EA Sports CF25 Week 1 New Mexico Lobos vs #16 Arizona Wildcats!

e e hi everybody and welcome we are surrounded today by pageantry and tradition check out this seene we got high hopes for another exciting college football game and a game like this is what makes college football great yeah there's history and tradition but right here right now there is tremendous intensity and bitterness on this field you can feel it as we'll see a squad from the Mountain West the New Mexico Lobos taking on the 16th rank team the Arizona Wildcats threea sports college football I'm Chris fer joined here in the booth by Kirk her street Kirk let's get to the action on the [Applause] field kickoff team is on the field see if they give the returner a chance to bring this one back he'll bring it out from his end zone solid job by the coverage seam they bring him down at the 16 so the the Mexico Lobo offense making their way on the field today well Kirk you can just feel the emotion the intensity of this rivalry game right now well one thing we know is you work year round for a rivalry game and now it's right before your eyes let's see how these guys play today short pass finds the tight end and the defense swarms not much of a gain on that completion second down play coming up for this offense dropping back it's danamp Pier delivers from the pocket complet over the middle he get him down at the 41 but that's good enough for a first down well you could tell the quarterback knew exactly what he wanted to do with the football he was going to that in route no matter what he hits it for a nice game here's a first and 10 play we'll give it to the running back breaking tackles getting close to Midfield now they bring him down to the 47 man you know the back gets a lot of the attention here and he's a good back I'd love to see that offensive line win the battle with a line of strage the game makes it second and medium takes the hand off again fighting him off good enough for first down yardage Chris just by watching this guy all year the defense better be very careful to let this guy find that Rhythm I've seen him where he goes five yards five yards eight yards 10 yards and then pops a big one right now he looks like he's starting to gain some confidence here early in this game the Lobos are moving quickly down the field first down looking to throw the football working for the tight end and it's caught tackled quickly after the catch he'll be short of the marker pass complete it's second down [Applause] now and they'll use the ground game here they stop him but it's a first down was a nice job up front by the offensive line but give the running back an assist for setting those blocks up before he's able to get downfield for the first [Applause] down and the Lobos will line up on First and [Applause] 10 they'll try the right here tackled behind the line it's a loss of two but the play is just BL up but a big Bella in the middle showing some quickness for his sides yeah we know about his power but how about his ability to penetrate there and that's the quickest way to blow up a run game is that interior penetration if you're able to break through the middle of that offensive line and you can create a lot of havoc in the middle they'll keep it on the ground with the draw play and that's a solid game before the defense able to bring him down [Music] comes the eighth play of the opening drive but now it's third down dropping back looking to throw for the first down incomplete but yeah here comes a penalty marker now that should be a drive extending first down [Applause] plan defensive back is got to be the toughest job out there right now in college football you get isolated on Islands against these freaky talented receivers it's hard enough to be able to stay up with them and try to make a play on the ball and often you end up bumping them down field and you get a call like [Applause] this second down after that previous play dropping back it's Danier scrambling around now looking downfield he makes the grab he's brought down at the six the offense will have first and goal right there that was pretty the receiver broke down his defender on that curl against man-to-man coverage that's how you win one-on ones and the lowow come to the line with first and goal from the shotgun drops back and it's caught into the end zone touchdown New Mexico and Kirk how important is that to get off to a positive start to draw first blood in a rivalry game like this well Chris as you know in a rivalry game there's so much emotion to be able to put a touchdown on the board first just sets the tone for a big day [Music] [Applause] so they'll try to add to the lead now with the p and the P makes it 7 nothing to open scoring that makes the score New Mexico getting set to kick the ball now [Applause] number and here's the return from inside the five tackled at the 22 good job by the coverage [Applause] [Music] team the wild cats offense takes the field our first chance to see them today all right Kirk let's take a quick look at the impact players for today's game and how they're going to affect the outcome these are your leaders on the field and in the lock room these are your go-to guys not only when you need a play to be made but also when you need somebody to Rally your team and he's brought down but he does have enough for the first down how about that offensive line that's just getting a hat on a hat opening just enough room for the back to be able to get through there for a big game first and 10 play coming [Applause] up keeping