenhall's defense to the tune of 342 yards passing in a 49-45 come-from-behind victory.

That was the most passing yards from a Wyoming quarterback since Cam Coffman lit up the Lobos for 366 yards back in 2015.

The Southlake, Texas product connected on 20-of-29 throws in place of embattled starter Evan Svoboda. He tossed three touchdowns, including a 68-yard strike to Jaylen Sargent down the sideline. He also found the end zone with his legs, leading the Cowboys on four consecutive touchdown drives out of the gate.

"He came out and he really showed us," Lopez said. "We were surprised."

Wyoming's offense rolled up 604 yards of total offense, including 262 yards on the ground. It was the best output since Levi Williams and Co. eclipsed the 600-yard mark in a 44-17 stunner over eventual conference champion Utah State back in 2021.

Anderson's outing did include one hiccup.

Late in the third quarter, Wyoming trailing by three, Anderson heaved up deep shot in the direction of wide receiver Justin Stevenson. Safety Noah Avinger jumped the route and got one foot down in bounds, giving New Mexico possession at the 8-yard line.

Behind the play, Anderson and defensive end Moso'oipala Tuitele were toe-to-toe, jawing at one another after what appeared to be a late hit.

Yellow hankies flew.

Both were hit with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

"I've got to calm down a little bit for sure," Anderson said with a grin moments after the win. "After that interception I told myself I'm not going to talk any more. That's when I started playing better. I've got to keep my head in the game and stop talking as much.

"I've got a little fire in me, for sure."

Lopez agrees.

"I remember we were jawing back and forth," he said. "I love that part of the game, though. So, I love a good, competitive edge, especially some talking. I like that old school type of football."

Anderson, who redshirted during his first season on campus in 2023, recovering from his second of two ACL tears suffered at powerhouse high school Southlake Carroll, appeared in nine games last fall, throwing for 955 yards and six touchdowns. He completed nearly 60% of his passes and added two scores on the ground.

He ultimately gained respect in the Land of Enchantment.

"He was running his mouth and he took a couple of hits," Lopez joked. "He was like, 'all right, there you guys go.' But, I love that confidence. It'll be good for him moving forward."

Unless the Lobos and Cowboys meet in December's conference championship game, the two longtime rivals won't play during the regular season for the first time since 1998.

Anderson and Tuitele, though, is another story.

The latter, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior, now plays for Border War rival Colorado State. The Cowboys and Rams will meet Oct. 25 inside War Memorial Stadium.

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players