San Diego, Calif. – University of New Mexico senior defensive end Brian Johnson sacked San Diego State University junior quarterback Lon Sheriff with 1:14 remaining in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-seven play from the Aztec 47-yard line to secure the Lobos’ 20-15 victory on Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Senior kicker Vladimir Borombozin’s 37-yard field goal gave UNM a five-point lead with 2:09 remaining in the game after the Lobos recovered a fumble by SDSU senior punt returner Dante Gamble. New Mexico won for the third straight time in San Diego and improved to 3-2 in the Mountain West Conference, tied with Colorado State for third place.
San Diego State closed to within two points, 17-15, with 6:43 left in the game when Lobo sophomore quarterback Casey Kelly was sacked in the endzone by senior linebacker Dylan Robles for a safety. After the Aztecs failed to get a first down on their ensuing possession, New Mexico was forced to punt from its own 17-yard line. Gamble fielded the punt near the SDSU 35-yard line, but fumbled as he attempted to tuck the ball away. Lobo reserve linebacker Shannon Kincaid recovered the fumble at the Aztec 38-yard line. Five plays later, Borombozin connected on his second field goal of the night and 14th consecutive conversion overall.
Down 7-0 after the first quarter of play, UNM outscored San Diego State 17-3 in the second quarter to take a 17-10 lead at halftime. Sophomore receiver Dwight Counter made an acrobatic catch on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to tie the game at seven 13 seconds into the second quarter. After the Lobos’ took their first lead, 10-7, on another Borombozin 37-yard field goal, Kelly hit senior receiver Joel Baker down the middle of the field for a 61-yard touchdown. Baker, who entered the game with three career receptions for 26 yards, made an over-the-shoulder catch despite nearly perfect coverage by the SDSU defensive back.
Neither team was able to get their powerful running games in gear as the defenses were on display throughout the contest. Aztec running back Larry Ned, who entered the game as the nation’s leading rusher with an average of 146 yards per game, was limited to 93 yards on 27 carries by a swarming Lobo defense. SDSU finished with just 204 yards of total offense, including 56 rushing yards, but owned an 18-minute advantage in time of possession. New Mexico finished with 247 yards of total offense, including a season-low 49 yards on the ground.
Kelly finished 11-32 passing for 208 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, while Counter lead the Lobos with four receptions for 69 yards. For the Aztecs, Sheriff was 13-35 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown, while senior receiver Derrick Lewis and junior receiver J.R. Tolver finished with six catches apiece for 79 and 75 yards, respectively.
New Mexico returns to action next weekend as it takes on conference foe UNLV (3-6; 2-3 MWC) on Saturday, Nov. 10 in the first of a three-game homestand. Kick off is slated for 5:07 p.m. at University Stadium in Albuquerque.