it on the ground here he's brought down but there is a penalty marker out there let's check out this call pretty easy call for the head coach he will accept that penalty of course fresh set of downs for the offense first down they'll run it here running back has the ball and he's tackled right at the 40 yd line and remember the last time these teams met it came right down to the wire well Chris there's so many great rival games that we all look forward to every single year but with these two teams it just always seems to be a tight matchup now it's second down here shotgun formation here's an inside GI looks like Arizona will have the first down well good push up front here in this back I tell you he's got some outstanding Vision to be able to find those creases to be able to get positive yards and here he gets the first down Arizona getting set with a first and 10 coming [Applause] up motion now from the tight end from the shotgun an inside handoff breaks one tackle gets brought down but picks up some decent yardage I tell you to be able to pick up a nice gain like that those offensive linemen have to sustain their blocks gave them a chance at a really nice gain here's the second down [Applause] play and the white out goes in motion they'll run it out of the shotgun breaks loose at the 40 they bring him down but that game moves the ball all the way to the 31 well the scouting report on this running back was that he is an elite ball carrier and he is proving to be that here early in this game these first few carries not only the strength but with the quickness and acceleration to get up field and get positive yards on [Applause] display and it's New Mexico with the lead right now and at the end of the first quarter let's check out the stats so [Applause] far back at at the start of the quarter offense getting set to run a first down play he hands it off from the gun it's good for a three- yd game so second and seven well you played in plenty of rivalry games how do they feel different from the others well Chris rivalry games and and depending on who the coach is this is a game you think about all year you know you're working out in the weight room you're doing drills in summer two days everything is focused on getting to this game and playing your very best and now the handoff the Senor able to make the stop after a short game third coming [Applause] so here we go now third and short in the opponent's 24 yd line what would the offense choose to do at this point to the air it's be it's a screen pass complete to the running back defense flies in they make the tackle behind the line of scrimmage Chris the timing of this screen pass just seemed to be off the defense almost waiting for the ball to be thrown he had nowhere to go by the time he caught it so now on fourth down out comes the field goal unit and he knocks that one right through oh Chris it's a nice kick here to polish off that drive with at least three points up on the board [Music] [Music] following the field goal the kickoff team is out there now kick and it's fielded returner trying to create a big play here he'll be tackled at the 18 that's good coverage there and the lowo offense is back out there they punch it into the end zone the last time let's see if this defense has made some adjustments to stop him this time a Jet Sweep here can the receiver get the edge hey they gave up some yards here but man that's a pretty good job by this defense against the Jet Sweep you see who was carrying the ball there he can fly I would argue he's the fastest guy on the field so you don't give up the big play you give up a few yards I think that's a win for the defense second down after that run on the previous play from the shotgun now here's an inside give and just a short gain this time able to get him [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] down one of those critical third down plays coming up looking downfield it's dampier beautiful catch right near the sideline gets the football in a big game before he goes out of bounds the offense keeps churning gets a fresh set of downs most defensive coordinators focus a lot of their energy on how their unit performs on third down and in the Red Zone they give up a couple more third down conversions like that and they're in for a very unpleasant film session on Monday they give it to the receiver on a Jet Sweep boy the offense goes with a Jet Sweep and the defense is there that is a tough play to defend but give them credit for playing with discipline especially with their eyes not getting caught up squeezing inside they got to the outside and prevented that from being a big play getting set here's second Down The Backs got it and they'll bring him down after just a short pick up [Music] challenging play for the offense they face third and long here from their own 43 dropping back we going to throw for the first down looking for his big tight end and it's complete what a grab by the receiver right near the sideline that's a great feeling when your quarterback can make a throw that keeps the drive alive not as good as a touchdown but it's a lot better than having to trot over to the sideline waiting for your turn to get another chance the Lobos pick up enough to get a first down there they'll try and run it here's the running back brought down but broke a tackle to produce a solid [Applause] game second down after that run on the previous play from the shotgun it's a handoff you make the stop but not before a solid gain that time every now and then we see a really good run