Mexico: ONEFA Week 1 delivers blowouts, shootouts and stunning comebacks
The 2026 season of ONEFA’s 14 Grandes Conference began with a week that had everything: dominant performances, explosive offenses, spectacular comebacks, games decided in the final seconds and the historic debut of the first team from southeastern Mexico to compete at the highest level of Liga Mayor football.
The seven Week 1 matchups provided an early glimpse of what could be in store this season. The defending champion Auténticos Tigres UANL opened their title defense in commanding fashion; Borregos Monterrey survived a 91-point shootout; Pumas CU and Burros Blancos rallied from seemingly insurmountable deficits; and Borregos Puebla, Aztecas UDLAP and Borregos CEM also began their campaigns with convincing victories.
The defending champions have not missed a beat
The Auténticos Tigres UANL began their championship defense with a resounding 49–7 victory over the Águilas Blancas IPN in front of more than 10,000 fans at Estadio Gaspar Mass.
The opening minutes, however, presented an unexpected challenge for the home team. The Águilas Blancas struck first and took a 7–0 lead, but the response from the defending champions was immediate.
Making his debut as UANL’s quarterback, Mirko Martos connected with Ángel Alvarado on a pass of nearly 70 yards, moving the offense close to the goal line. On the next play, Martos found Christian Espinoza in the end zone to tie the game.
From that moment on, the complexion of the contest changed completely. The Tigres took control at the line of scrimmage, accelerated their offensive production and entered halftime with a commanding 35–7 advantage.
In the third quarter, Alvarado scored his second touchdown of the game and Gael Reyes returned an interception for another score, extending the lead to 49–7.
With the outcome secured, head coach Juan Antonio Zamora Montemayor used the final period to give his reserve players valuable experience. The defending champions opened their season with an emphatic victory and confirmed that, despite the changes made during the offseason, they remain one of the leading contenders for the title.
Aztecas begin a new chapter with a victory
The Aztecas UDLAP defeated the CETYS Zorros 30–7 in a game in which the Puebla offense quickly established its rhythm and the defense delivered several decisive plays.
Iker Ayala needed only a few minutes to throw his first touchdown pass for the Aztecas. The new quarterback connected with Emiliano Baz, and Edoardo Aldrete added the extra point to make it 7–0.
Aldrete later converted a field goal, while Juan José Acosta Miller found an opening in the defense and reached the end zone on the ground to extend the advantage.
CETYS attempted to slow down the Aztecas by generating pressure with its defensive line and managed to remain competitive for much of the first half. In the third quarter, the Zorros finally produced a big play. From their own 49-yard line, the quarterback completed a pass over the middle to Rodríguez, who raced 51 yards for a touchdown.
The response was not enough. Denilson Rodríguez answered with a rushing touchdown for UDLAP, while José León Caso produced one of the most spectacular plays of the weekend by intercepting a pass and returning it all the way to the end zone.
The victory represented a promising start for Raúl Rivera’s team. The arrival of Iker Ayala, who transferred to UDLAP from the Linces UVM, has given the offense a new dynamic, while the Aztecas defense showed that it can generate the game-changing plays needed to turn momentum in its favor.
Monterrey survives a 91-point shootout
Borregos Monterrey and Borregos CCM produced the most explosive matchup of the opening week. After four quarters of constant scoring, Monterrey escaped with a 49–42 victory.
Monterrey opened the scoring when Fernando Sarabia connected with Daniel Santos in the end zone, but CCM answered with a rushing touchdown by quarterback Jorge Emilio González. Wilfredo Fausto and Fernando Mayén then reached the end zone for Monterrey, although the Mexico City team remained within one possession.
González was the driving force behind CCM’s offense. His mobility created problems for the Monterrey defense throughout the afternoon and allowed him to score multiple rushing touchdowns. Sarabia responded before halftime with another touchdown pass to Daniel Santos Guerra, giving Monterrey a 28–21 lead at the break.
The intensity increased during the second half. A helmet-to-helmet hit on González resulted in the ejection of Arsenio Salmones. Shortly afterward, the CCM quarterback reached the end zone again to keep his team in contention.
The game’s most explosive play came only seconds later. Fernando Tonda turned a reception into a 93-yard touchdown, restoring Monterrey’s two-score advantage. Contreras added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
CCM never stopped fighting. González led another comeback attempt, and the Mexico City team pulled within 49–42 with only eight seconds remaining. The rally came too late, however, and Monterrey managed to preserve the victory.
Pumas silence the Lion’s Den
A new era for Pumas CU under head coach César Eduardo Belmonte began with a spectacular comeback. The UNAM squad rallied to defeat the Universidad Anáhuac México Norte Leones 34–28 at the Cueva del León.
The home team entered halftime with a narrow 14–13 advantage and began the second half by attacking weaknesses in the Pumas secondary. A deep pass of approximately 50 yards resulted in a touchdown and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Pumas responded every time Anáhuac appeared ready to pull away. The game entered its final minutes with the Leones leading 28–27 after the UNAM squad missed an extra point.
The Pumas defense then produced a crucial stop and returned the ball to an offense led by Emiliano Sánchez Hernández. The No. 10 quarterback had not started the game, but his performance ultimately became the key to his team’s comeback.
Once inside Anáhuac territory, Sánchez took a chance with a deep pass to wide receiver Raúl Blanco. The connection ended in the end zone, silenced the Cueva del León and allowed chants of “Goya” to rise from the visiting section.
