by Daniel S. Archuleta
Daily Lobo
Sweet redemption and late-game heroics marked the Lobos' win on Saturday night.
In front of the third-largest crowd to fill University Stadium, Wes Zunker cleared his mind and made a 43-yard field goal as time expired for the 27-24 win.
"I tried not to listen to anyone or think too much," Zunker said. "I had to take this one like just another kick."
The Lobos three-headed attack of Kole McKamey, Hank Baskett and DonTrell Moore provided most of the team's offense, especially through the passing game. Baskett and Moore accounted for all but two of the completed passes.
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The defense was led by Brandon Payne and Gabriel Fulbright who each had a key interception. The defense had several big stops, including a third-and-long stop with 1:47 left on the clock, giving the Lobos their final possession.
Head coach Rocky Long said he was proud of the way his team played.
"I think they played through a lot of adversity and with a lot of heart," he said.
The first half was an offensive showcase by both teams. The Lobos struck first after taking advantage of a Tech miscue when Nehemiah Glover fumbled a punt that Lobo wide receiver Marcus Smith recovered. Two plays later, McKamey found the end zone on a quarterback keeper to put the Lobos up 7-0 after Zunker's extra point was added.
Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie took his team 70 yards down the field on 13 plays and scored on a quarterback sneak that tied the score at seven.
After a Lobo punt, the Red Raiders capped another drive off with Taurean Henderson's 3-yard touchdown. Texas Tech took the lead, 14-7.
Tech and UNM traded turnovers starting with Fulbright's interception. Two plays later, Moore fumbled a pitch that was recovered by Tech.
On the next Lobo possession, fourth-and-three appeared to be just another down for the Lobos as McKamey put one up for Baskett to add to his growing list of amazing catches. After the 7-yard touchdown, the score was tied at 14-14.
McKamey scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on the next Lobo drive and put the Lobos up 21-14.
The pass-happy Cumbie, who threw 70 times completing 44 for 449 yards, found receiver Jarret Hicks for an 8-yard score right before the end of the half. The score was tied at 21-21 at the half.
Both offenses were quiet in the second half, with Tech held to only three points and UNM to six, which proved to be the difference. Tech kicker Alex Trlica had the chance for six Red Raider points but missed two field goals wide to the right. He did, however, connect for a 22-yard kick to give Tech the lead 24-21.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Zunker tied the game with a 44-yard kick. The next time Zunker was faced with a field goal, it would prove to be his biggest. After two huge runs by Moore, whose 76 yards for the game made him the Mountain West Conferences all-time leading rusher, and two big catches by Smith, the stage was set for UNM's victory.
Tech tried to ice Zunker by calling its last two timeouts with four seconds left, but Zunker stayed focused and nailed the kick for the win.
McKamey looked nothing like the three-pick quarterback who showed up last week. He showed signs of maturity and made good decisions.
"I had all week to think about last game, and I took the positive things from there and tried to build on them," he said.
McKamey finished 12-of-24 for 173 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns, the first of his career.
Baskett had six catches for 99 yards with one touchdown.
"It feels good," Baskett said of the win. "We played as a team, and that's all we needed."
