Staff Report
The Lobos once again failed to put together two productive halves of football Saturday and fell to No. 24 Washington State 23-13. The loss dropped UNM's record to 1-3.
"Washington State is a great football team," UNM head coach Rocky Long said in a news release. "They're great on offense and defense, and scary on special teams with the weapons they have."
UNM took the lead 13-12 heading into halftime after quarterback Casey Kelly hit Dwight Counter for a 50-yard score down the right sideline at the end of the second quarter.
Kelly accounted for the Lobos' other touchdown earlier that same quarter, catching a 21-yard touchdown pass off a trick play from receiver Terrence Thomas.
Kicker Wes Zunker's extra point was blocked following the first touchdown.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The Cougars didn't score in the second half until the end of the third quarter, when quarterback Matt Kegel scored on a one-yard keeper. It was the first time in five possessions inside UNM's red zone that the Cougars were able to push the ball past the goal line.
"New Mexico's defense plays outstanding football," WSU head coach Bill Doba said. "Offensively they really keep you off balance with the screens and the throw back to the quarterback. We are lucky to win and we are happy to win it."
WSU kicker Drew Dunning set a school record by making five field goals in the game. He hit from 37, 36, 23, 21 and 49 yards.
UNM's red-zone defense was helped by Cougar penalties. WSU finished with 12 penalties for 118 yards, including some unsportsmanlike conduct calls after sacking Kelly.
"We still have way too many penalties," Doba said. "We had a couple of celebration penalties and those are selfish. We can't do those things. Our guys know better than that."
Despite strong play by the defense, the Lobos gave an entire half to WSU. They were shut out in the first half of each of their last two games against Texas Tech and BYU, and were blanked again in the second half against Washington State.
Long was unhappy by the Lobo offense's lack of productivity.
"I thought we were going to be able to move the ball much better," he said. "We run the option more depending on the defense we're playing against. They were a very good defensive team today."
The Cougar defense limited Lobo rushers DonTrell Moore and D.D. Cox to 26 yards and 13 yards on the ground, respectively.
Kelly finished with 214 yards, including one pass for a touchdown. He completed 16 of 32 passing attempts.
Receiver Adrian Boyd caught eight of Kelly's passes for 100 yards.
WSU's Kegel, despite ineffectiveness in the red zone, finished with better numbers: 29 of 42 for 346 yards and no interceptions.
"He's a talented athlete that is just trying to do what's best for his team - just like I am doing for my defense," Lobo left end D.J. Renteria said of Kegel. "He came out and moved the ball and made plays."
UNM is now 1-3 for the fifth time in the last six years.
This weekend the Lobos will play host to NMSU. The Aggies are coming off a 28-16 loss to Oregon State University. Kickoff will be Saturday at 6 p.m. at University Stadium.
