Oct. 16, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
With the win, New Mexico improves to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in MWC play…theLobos have won 6 of their past 8 MWC road games and 8 of 11…they alsoavoided an 0-3 conference start for the first time since 1998, the lastyear of the WAC…UNM is now 2-3 against UNLV in Las Vegas, winning thepast 2.
After averaging 208 yards in its last two games, UNM finished with 376yards of total offense…the Lobos had 194 in the first half alone…NewMexico grounded out 284 rushing yards and is now 18-3, under Rocky Long,when rushing for more than 225 yards.
Once again, the Lobo defense had a big second half, allowing just 138yards, including 29 yards rushing, and 3 points after the break…over thepast 6 games UNM has yielded an average of 4.3 points (4 FGs, 2 TDs), 49.3yards rushing and 137.3 total yards after halftime.
The Lobos’ overcame a 17-10 halftime deficit to notch their first win in 4tries this season when trailing after 2 quarters…UNM shut the door on its24-17 3rd quarter lead, however, winning for the 17th time in its last 18games when leading after 3 quarters…the only loss in that span was inthis year’s opener vs. Washington State (14-7 lead)…New Mexico has alsowon 9 straight and is 15-1 since 2001 when it scores first.
UNM finished the game +6 in the turnover battle, recording 2 interceptionsand recovering 4 fumbles…UNM scored 17 points off the Rebelturnovers…the 4 fumbles lost are the most by a Lobo opponent since SanDiego State also had 4 in the Lobos’ 24-21 road victory in 1999…the 6turnovers ties for the most turnovers by a UNM opponent, under RockyLong…the Aztecs gave the ball away 6 times in the Lobos’ 30-7 road winlast year…the Lobos, meanwhile, did not have any miscues for the firsttime this season…the last time UNM did not turn the ball over was in a24-12 win over Air Force last year…New Mexico is 27-9 under Rocky Longwhen committing fewer turnovers than its opponents and has won 10 of itslast 11 when winning the turnover battle.
Redshirt freshman WR Marcus Smith’s 65-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter wasthe longest rush by New Mexico in 12 games (Adrian Byrd at Utah – 78 yards)and the longest touchdown run since 3rd string QB Justin Millea went 73yards for a score in the third quarter at UNLV in 2002…Smith was astandout tailback at Morse High School in San Diego before moving toreceiver midway through the 2003 season.
Junior cornerback Gabriel Fulbright recorded a pair of interceptions, thesecond multiple INT game of his career…Fulbright stepped in front ofRebel WR Earvin Johnson for his first pick on the first UNLV drive of thegame, which set up the Lobos’ opening touchdown…he later grabbed a passintended for Johnson in the endzone…Fulbright had a career-high 3interceptions in a 30-7 UNM victory at San Diego State last year…four ofhis 7 career INTs have come in the endzone.
Senior wide receiver Anthony Carter’s 34-yard TD reception was the first ofhis career and just his 3rd catch of the year…Carter’s reception was thelongest of the season by a Lobo wide receiver, other than HankBaskett…Carter’s 9-yard grab in the first quarter of the season-openervs. Washington State was the previous long.
Sophomore quarterback Kole McKamey’s TD pass to Anthony Carter was thefirst passing score for the Lobos in 5 games when McKamey hit Hank Baskettwith a 7-yard pass against Texas Tech…McKamey had his best game sinceleading the Lobos over the Red Raiders
Junior tailback DonTrell Moore notched his 3rd 100-yard game of the seasonand 16th of his career to tie Winslow Oliver for the most in UNMhistory…Moore finished with 141 yards on 26 carries…his 1st quartertouchdown was his first since scoring from 61 yards out in the 3rd quarterof the Lobos’ season-opener vs. Washington State…Moore had 21 TD lastyear, one off the national lead…he now has 3,191 rushing yards and 34touchdowns in his career.
Senior safety Josh Bazinet notched his Mountain West Conference-leading 4thfumble recovery this season on a UNLV muffed punt to set up a UNM fieldgoal in the 2nd quarter…Bazinet now has 6 fumble recoveries over the past2 years.
Senior kicker Wes Zunker had a string of 5 straight field goals snappedwhen his 3rd quarter kick was blocked…Zunker made a nice play, however,to prevent the Rebels from advancing the loose ball…UNLV was forced topunt on its ensuing possession…Zunker is now 6-9 on the year on fieldgoals…he also set two more kickoffs into the endzone, bring his seasontouchback totals up to a career-high 8.
UNM junior punter Tyler Gaus punted 8 times for a 41.6-yardaverage…although he had his second kick blocked, Gaus dropped four ballsinside the 20, including 2 inside the 10-yard line.
Earvin Johnson’s 47-yard TD reception was the longest catch against theLobos in 12 games.
New Mexico had a season-high 11 penalties for 101 yards.