Most athletes would consider it a blessing to get a single touch in an FBS bowl game. 

Meridian High School alumnus Richard McQuarley got 17, and he accounted for almost half of his team’s points.

McQuarley, a junior running back for New Mexico, finished with 68 yards and two touchdowns in New Mexico’s 23-20 win against Texas San Antonio back on Dec. 17 in the New Mexico Bowl. It was a great way to cap off a productive season in which McQuarley finished with 656 total rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 143 attempts, good for approximately 4.6 yards per carry.

“Me starting in the bowl game, it was like a dream come true,” McQuarley said. “I’ve been waiting to do this for the longest time. I came up as a child with a humble attitude and have always been competitive. It was my second bowl game, but it was the first I actually really played in, and we won, so it’s a great feeling. I give the glory to God; He really answered my prayers.”

After having such a productive day, McQuarley said he remembers coming out of the tunnel with a lot of energy in the New Mexico Bowl, and that translated to big things on the field, he said.

“I felt like I was loose, like every bone in my body was working right,” McQuarley recalled. “It was supposed to be our last game (of the season), but it felt like one of our first.”

Being such a big part of his team’s win gives McQuarley extra satisfaction, knowing a lot of people doubted he would play at the FBS level.

“They probably thought I wouldn’t do anything, but now they’re on my side telling me I’m great,” McQuarley said with a chuckle. “But to me personally, it felt like I accomplished my goals. People are even telling me I’m an NFL prospect next year, and that really helps me keep focused and do more than I did last year.”

McQuarley pointed back to a 54-yard touchdown run he had in the Lobos’ 56-35 win against Wyoming back in November, in which McQuarley had 15 carries for 121 yards and three scores to go along with two catches for 58 yards. Ever since then, McQuarley said he feels the coaching staff has had more confidence in his abilities.

“It opened my coaches’ eyes,” McQuarley said. “They could see I could run and catch it out of the backfield.”

The bowl win capped off a 9-4 season for New Mexico in which the Lobos finished 8-2 after starting the season 1-2.

“I feel like we came a long way,” McQuarley said. “We lost two games back-to-back to start off, and it felt like a lot of fans left our side, but we really got ourselves together after that. Everyone’s bond got stronger, and we came together as a team and stayed with each other instead of knocking each other down. It helped us get to nine wins.”

Now that he has two seasons at New Mexico under his belt, McQuarley said he’s comfortable with the FBS game enough to where it no longer feels too fast. His focus now turns toward spring training and preparing for his final season with the Lobos next fall.

“My mindset is to do better than I did last year,” McQuarley said. “It has to be a grind, where you go all the way in. You have to have that type of hungry attitude.”

For right now, McQuarley is back in Meridian enjoying family and friends before returning to school later this month. 

“Everywhere I go a lot of people are applauding me and telling me to stay focused,” McQuarley said. “I haven’t seen (my family and friends) since June, but it had me thinking I’ve come a long way. It feels good to have people know you, and it lets me know people are watching me. That’s what helps me push harder.”

One of the main reasons McQuarley chose New Mexico was to help him grow as a person, and he said he feel like he’s done that in the last year.

“If I was still at home, I’d be the same guy, instead of going somewhere else and focusing more on myself,” McQuarley said. “I feel God did that to me for a reason.”

McQuarley is the son of Sharon McQuarley and Richard Thomas.