Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After a few unsettling performances to start the year, the University of New Mexico defense of old made its presence felt once again in a convincing 23-0 victory over Baylor University on Saturday night at University Stadium. New Mexico stifled the Bears from start to finish, allowing just 107 yards, the stingiest effort since holding UTEP to 70 yards in 1983.
The Lobos improved to 2-2 for the first time since 1998, head coach Rocky Long’s first season at UNM. New Mexico won its third straight home game, the second by shutout, and has captured five straight non-conference contests at University Stadium. Baylor remained winless on the road falling to 1-2 on the season.
New Mexico wasted several opportunities in the first half. After taking a quick 7-0 lead, the Lobos drove down to the Baylor one-yard-line, but lost possession when junior quarterback Casey Kelly fumbled the ball while attempting to stretch it over the goal line. Later in the second quarter, sophomore kicker Wes Zunker misfired on a 43-yard field goal, followed by another miss by sophomore Matt Goldstein from 28-yards out. UNM went into the half with a narrow 7-0 lead, despite outgaining Baylor 156-32 through the first two quarters.
Of greater concern for UNM, the Lobos lost senior running back Quincy Wright for the season after he suffered a torn left ACL in the first quarter. The injury came at the end of a 13-yard run. Wright came into the game third in the nation in rushing, averaging 158.3 yards a game. He finished the game with 21 yards on four carries.
Redshirt freshman DonTrell Moore stepped in for Wright in the second half and gained 93 yards on 22 carries. Moore scored his first touchdown as a Lobo, a 2-yard plunge that gave UNM a 14-0 lead midway through the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the New Mexico defense was relentless, allowing the Bears just 10 yards from scrimmage in the quarter. Baylor entered the night averaging 36 points, and 474 yards of total offense per game. Goldstein chipped in a 32-yard field goal with 2:21 left in the third, then connected again from 32 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Kelly finished 14-28 for 98 yards passing, while Baylor quarterbacks Greg Cicero and Aaron Karas combined to hit 12-28 for 62 yards. BU running back Jonathan Golden, who scored six touchdowns a week ago in a win over Samford, was held to 27 yards on six carries.
New Mexico hits the road next weekend for a clash with rival New Mexico State on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Las Cruces. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m.9