The last week of the regular season in the National Student Football Organization (ONEFA) was filled with excitement, with standout performances from the Monterrey Borregos, Pumas UNAM, and Aztecas UDLAP. Borregos Monterrey team demonstrated their strength with a dominant victory over Borregos Puebla, while Pumas CU managed a spectacular comeback against Linces UVM. Finally, the Aztecas UDLAP finished unbeaten at home but did not secure a spot in the playoffs.
Borregos Monterrey 49 – Borregos Puebla 10
In a game that promised to be the highlight of the season, Borregos Monterrey left no doubt about their superiority, defeating Borregos Puebla in a crushing 49-10 victory. With this win, Monterrey secures the top spot and home-field advantage in the playoffs, reaffirming their position as favorites.
From the first quarter, Monterrey’s quarterback Fernando Sarabia was unstoppable. At 10:47, he connected on a 30-yard pass with Mauricio Santos to open the score at 7-0. Although Erick Andrade attempted to keep Puebla in the game with a 24-yard field goal, Monterrey quickly responded, extending the lead to 14-3 thanks to a 17-yard run by Sarabia.
The second quarter was a nightmare for Borregos Puebla. Sarabia threw four touchdown passes in this period; two to Miguel Ángel Lozano (one for 32 yards and another for 33), a third to Eduardo Ortega for 28 yards, and another to Mauricio Santos for 32 yards. By halftime, the score was a decisive 42-3, leaving no doubt as to which team was dominating.
Monterrey’s coach, Carlos Altamirano, chose to rest his starters in the second half, securing the win without risking key players. Although Borregos Puebla scored a touchdown in the final quarter through Emiliano Cerezo, the final score of 49-10 reflects Monterrey’s superiority. The Monterrey team will host Burros Blancos in the first round of playoffs, while Puebla will look to recover for their next home game.
Pumas UNAM CU 36 – Linces UVM 27
In an exciting matchup, Pumas CU pulled off an epic comeback to defeat Linces UVM 36-27. Although Linces seemed to have control with a 27-9 lead at the start of the last quarter, quarterback Leonardo Garza led a stunning comeback.
Linces UVM had started strong, with Iker Ayala throwing a touchdown pass and adding a rushing touchdown himself, while Leonardo Ballesteros also contributed with a touchdown run. Two field goals by Josué Hernández widened the lead for Linces, limiting Pumas to a single touchdown pass from Garza and a field goal.
However, in the final quarter, Garza took control. He threw three consecutive touchdown passes, including a two-point conversion, allowing Pumas to take the lead at 30-27. In the closing seconds, Linces attempted a 42-yard field goal to tie the game, but the attempt was blocked by Rodrigo Soto, who returned the ball 68 yards to seal the victory. With this win, Pumas secures the fourth playoff spot and will face Borregos CEM in the quarterfinals. This victory marks Pumas CU’s eighteenth consecutive win over Linces UVM, maintaining their historical dominance in this rivalry. With this win, Pumas is now in the playoffs and will face Borregos CEM in the quarterfinals, while Linces, who fell to eighth place, will face the powerful Monterrey Borregos, conference leaders.
Aztecas UDLAP 31 – Pumas UNAM Acatlán 7
The Aztecas UDLAP closed their season with a 31-7 victory over Pumas UNAM Acatlán, maintaining an undefeated record at home. Receiver Eduardo Valle opened the scoring with an end-zone catch in the first quarter, and although Pumas tied with a touchdown run, Juan José Acosta restored the lead for Aztecas with a rushing touchdown before halftime.
The third quarter was quiet, with both defenses shining. However, Aztecas sealed the victory in the final period with two more scores by Acosta. Although the Aztecas did not qualify for the playoffs, their home performance demonstrates the talent and strength of the Puebla team.
Borregos CEM 56 – Águilas UACH 10
In an equally impactful match, Borregos Estado de México crushed Águilas UACh with a resounding 56-10. Artemio Baños stood out with three touchdowns, including a pick-six after intercepting the opposing quarterback, another after blocking a punt, and another rushing touchdown, while Panamanian Joel Scott added two touchdowns on 7- and 60-yard runs.
Burros Blancos IPN 20 – Borregos CCM 13
Burros Blancos kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Borregos Ciudad de México 20-13. Raúl Silva intercepted a pass from quarterback Iker Colín and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, while quarterback Aldo Herrera scored on a 4-yard run. Colín was replaced by Jorge González after suffering his thirteenth interception of the season, but it was not enough to change the game’s outcome.
Águilas Blancas IPN 43 – Borregos Guadalajara 30
In an emotional showdown, the IPN Águilas Blancas defeated Borregos Guadalajara 43-30, securing their spot in the postseason. Initially, neither offense could score in the first quarter, but the score picked up in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown by Águilas Blancas. Borregos quickly responded with a reverse pass, but IPN regained the lead with a touchdown pass that put them up 14-7.
With less than three minutes to halftime, Alejandro Palacios scored again, and a safety added two more points to make it 21-7 at the half. In the opening drive of the third quarter, Jiménez found Harold Garibay for a 28-9 lead. Although Guadalajara responded with an 89-yard connection from José Luis Machorro to Mauricio Mendoza, IPN kept the advantage 36-23 with a two-point conversion by Ricardo Aviña.
The defenses seemed to vanish in the final quarter, with both teams scoring quickly. Finally, Jiménez found Fernando Quintero for a 38-yard touchdown, ending the score at 43-30 and securing Águilas Blancas’ playoff spot, who now await the final standings to determine their playoff position.
Tigres UANL 34 – Leones of Universidad Anáhuac Norte 7
The Tigres UANL declared themselves ready for the ONEFA playoffs after defeating the Leones of Universidad Anáhuac Norte 34-7. The Tigres finished the regular season with an impressive 8-1 record and thus secured the second playoff seed.
The power of “La Tonelada de Oro,” the Tigres offensive line, was evident, dominating in the trenches and amassing over 200 rushing yards. Ángel Alvarado, Humberto “Funko” Saldaña, and Eduardo Martínez capitalized on their line’s dominance with rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Ángel Fernández connected with Aldo Herrera for a touchdown pass, showcasing the team’s versatility.
The Tigres defense also shone, forcing three turnovers that disrupted the Leones’ offense. With this offensive and defensive display, Tigres UANL prove they are in excellent shape for the playoffs and ready to contend for the title.