Anáhuac had only 35 seconds remaining to respond and needed a touchdown, but it never came. Pumas CU left with an important 34–28 victory, allowing Belmonte to begin his tenure as head coach with a character-building road win.
Burros Blancos complete an improbable comeback
The IPN Burros Blancos appeared headed for defeat after falling behind 17–0 against the Linces UVM. The arrival of quarterback Aldo Herrera in the third quarter changed the game and allowed the Burros Blancos to escape Estadio JOM in Lomas Verdes with a dramatic 21–20 victory.
The Linces completely controlled the first half. Erik Oswaldo opened the scoring with a 25-yard field goal, while Mauricio Castillo deflected a pass from Óscar Javier López, secured the interception and returned it 27 yards for a pick six. The home team entered halftime with a 10–0 advantage.
Early in the third quarter, Diego Rojas Pelcastre scored on an 18-yard run to extend the lead to 17–0. That was when the IPN comeback began.
Rogelio Altamirano reduced the deficit with a two-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, Herrera threw his first touchdown pass to Alan Gonzalo Hernández, pulling the Burros Blancos within 17–14.
A fumble by Orlando Vega was recovered by Castillo, allowing the Linces to increase their lead to 20–14 with a 32-yard field goal by Erik Oswaldo. Shortly afterward, Juan Carlos Calderón intercepted Herrera in the end zone, apparently ending the visitors’ hopes.
The Burros Blancos received one final opportunity. With a minute and a half remaining and the ball at the UVM 22-yard line, Herrera used his mobility inside the pocket to extend the play and find Mario Alejandro Hernández in the end zone. Mixel Franco converted the extra point that gave IPN the decisive 21–20 advantage.
The victory demonstrated the resilience of the Burros Blancos, while the Linces let a game they had controlled for nearly three quarters slip away.
Puebla makes an early statement
Borregos Puebla began the season with one of the most complete performances of Week 1, defeating Borregos Guadalajara 36–0 at La Fortaleza.
New quarterback Ian Gael González delivered an outstanding debut. He threw three touchdown passes during the first half—two to Emilio Lozada and another to Sebastián Arellano—while also contributing yards on the ground. Íker Reyes and Luis Serrano complemented the passing attack with rushing touchdowns.
The Puebla defense led by Eric Fisher was equally dominant. Puebla consistently pressured the Guadalajara offense, forced turnovers and prevented the home team from capitalizing on its opportunities in the red zone.
Puebla entered halftime with a 29–0 advantage. The team remained in control during the second half, and Serrano scored his second rushing touchdown of the night to produce the final 36–0 margin.
Borregos Puebla finished with 497 total yards—312 through the air and 185 on the ground—while Guadalajara managed only 272. The statistical difference reflected Puebla’s dominance on both sides of the ball and confirmed that the team could emerge as one of the season’s major contenders.
CEM spoils Cancún’s historic celebration
Estadio Coliseo Maya hosted a historic occasion on Saturday, September 5. The Universidad Anáhuac Cancún Leones played their first game in the 14 Grandes Conference, becoming the first team from southeastern Mexico to compete at the highest level of ONEFA football.
Borregos CEM spoiled the celebration with a 57–28 victory, although the final score did not fully reflect the intensity of the game during its opening stages.
The Leones took the field without fear and finished the first quarter tied 14–14. Lorenzo Calvo led the Cancún squad’s historic start with a rushing touchdown and a 55-yard scoring pass to Iker García.
CEM’s experience and roster depth began to make the difference during the second quarter. A fumble and an interception by the home team gave the State of Mexico squad additional possessions, and CEM capitalized on those mistakes to take a 28–14 lead into halftime.
During the second half, head coach Héctor Palacios successfully rotated his three quarterbacks. CEM’s combination of aerial and ground attacks gradually wore down the Cancún defense before the visitors completed the 57–28 victory.
The defeat did not erase the significance of the occasion for the Leones. Cancún demonstrated during the first quarter that it has the talent to compete, but it also received an immediate introduction to the demands of Liga Mayor’s highest level. Roster depth, limiting mistakes and maintaining its performance throughout all four quarters will be essential during the team’s adaptation to the conference.
The Leones will have a bye in Week 2, while Borregos CEM will visit the Universidad Anáhuac México Norte Leones on Friday, September 11.
An opening week filled with early messages
Week 1 confirmed the strength of the leading contenders, but it also provided several indications of how the season could develop. The Auténticos Tigres began their championship defense without displaying any obvious weaknesses; Monterrey retained its offensive firepower but allowed 42 points; Puebla delivered a balanced performance; and CEM displayed the depth of its roster.
The Aztecas received an immediate boost with former UVM quarterback Iker Ayala leading the offense, while Pumas CU and the Burros Blancos demonstrated the character necessary to win close games. The Leones Anáhuac Cancún, meanwhile, wrote the opening page of a story whose importance extends far beyond the final score.
There is still a long season ahead, but the opening week established one certainty: the 2026 campaign in ONEFA’s 14 Grandes Conference promises to be every bit as competitive, unpredictable and exciting as expected.
Conferencia Nacional scores
Indios UACJ 42–20 Cimarrones UABC
Águilas UACH 21–10 Lobos UAC
Red Wolves Arkansas St. 24–21 Lobos ULM
Cardinals U. Incarnate Word 3–26 Tecos UAG
Frailes UT 28–0 Panteras U SXXI
Toros Salvajes UACh 26–28 Halcones UV
Pumas UNAM Acatlán 17–12 Búhos IPN Medicina
Correcaminos UAT 0–56 Leones UAQ
