Staff Report
Two big factors led to the Lobos' 30-7 win at San Diego State on Saturday: Aztec turnovers and DonTrell Moore.
Moore scored two touchdowns from two and three yards out. In all, he ran for 89 yards on 15 carries.
Three of the Aztec's turnovers accounted for 17 Lobo points.
The Lobo rush defense once again held strong, allowing only 39 yards on the ground. The UNM defense also intercepted Aztec quarterback Adam Hall four times.
Gabriel Fulbright led the defense with three interceptions.
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But senior safety Brandon Ratcliff was the first to intercept Hall. In the first quarter, Ratcliff returned the ball 14 yards to the Aztec 19-yard line, which set up Moore's first touchdown to put the Lobos up 7-0.
In the second quarter, sophomore receiver Hank Baskett blocked a punt that senior linebacker Billy Strother returned 14 yards for a touchdown. The score gave the Lobos a 14-point advantage.
The UNM defense forced a total of six turnovers including five interceptions and a fumble.
Junior linebacker Nick Speegle had an interception in the third quarter, that he returned 23 yards. The play set up Wes Zunker's 32-yard field goal, making the score 27-7.
Zunker contributed with three field goals. He hit from 48, 32 and 21 yards out.
For the Aztecs, Hall finished the game with 291 yards. Between three quarterbacks, SDSU threw for a total of 354 yards.
UNM mixed up its coverage throughout the game, but couldn't stop the Aztec receivers from making catches.
Despite giving up big yardage through the air, UNM's defense was tough in the red zone. Two of Hall's interceptions were on the Lobo goal line.
SDSU's lone touchdown came in the second quarter when Lynell Hamilton ran one yard into the end zone.
The win improves UNM's record to 4-3 overall. The Lobos are 1-1 in the Mountain West Conference play. The Lobos lost to BYU five weeks ago. UNM is now on a three-game winning streak.
The Lobos have never lost under head coach Rocky Long after a bye week.
San Diego State is 3-5 overall, 0-3 in MWC play.
UNM will continue its road swing Saturday in Salt Lake City, where it will take on the Utah Utes at 1 p.m.
The Utes lead the MWC with a record of 3-0. They are 6-1 overall. UNM is tied for fourth place with Wyoming.
