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Isaiah Chavez, the walk-on fifth-string true freshman quarterback out of Rio Rancho High School who guided the University of New Mexico to two straight wins to end the season, said the past two weeks have been a dream come true.
Some noteworthy honors came on Monday to add to that dream.
Chavez, believed to be the first walk-on true freshman to start at quarterback in UNM program history, was named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Lobos (2-5) past Fresno State, 49-39, on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chavez was also one of eight quarterbacks that the Allstate Sugar Bowl selected as nominees for the Manning Award Stars of the Week. Fans have the opportunity to vote on Facebook until Thursday for the overall Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.
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Most wouldn’t have given the University of New Mexico a chance against Fresno State in a shootout with the Lobos being led by a fifth-string walk-on true freshman quarterback making his first start.
Turns out that QB, Isaiah Chavez from Rio Rancho High School, was the perfect man for the job, celebrations included.
Chavez, known for shooting off his finger guns while celebrating, ran for 95 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries as part of UNM’s 299 rushing yards in its 49-39 victory over the Bulldogs at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
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Chavez also threw for 196 yards and one touchdown on 14-of-18 passing with no interceptions. Last week, he threw the game-winning touchdown pass that led UNM to its first win of the season, a 17-16 upset over Wyoming, that ended a 14-game losing streak and stopped their Mountain West Conference losing streak