Sept. 20, 2008
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – David Johnson threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns as Tulsa christened its newly remodeled H.A. Chapman Stadium with a 56-14 victory over New Mexico Saturday.
Johnson, who entered the game as the nation’s leader in pass efficiency, completed 24 of 39 passes in a performance marred only by two interceptions.
Receivers Slick Shelley and Damaris Johnson each had two touchdown catches and exceeded 100 yards receiving. Tulsa finished with 606 yards total offense against a New Mexico defense that had been allowing just 305 per game.
Tulsa’s defense chipped in as well, as Roy Roberts returned an interception 41 yards for a score as Tulsa (3-0) limited New Mexico (1-3) to 316 yards of offense.
Johnson directed Tulsa to touchdowns on five of its six first-half possessions, with the only miscue being an interception in the end zone by the Lobos’ Glover Quin.
New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie was injured with 3:42 to play in the first half. Porterie had completed 11 of 13 passes for 92 yards with one interception.
Brad Gruner replaced Porterie and connected with Bryant Williams on a 21-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. New Mexico also scored on a 37-yard run by Rodney Ferguson, who gained 122 yards on 27 carries.