Week 8 of Mexico’s ONEFA 14 Grandes featured a dramatic comeback by the Pumas CU, a victory for the Burros Blancos in the Polytechnic rivalry game, and commanding performances from the Tigres UANL, Borregos Monterrey, Borregos CEM and Leones Anáhuac México.
With the regular season approaching its conclusion and six playoff berths already secured, the battle for the final two postseason spots is heating up.
Pumas UNAM 35, Aztecas UDLAP 32: Sánchez engineers dramatic comeback
The Pumas CU overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat the Aztecas UDLAP 35–32 at Templo del Dolor in Cholula, earning their seventh victory of the season.
Quarterback Emiliano Sánchez entered the game during the first half after starter Lenny Garza suffered an ankle injury. Sánchez would become the central figure in the comeback, throwing two touchdown passes and scoring the game-winning touchdown on the ground.
The Aztecas controlled much of the opening three quarters, building a 29–14 lead. Iker Ayala scored on the ground and connected with Emilio Benítez for a touchdown pass, while Nicolás Aceves added field goals to keep the hosts in front.
But the Pumas refused to go away.
Jahdiel Ponce ignited the comeback with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and later caught a scoring pass from Sánchez. Rodrigo Blanco added another touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 32–29.
With fewer than two minutes remaining, Sánchez completed the comeback with a touchdown run, giving UNAM a three-point lead.
The Aztecas had one final opportunity but could not respond, allowing the Pumas to escape Cholula with a crucial road victory.
Borregos CEM 45, Borregos Guadalajara 14: Turnovers fuel third straight victory
The Borregos CEM extended their winning streak to three games with a convincing 45–14 victory over the Borregos Guadalajara at La Fortaleza Azul.
The visitors established control almost immediately, using three first-quarter interceptions to build a 21–0 lead.
Arturo Tapia opened the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown. On Guadalajara’s next possession, Argentine linebacker Fermín Campos picked off another pass, setting up another scoring opportunity.
Edgar Ochoa and Damián Chirinos added rushing touchdowns as CEM continued to capitalize on turnovers.
The hosts responded with two touchdowns before halftime, trimming the deficit to 28–14, but the visitors regained control after the break.
A field goal, a touchdown pass from Ochoa to Jan Alí Casafont and a rushing touchdown by Patricio Macías completed the scoring.
Guadalajara committed six turnovers, an obstacle it could not overcome against an increasingly confident CEM squad.
The victory improved CEM to 4–4 and strengthened its playoff hopes, while Guadalajara slipped to 4–3.
Burros Blancos IPN 22, Águilas Blancas IPN 14: Defense decides Polytechnic rivalry
The Burros Blancos claimed bragging rights in the Polytechnic rivalry with a 22–14 victory over the Águilas Blancas at Wilfrido Massieu Stadium.
Head coach Fernando Rojas saw his team overcome an early deficit before relying on defense and special teams to secure the win.
After the Águilas Blancas opened the scoring, quarterback Óscar Javier López connected with Alan Rivera for a touchdown. A 44-yard field goal by Mixel Franco gave the Burros Blancos a 10–7 halftime lead.
Franco added another field goal in the third quarter before David Moreno delivered the game’s biggest defensive play, intercepting a pass and returning it 80 yards for a touchdown.
That extended the lead to 19–7.
The Águilas Blancas responded with a rushing touchdown by Delgadillo, cutting the margin to five points, but Franco connected on his third field goal of the afternoon, this time from 45 yards, to make it 22–14.
The Águilas Blancas threatened again late but ran out of time.
The Burros Blancos improved to 4–4 and remained in playoff contention, while the Águilas Blancas dropped to 2–5.
Tigres UANL 58, Zorros CETYS 28: Martos returns as champions stay perfect
The defending champion Tigres UANL remained unbeaten with a 58–28 victory over the Zorros CETYS in Mexicali, improving to 6–0.
The game marked the return of quarterback Mirko Martos, who wasted little time making his presence felt.
Playing the first half, Martos threw four touchdown passes, connecting twice with Christian Espinosa and once each with Alan Patricio Silva and Erik Mercado.
Nilson García added two rushing touchdowns as head coach Antonio Zamora’s offense continued to produce points through multiple contributors.
The Zorros had their moments offensively, with quarterback Miguel Ernesto Rodríguez throwing touchdown passes to José Figueroa and Nicolás Valdéz. The hosts also scored twice on the ground.
However, CETYS could not match the firepower of the defending champions.
The Tigres maintained their perfect record, while the Zorros remained winless and continued to face an uphill battle to retain their place in the 14 Grandes.
Borregos Monterrey 59, Leones Anáhuac Cancún 0: Another shutout for unbeaten Monterrey
The Borregos Monterrey continued their undefeated campaign with a 59–0 rout of the Leones Anáhuac Cancún.
The hosts wasted little time taking control, building a commanding 42–0 halftime lead.
Fernando Mayen opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown, while quarterback Fernando Sarabia connected with Víctor Palacios and Miguel Ángel Lozano for touchdown passes.
Monterrey continued adding points after halftime despite turning to its reserves, while the defense prevented Cancún from reaching the end zone.
For the Leones, the defeat marked a second consecutive shutout following a 75–0 loss to the Borregos Puebla the previous week.
The back-to-back defeats have highlighted the challenges facing Cancún in its first season in the 14 Grandes, particularly the differences in roster depth and resources between established programs and newcomers.
For Monterrey, the result represented another convincing step in its pursuit of the national championship.
Leones Anáhuac México 31, Linces UVM 6: Leones strengthen playoff position
The Leones Anáhuac México moved closer to securing a postseason berth with a convincing 31–6 victory over the Linces UVM at Cueva del León.
The hosts controlled the game from the outset, combining an effective passing attack with a defense that allowed just six points.
Quarterback Gerardo Reyes threw touchdown passes to David Gutiérrez and José Gómez, while Gael Gutiérrez added a rushing touchdown.
Kicker Carlos Andree Jaime contributed three field goals as the Leones steadily extended their advantage.
The victory improved Anáhuac México to 5–3 and strengthened its position in the playoff race.
Meanwhile, the Linces suffered their fifth defeat, further complicating their postseason prospects.
With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the Leones remain focused not only on reaching the playoffs but also on positioning themselves for a possible home postseason game.
Other Week 8 results
Leones UAQ 14, Búhos IPN Medicina 10
Potros ITSON 58, Cimarrones UABC 0
Potros Salvajes UAEM 17, RedWolves Arkansas State 13
Frailes UT 7, Cardinals UIW 6
Halcones UV 7, Lobos ULM 0
Pumas UNAM Acatlán 47, Correcaminos UAT 3
Tecos UAG 24, Toros Salvajes UACh 6
Two playoff berths remain up for grabs
With six postseason places already secured, only two spots remain available in the ONEFA 14 Grandes playoff field.
The unbeaten Tigres UANL and Borregos Monterrey continue to set the pace, while the Pumas CU have reinforced their status as championship contenders.
Behind them, teams such as the Borregos CEM, Burros Blancos and Leones Anáhuac México are fighting to strengthen their postseason positions.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, every victory becomes increasingly valuable, and the race for the remaining playoff places promises plenty of drama.
