Chupacabras come up flat at NAZ in lopsided loss

PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - Sunday's opening game may not have impacted the playoff race at all, but the New Mexico Chupacabras and Northern Arizona Wranglers battled it out for the third and final time at Findlay Toyota Center this afternoon. Both of New Mexico's wins this season were achieved at the hands of Northern Arizona, with the Chupacabras hunting for a road win in Prescott Valley to complete the three-game season series sweep. The Wranglers, meanwhile, had an opportunity to log consecutive victories for the first time this season after their rally from 15 points down to topple Tucson in their previous game.

Faithful fans in Prescott Valley were treated to Northern Arizona's most dominant outing of the season, with a marvelous performance from rookie quarterback Anthony Garrett setting the tone and overwhelming the Chupacabra defense all game long. The Wranglers defense also chipped in multiple touchdowns in the fourth quarter as New Mexico once again navigated unfortunate injuries to the quarterback position. When the clock hit all zeroes, Northern Arizona had themselves a 71-33 win over New Mexico, with the 38-point margin of victory one point shy of the franchise's all-time single game high, which was set in a 2023 game versus San Diego, won by the Wranglers by a 48-9 margin.

Northern Arizona drew first blood on a seven-play touchdown drive to open the game, with Nolan Susel cashing in a one-yard run to give the Wranglers the first lead. The Chupacabras relied entirely on La'james White for their first possession, with the tailback taking five carries for 23 yards, with that fifth rushing attempt a one-yard touchdown dive to tie the game. Anthony Garrett quickly led a four-play drive for Northern Arizona's second touchdown, taking a two-yard rushing attempt himself into the endzone. The first quarter buzzer sounded midway through New Mexico's second drive, with the visitors looking to strike back down by seven.

After an incomplete pass on third down got the second quarter started, the Chupacabras settled for a 28-yard field goal by Kevin Macias, which cut their deficit to four points. A rare three and out by the Wrangler offense led to a 49-yard field goal attempt from Manny Higuera, who narrowly missed the lengthy attempt wide right. Guillermo Serrano, who started at quarterback for New Mexico, suffered an apparent ankle injury on the prior drive, forcing the visitors to turn to Blake Bartz in the interim. The first pass attempt from Bartz was a disconnect between his intended receiver, and the deep ball was intercepted by Brandon Luper of the Wranglers. The very next play, Garrett burned the Chupacabra secondary on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Warren Newman. A successful PAT and deuce from Higuera increased the lead to 13 points, though the Chupacabras kept within striking distance after a three-yard rush by White. Garrett again found a break in defensive structure, going deep a second straight time and locating a wide open Ka'Ron Ashley for a 36-yard touchdown pass. New Mexico's second drive under Bartz went three and out after a third down sack by Justin Outerbridge, and the 53-yard field goal attempt by Macias whistled wide left. Garrett and Ashley connected again on an eight-yard touchdown pass with under ten seconds left on the clock. After a solid kick return by Walter Wilbon set the Chupacabras up at midfield, Macias ran out and converted a 41-yard field goal at the buzzer. With 30 minutes in the books, the Wranglers raced out to a 37-20 lead.

New Mexico desperately needed a touchdown with the starting possession of the second half, and White came to the rescue for a five-yard touchdown rush for his third score of the game. The Chupacabra defense forced the Wranglers into a fourth and short situation, but a well-schemed misdirection play opened up a running lane for Kobe Smith, who housed a 19-yard touchdown rush to extend Northern Arizona's lead. Operating out of their unique wildcat formation for third and goal, White was unable to handle a misguided snap, and Kalen Hicks of the Wranglers recovered the loose ball. In the final minute of the quarter, Garrett again pierced the New Mexico defense with a pass to Ashley, with the catch-and-run going for a 21-yard touchdown reception to break the 50-point milestone for the Wranglers. The third quarter concluded shortly after with the score in favor of the hosts, 51-27.

New Mexico reverted to Bartz for their next drive, but the former Iowa Woo quarterback had a pass tipped and intercepted by Dywan Griffin, setting the Wranglers up in Chupacabra territory. Three plays later, Susel cut up field for a four-yard touchdown rush. Bartz continued his best efforts to provide a spark in the passing game, but amidst continued pressure tossed another interception to Griffin, with this pick going the other way for a Wrangler touchdown. The crushing hit Bartz endured on the throw would effectively force him from the game as well. On the following drive, New Mexico's attempted to open the playbook with a trick play, but the flea flicker pass was read all the way by Griffin, whose third interception of the quarter resulted in his second pick-six. Higuera was given the green light for a rare drop kick opportunity, but hit the right post to keep the Wranglers' scoring run at 34 unanswered points. Serrano gutted out his injury and guided the Chupacabras' next drive, and that fearlessness was rewarded as Serrano found Arthur Jackson for a 17-yard touchdown pass in the game's final minutes. The two-point conversion came up empty on a rushing attempt, and Northern Arizona took victory formation to wrap up their 2026 home finale with a massive 71-33 blowout win.

Guillermo Serrano was signed this week and made the start for the Chupacabras. In and out of the game due to an apparent first quarter ankle injury, he completed seven of ten passes for 79 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. La'james White was once again New Mexico's most effective offensive contributor, with 16 rushes for 64 yards and three touchdowns. Walter Wilbon rushed nine times for 43 yards. Arthur Jackson caught two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. Kisean Johnson made three catches for 25 yards. Luke Kelley recorded a sack for New Mexico's defensive line.

Anthony Garrett delivered another exceptional game at home in today's win, completing 15 of 20 passes for 227 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions, taking six carries for 17 yards and another score. Nolan Susel rushed seven times for 11 yards with two touchdowns, adding 32 yards on a pair of receptions. Ka'Ron Ashley exploded for nine receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Marlon Cook caught three passes for 33 yards, and Warren Newman's lone reception was a 29-yard touchdown. The Wrangler defense forced five takeaways today, including three interceptions by Dywan Griffin (two for touchdowns), one interception by Brendon Luper, and a fumble recovery by Kalen Hicks. Justin Outerbridge also recorded a sack. Manny Higuera made nine extra points and a deuce.

Northern Arizona's defensive awakening led to a plus-five in the turnover differential for the Wranglers in today's game. The hosts were whistled seven times for 45 yards, while New Mexico was flagged five times for 37 yards.

The Wranglers avoid the season series sweep with today's win, after the Chupacabras won both prior meetings at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. Those victories were by 47-40 on April 11 and 35-32 on June 21. Northern Arizona had previously gone 2-8 against the former New Mexico-based IFL franchise, the Duke City Gladiators, from 2021 to 2024.

The Chupacabras (2-13) will conclude their season next Saturday in San Diego, where they will take on the Strike Force (10-3) on Saturday July 18, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. The Wranglers (3-11) close their season with consecutive away games, starting with an in-state tussle with the Tucson Sugar Skulls (6-8) on Sunday July 19, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. Times listed are mountain daylight time.

Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be available on the IFL's broadcast and streaming platforms; Yahoo Sports Network or Overnght. Sports Coast to Coast will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game on the site.