David Anaya was a state champion wrestler as a Roswell Goddard senior in 2012.
Saturday, the senior running back went to the mat for the New Mexico Lobos. Without Anaya’s contributions on special teams, the Lobos’ stunning, 14-13 upset of Utah State would not have happened.
“A guy that jumps out at me is David Anaya,” UNM coach Bob Davie said after the game. “He’s an amazing kid.”
The Lobos (5-4 overall, 3-2 in Mountain West play) were nursing a 7-3 lead when, early in the third quarter, they punted from their own 38-yard line. Utah State returner Andrew Rodriguez fielded Zack Rogers’ punt at his own 10-yard line and headed up field — only to have Anaya hit him and simultaneously rip the ball from his grasp.