ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Here’s what to look for when No. 19 Washington State hosts New Mexico on the road Saturday night.

When New Mexico has the ball…

All eyes will be on UNM dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, the team’s leading rusher and passer. On the ground, he has totaled 110 carries for 872 yards and 13 touchdowns, and through the air he has completed 196 of 334 passes (59%) for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, which is tied for the most nationally.

Dampier is the first dual-threat quarterback No. 19 WSU (8-1) has faced this season. Through nine games, the Cougs have only faced pocket passers, which has helped them get used to pro-style and pass-heavy offenses. The Lobos still throw a lot, but with weapons like Dampier and running back Eli Sanders in the backfield, the Cougs’ secondary and linebackers will need to contain UNM’s ball carriers.

“I think a lot of times you can deny a quarterback if you can be more physical than them up front, eliminate some of those driving lanes,” WSU coach. “He’s shown a lot of times, if you come out of a gap on some of the quarterback runs, he hits the big one. So it’s got to be crafty in how we attack it, but we’ve also got to go out there and stop it early, so we get more confidence for us to defend it.”

Dampier’s effectiveness comes in his elusiveness. He has forced 44 missed tackles this season, tied with WSU’s John Mateer for the most in the country by a quarterback, and that presents even more problems in short-yardage and third-down situations. The Lobos have converted 44% of their third downs this season, which ranks 34th nationally, an indication of how much UNM’s offense has punished opponents this season.

It could be an opportunity for WSU linemen David Gusta and Ansel Din-Mbuh to continue to make an impact. Last week against Utah State, fourth-year junior Gusta had his first career sack, and the week before that against San Diego State, Din-Mbuh secured a career-best three. In the registered edge rusher Nusi Malani also recorded a sack, proving how much progress the Cougs’ pass rush has made in recent weeks.

However, the other half of the battle is to bring down Dampier. WSU remains one of the nation’s worst tackle teams, compiling a Pro Football Focus tackle rating of 41.2, second-worst in the country. But the Cougs missed just eight tackles last week, their fewest of the season. They hope the number is a harbinger of good things to come on Saturday.

When Washington State has the ball…

The Cougs are coming off their best rushing outing of the season, turning in 303 rushing yards in a win over Utah State, and this weekend they get a New Mexico defense that allows 228 rushing yards per game, fourth-last nationally. The Lobos are allowing 38 points per game, which is also fourth-last nationally.

How does WSU’s offense fit into that equation? The Cougs might be able to do what they did against Utah State: Let their running backs go to work. WSU tailback Wayshawn Parker, who is expected to play after leaving early last week with a lower leg/ankle injury, posted 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, including a 75-yard scoring rush. Fellow running back Leo Pulalasi also tallied six carries for 62 yards, and Djouvensky Schlenbaker added 32 yards on 10 carries.

Look for WSU to try to play the same away against New Mexico, whose defense comes out and allows just 16 points in a win over San Diego State. Before that, the Lobos gave up 49 points to Wyoming, and that came after allowing just 17 points — just one offensive touchdown — in a loss to Colorado State.

It appears to be a challenge for WSU to impose its will, especially on the ground. UNM will likely drop extra defenders in coverage, waiting for the Cougs to prove they can run the ball with credibility before they start thinking about committing extra defenders closer to the line of scrimmage. WSU has done well to stop that approach this season, but as teams get more looks at Mateer, he’s had to reinvent parts of his game around opponents who keep him in the pocket.

That’s where Mateer, who has strung together three straight games without a turnover, can rely on his receivers: Kyle Williams and Kris Hutson and Carlos Hernandez, who have proven to be some of the best in the nation at throwing out yards after the catch. If they can do that against UNM, expect the Cougs to have a big day on offense.

“Our hands will be full,” Dickert said. “From zero to 10 yards in the 3-3 (defense) and the drop-eight, they take away all your quick passes. So we’ve got to find a way to run the football, be aggressive, make them drop and then try to get it back over the top of them. It’s been a good team. They’re playing with a lot of confidence this time of year.