we tend to focus on what other people did in order for that run to happen what the offensive line did maybe the receivers are blocking good on the edge sometimes the running back is pretty good too and on that play he picked up a lot of yards and made that happen with good effort the offense with some pre- snap eye candy they'll try to run it in on first and goal that's a nice tackle there by the senior Chris down here inside the 10 yd line these are tough yards to come by positive yards good push inside there by that offensive line Second down here time for perhaps just one more play before the two-minute warning we've reached the two-minute warning we have to see if the offense can build on this lead before the [Applause] break second down and goal change of pace now looking to throw the football trying to create outside the pocket now couldn't quite get there brought down at the two i' love to see this by this quarterback instead of giving up on the play and just throwing it away or trying to put one into coverage he just takes off reminds his defense what he can do with his legs and almost took it to the house they come up two yds at the goal line can they punch it in here on third down somebody up there got a little too antsy at the line of scrimmage false start and the head coach will decide to accept the penalty and take the yardage the 10th play of this drive is a third down and goal catch Made In The End Zone touchdown Lobos touch boy the quarterback put that ball right where he could give his receiver a chance and what an effort by that receiver to lay out come up with that touchdown [Applause] and they'll set up for the phc extra point extra point makes the lead 11 New Mexico 14 Arizona kickoff team on the field getting set now number set to kick this one away return begins inside the 10 he's got an opening watch out he's got great speed they get him down but he found a good Lane in that return so the drive starts with pretty decent field position looking downfield it's PA oh the pass is picked off tackle made on the return but the takeway sets up the offense at the 37 now boy Chris he hesitated just enough to give the defense a chance to get in position and come up with a big [Applause] turnover your Mexico's offense retakes the field now they scored a touchdown of their last possession let's see if this defense can make a adjustments and prevent that this time quarterback finds an open Target on the left side tackle made at the 26 yd Line This offense getting closer to the Red Zone well you wonder if the receiver adjusted his route to get closer to that first down line whatever he did it works move the sticks completion good for first down yardage for this offense quarterback drops back from the shotgun looking for a receiver physical defending that one Falls incomplete complete brings up second down what a hit there by the defender tough for the receiver to hold on to the football when he has that kind of contact good clean play by the defense so after the incompletion it's second down and the quarterback dropping back it's incomplete he was hit as he BL that time and now third down coming up well it's pretty simple the defensive line does a great job of getting after the quarterback and forcing him into that incompletion so the offense getting set this is not where you want to be against this defense third and long dropping back looking to throw for the first down so contact on the throw makes the catch can he get in and they stop him just short of the end zone the offense set up with a first and goal now and a quick timeout call by the offense after the play mobos looking to punch it in here it's first and goal keep it on the ground on first and goal fights his way in for the score touchdown New Mexico touchdown well I just love to see an offense finish off a drive you get inside that 5 yd line you've got to be able to pound the ball to the goal line and into the end zone great job to finish it off [Applause] [Music] so they'll try to add to the lead now with the p they go up 18 after the P that makes the score New Mexico 21 Arizon so the offense gets moment scoring before halftime now the kick up we'll see if the defense can get us stop and preserve that momentum return starts from inside the five gets it to the 25 yd line that's when they start the drive here comes the Arizona offense back out on the field see if this quarterback can bounce back the last possession a pick on the very first play receiver makes the grab the timeout is called we talk strategy close game here as we approach halftime just a good chop here by the quarterback got the ball out to his receiver his guy eats up some yards they stay ahead of the sticks offense getting set up here's second down looking to pass it's PA and the receiver snags it it's complete he's ruled down after the catch but it's enough for a first down offense stops the clock with their second timeout to talk strategy and looking to throw now on first down caught quickly breaks ATT on the play and makes a decent game the offense will Now quickly spend a timeout the key here Chris is the timing by the quarterback the fact he got the ball out quickly gave his receiver a chance one more hitch or a slight hesitation and that's an incompletion or an interception the offense comes back out there not much time left perhaps just time for a couple plays before the half on Third and short they'll try to throw for it here and he decides to just throw it away that's going to bring up fourth down now man a quarterback here just threw