by Phil Parker
Daily Lobo
Early in the fourth quarter of a 24-12 Lobo win over Air Force, sophomore running back DonTrell Moore rushed for 14 yards past a slew of Falcon defenders and into UNM's record books.
Moore finished the game with 1,285 rushing yards this season - a new school record.
The Lobos' rushing attack dominated the Falcons, with Moore continuing to break big runs throughout the game. His two touchdowns gave him 20 on the season, the most for a rusher in all of Division I football.
Finishing with 188 yards, it was Moore's eighth 100-yard rushing game this season and the seventh in which he's scored more than one touchdown.
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After the game, Lobo head coach Rocky Long described the tailback as "pretty amazing."
Moore, on the other hand, spread the credit to where he felt it was most due.
"Any time you get a record like that, the offensive line deserves the credit," he said. "It's a blessing to have those guys in front of me and to run behind them."
Offensive tackle Jason Lenzmeier was just as complimentary.
"He ran hard," Lenzmeier said. "I saw a couple runs on the jumbo-tron where I thought, 'Did he just do that?' He makes guys miss, and that makes our job easier."
Senior tackle Justin Colburn said setting the season rushing record is a great accomplishment for Moore.
"We're proud of him," Colburn said. "It is big for us to break that record. It's a direct reflection on how the offensive line is playing. He's an outstanding back, but without an offensive line you're not going to run."
Moore carried a career-high 36 times, keeping the ball in UNM's hands and away from Air Force's lauded rushing attack. The Lobos' time-of-possession was 35:13, compared to 24:47 for the Falcons.
Quarterback Casey Kelly was also effective in the Lobos' ground game. He ran 11 times for 51 yards, and also completed five of 10 passes for 90 yards including a touchdown pass to Adrian Boyd.
When the Falcons did have the ball, they were shut down like they haven't been all year. The UNM defense held them to season lows in points, rushing yards, and total offense. Coming into the game, Air Force averaged more than 300 yards rushing per game. Against the Lobos, they managed just 158.
Senior linebacker Daniel Gawronski said he was looking forward to facing Air Force's running attack.
"They're third in the nation in rushing offense, and we're fourth in rushing defense," he said. "Something had to give somewhere, and we weren't going to budge."
Gawronski went on to say that each defensive team member successfully completed his assignment.
"The defensive line did a great job, the corners did a great job, the safeties, everybody," he said. "We all did what we were supposed to do in the system."
The win was essential for the Lobos, who now head to Wyoming knowing a win will guarantee them a game in the postseason.
"If we win one more game we're going bowling," Long said.
