True UNM fans were not surprised - however the Lobo backfield shocked Texas State-San Marcos and almost everyone else, Saturday.
Although the Lobos were picked second in the Mountain West Conference in Sporting News, the UNM backfield ranked sixth out of the eight teams.
The Lobos have never been known as a scoring threat, however if the demolition of the Bobcats is any indication, the UNM offense will be a menace in the MWC this season.
"We can't worry about the ratings," tailback DonTrell Moore said. "All we have to do is work hard and make ourselves the best possible teammates for our team. That's all we can worry about."
Quarterback Casey Kelly was nearly perfect in the first half, completing eight of nine passes, while Moore matched his personal record of last season in the first 15:05, scoring three rushing touchdowns.
"Our offense played good right from the start," head coach Rocky Long said. "I thought Casey really threw the ball well, and I thought our receivers caught the ball well."
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Kelly completed 12 of 16 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns for the night.
As time was running out in the first half, Kelly shot a 25-yard pass downfield to tight end Mike Augustyniak for a first down.
Two plays later, Moore rushed 14 yards for the score.
Moore averaged 5.4 yards on 20 carries.
The blowout provided an opportunity for second and third-string players to get their feet wet early in the season.
"We played every player that wasn't redshirting and they played more than one or two plays," Long said. "That helps the team spirit."
The backfield success went deeper than the starters. Second and third string quarterbacks and running backs kept the momentum in the Lobos' favor.
Sophomore quarterback Kole McKamey replaced Kelly and played almost the entire second half. McKamey was good for two of six passes, with one interception. He said he never dreamed he would have such a performance in the season opener.
"I hoped it would be like this," McKamey said. "I was a little nervous because I knew I was going to get in some series. But I was a lot more anxious than I was nervous."
Tali Ena, a junior transfer also got in at quarterback and threw a 20-yard completion to Hank Baskett on his only attempt of the game.
Finally, Lobo fans were able to see the highly-touted running back transfer from Oklahoma State, D.D. Cox in action.
"That's the first time I've really seen him in live action except for in scrimmages against ourselves," Long said. "It was good to get him in there and it was good that he got to carry the ball that much."
Cox was the second leading rusher of the game with 77 yards on 17 carries, including a touchdown.
Moore is happy to be backed up by Cox, as it will take some pressure and injury risk off himself.
"It's just a start for him," Moore said. "We have a lot of weapons and he will be a viable weapon for our team."