this football away on Third and short starting to wonder about this running game right now if on Third and short you decide to throw for it maybe they're looking to give the defense a new look or maybe keep them guessing see what they do here on fourth down and he boots it out of bounds not very long and the punt lands out of bounds let's see exactly where they'll spot it here looks like they'll take a knee in the final play and head to halftime with the lead looks like the offense is content to run out the clock here and just take it to intermission and that will do it for the first half here Kevin Connors now has our halftime update thanks so much guys and I need not tell you rivalry games always bring out a ton of emotion and no surprise we saw just that in the first half today and we've got to start our halftime breakdown with this Superstar running back his elusiveness his raw power this young man is the total package and his ability to catch the ball out of the back field is a differentiator a lot of guys can hit the hole this kid can hit the hole and hit the home run in the passing game with that let's throw it back to the guys to see how this rivalry match up plays out he'll return it from inside the five and the cover team pins it in and brings him down okay so the Arizona offense head back out of the field now receiver in motion now here's the hand off with the Jet Sweep and the defense Smothers him for No Gain discipline discipline discipline that's the key to this defense right now great job against the Jet Sweep of staying out wide and not giving that receiver much room at all no huddle here for the [Applause] offense quarterback pulls the ball it's a keeper finding some room with the 25 they bring him down but a big chunk of yardage on the play the quarterback makes the correct read there and the result is a big game what I like here Chris is the ball handling by this quarterback on the read option the defender commits down to the back he does a nice job of being able to see that pulls it out and it gets up Field North and South for the first down it's a Jet Sweep receiver trying to turn the corner they've got him down out near the 40 offense getting set second down play [Music] here they're going to run it back gets the carry missu able to make the stop after a short game at the 42 yd [Music] L urgency now for the offense that hate to come up empty on this drive down multiple scores rning play called on Third and short and they'll stop him just short to the marker good effort but the defense holds now it's fourth down at the 43 offense facing fourth [Applause] down punt team ready to boot it away on to kick it away helping his team with field [Applause] position he'll call for the fair catch here here comes the New Mexico offense back on the field and the ball is handed off out of the shotgun and they'll stop him after a fairly minimal pickup second down after that run on the previous play looking to throw it's dampier it's a short completion of the big TI [Applause] [Music] third that catch makes it a more manageable third [Applause] down looking to pick up the first down through the air SS a quick throw brought down to the 23 good enough for a first down well this quarterback is unflappable here they are working with the lead in the second half get to a third down you got to throw the football this is where you trust the quarterback to make a good decision an accurate throw he does it you convert and you keep working that clock the Lobos have first and 10 here out of the shotgun he'll hand it off what's the play call here on second down for this offense using his legs it's Henry solid run the Ring of D at the 28 yd line [Music] so from the 28 yd line it's a third and manageable here it's a draw play tackled but first down how impressive these guys been up front today big third down know what you need to do get the first down continue to hold on to that lead continue to work clock and get that much closer to securing a victory the Lobos pick up enough yardage for a fresh first set of downs they'll switch it up here looking to throw and it's incomplete the defender arve the same time as the football and now it's second down man Chris I don't know if that was a bad read by the quarterback or a bad route by the receiver they got to get this cleaned up before the next time they go through the air so second down after the incompletion there's the handoff they'll stop him behind the line for a loss of one they don't block the defensive end who shows some quickness KK getting around the edge that time yeah this guy's usually getting around the edge to put pressure on the quarterback but he reminds everybody here that this guy's a complete package not only can he pressure the quarterback but also he is very very talented and shows you the physicality he has against the run as well inter grab in the middle it's Sanders he's not going to get the first down it's fourth down you know it's third down as a quarterback you're sitting there back in the pocket trying to find a matchup that you like pretty much everything taken away I like his thought to get it to the running back cuz he's a talented gifted player but he just could not wiggle free to pick up the first down then fourth down the punter sends it away with the return it's McMillan and the Turner is brought down here comes the Arizona offense back out on the field they came up empty on the last position forced to pun it away and they begin to click now they flicker to him on the Jet Sweep running past the 35 the stop made at the 45 but enough for a first down the defense has got to do a much better job here of adjusting to the pre- snap motion they just kind of stayed in place and it gave the receiver plenty of room there to make a nice play wae One play moves the ball to the 45 it'll be first down off the play fake looking to throw lets it Go quickly has incomplete very nearly intercepted that time well these guys just continue to struggle throwing the football you know whether it's been running the wrong route quarterback not being accurate the offensive line not doing their job it's been a collective effort and it's a big big reason why they're trailing now in this game incompletion makes it second down to throw it's faid from the pocket delivers over the middle they bring him down just short of the marker inches away from a first down but when you sit back and play zone defense like this what you allow is your defense to have eyes on the football here they give up the catch but you can see how they rally to the football there's just nowhere to go for this slot receiver and it's been an old school ground game duel these running backs have been putting on a show so far [Music] today so one final quarter to play it's going to take a lot to turn this game around but strange things do happen in college football looking to throw again has CAU can we get in he makes it to the end zone touchdown Arizona aren't you Tau a defense Kirk don't let him throw the football over your head exactly what happened there that makes me really wonder if it was some kind of miscommunication if I'm the defensive coordinator I pull my defensive backs over make sure everybody's on the same page and getting the right call [Music] now the try here for the extra point on for the extra [Applause] point they make the extra point betrayal [Music] 2110 now they get set to kick it away number 3 set a kick this L fields it just outside the goal line and he stopped at the 19 good job by the coverage team and the Lobos offense is back out there forced to punt last time tried to add points build the lead right here opening play of the drive quick throw to the left to get him down quickly not much of a gain in that completion love the timing here between the quarterback and his receiver some positive yards I continue to be impressed with just the the chemistry between these two second down after that run on the previous [Applause] play ball handed off tackled at the 32 that's enough for a first down hey you got to do what you got to do you got to rely on that offensive line in the running game here to be able to secure a victory good call and just keep working that clock that run picks up first down yardage a fresh set of downs for this offense handoff from the shotgun and they'll move the six on that one it's a first down to the 42 that's going to be a first down and and really Chris kind of surprised here in the fourth quarter not to see this defense dial up some pressure they're just sitting back in the base making it relatively easy for the offense defense to pick up a first down on the ground mobos begin a new series here first and 10 shotgun formation here's an inside handoff sofh with a strong tackle there second down after that run on the previous play dropping back it's dampier looking to scramble quarterback on the move trying to make something happen he'll avoid the big hit with the slide well they did a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback but man make the play bring him down instead they give up positive yards here on the [Applause] scramble big guys up front lined up it's first down he'll hand it off they tackle him looks like it's going to be just short of the marker inches away now you're starting to see this defense I think wear down now that we're in the fourth quarter it's been a tough day for them and the offense is taking advantage of it a lot of positive plays good job of eating as much clock as they can here on this drive in the fourth quarter out of the shotgun he hands It Off and he's tackled but only after picking up a first down well this offense just seems to get more confident as this football game has played out they've got a nice lead here they are in the fourth quarter just working that clock possessing the football and trying to get out of here with a nice solid Victory that's an important first down on that running [Applause] play and of course they'll work the clock here keep it on the ground a solid 8yd gain brings up second and two great job by the running back is staying inbounds to continue to work that clock working here in the fourth quarter with the lead you got to have defense get closer and closer to their goal line they are backed up and they are desperate they've got to make a play here the offense just has to take care of the ball a chance to really secure Victory here look to throw it here on second down and it's intercept of the desperation throw here not much of a return but the pick ends a scoring and the offense up the 33 what a play by the defense really the only way they can get back into this game is to create a turnover they get an interception and they're in [Music] [Applause] [Music] business okay so the Arizona offense heads back out of the field now new comes a first down pass attempt makes the grab it's McMillan defense reacts quickly a very short gain on the play a fourth quarter down by a couple scores this offense doing everything they can to not just score points but do it in a hurry try to preserve the clock here they're tackled in bounds they don't pick up a first down good job by this defense to keep that clock moving back to throw it's fa makes a quick grab defense wraps him up after the catch but he's just short of a first down well we just continue to see this defense make great plays especially with their tackling and the awareness to understand we're in the fourth quarter you're trying to keep this offense inbounds so they keep that clock moving offense in hurry up [Music] mode going to pick up the third and short through the air airing this one out toward the side of and it's incomplete they let it fly on third down but now it brings up fourth a the quarterback and receiver just not quite on the same page but the good news is it's fourth down and short and trailing in this game you've got to convert here to keep your hopes alive the offense stays on the field down multiple possessions Easy Choice quarterback's got it on the option that's a big game great decision to keep the ball and pick up the first half that is some determination by this offense here picking up a new set of downs on the run the call works out perfectly you just needed two yards you pick it up now you've got another chance at points first down play call how aggressive will it be from the shotgun he's probing the second down it's an out route the catch made defense surrounds him just a short gain on that completion well playing with the lead good job by this defense to keep the receiver in bounds try to keep that clock moving trying to secure a victory the clock is still running they got to get set quickly looking to pass here on second down and there's a deep throw at the clock winding down tried to go very deep there good effort and now it's third down well they don't connect here but this is what you have to do it's late in the game you need points you're behind you got to take some shots I'd go right back to it try to find a matchup and go to one of your receivers that can make a play for you top spot the offense has to convert a third and long from the 30 to get this drive going and the clock winding down they'll take take a deep shot caught way down field for a huge game and a quick timeout call by the offense after the play trying to preserve as much clock as possible Arizona getting set with a first and 10 coming up looking to throw it's faid touchdown wild cats and the comeback continues well hold on now Chris we under two minutes to go these guys will not go away they hit this extra point cover on site kick you never [Music] [Applause] know they'll elect to go for two make this a three-point margin offense moving receivers around now before the snap Quick Pass here comes a Jet Sweep he'll get in there for two points now the deficit just a field goal believe they're lining up to attempt an onside kick and the hands seene able to recover the football linebackers moving around trying to confuse the offense New Mexico's offense retakes the field now can they play keep away here just protect this lead in the final two minutes now a timeout taken by the defense trying to preserve as much clock as possible for their offense hey it's a great job of this defense containing the running game but if I'm calling the plays I'm not abandoning the running game just yet I think it's important to have some sense of balance so throwing in oh the ball is not free who's got it it's a turnover I get being upset at the ball C for coughing up the ball but let's not ignore how big of a hit that was sometimes you just have to get credit to the defender for making a great play [Applause] [Music] the first play of this drive now they're set up at the [Applause] 34 looking to throw it on first down receiver looks it in it's complete and he's tackled after the catch man give the defense a lot of credit you're taking away the elite receiver that primary target forces the quarterback to find a second or third option it gets positive yards but any any time you can take away the big play late in the game it's going to help you be able to secure [Applause] Victory the offense spikes the ball here looking to preserve as much clock as they can [Applause] thir they'll get set needing to score quickly now looking for some big plays right here looking to pass it's be quick throw over the middle looks down field and finds a receiver who worked his way wide open tackle finally made but it's a huge gain they'll spot it at the 34 and that's great job of working the middle of the field by this quarterback and he picks up Big yards they move the six the hurry to the line here on first down now and the quarterback will just clock the football is incomplete it's second [Applause] down important second down play coming [Applause] up inside give now from the shotgun a Juke to man but not much room to maneuver stopped after a small game and the offense will take a timeout here 13 seconds remaining so here we go one of the biggest moments of this game the field goal unit is out there for a pressure kick and the defense signals time here with just 13 seconds left on the clock chance to tie the game here in the final minute of Regulation field goal try no good he missed it a missed chance to tie this game still down by three boy this guy's usually more reliable than this I thought that was going to be an easy field goal in three points but instead he misses so you walk away with nothing so with the lead secure here it's time to just take a knee run out the clock and plan the Victory celebration tonight Mexico Aron 18 [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] [Music]