by Daniel S. Archuleta
Daily Lobo
The Lobos' defense made two huge stops in the last minute of Monday's game to squeak out a 24-22 victory over the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
The Lobos led the Runnin' Rebels 24-16 with 1:31 left on the clock, when UNLV quarterback Shane Steichen converted a fourth-and-goal with a touchdown pass to receiver Donell Wheaton.
The Lobos shut down the ensuing two-point conversion to keep a two-point lead. Steichen flipped a shovel pass to running back Erick Jackson who was stuffed at the goal line by Aleem Harris.
After UNLV recovered the following onside kick, the Lobos looked as if they had no idea what had just happened. UNLV's offense took the field with a minute and a half to work with at the Lobos' 48-yard line.
Lobo Cornerback Gabriel Fulbright told the defense it was time for a big play, and he delivered.
"I was like, "Man we got to do something,'" he said. "Coach called a good play, I got a good sink, then I got the pick."
UNM quarterback Kole McKamey ran out the clock after the interception to seal the game.
McKamey had his best game at quarterback as a Lobo. He threw 20 completions and 284 yards, both career highs. McKamey also threw two touchdowns.
McKamey said the Lobos' performance after their 17-point lead led to UNLV's comeback.
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"I think the key was a lack of focus," he said. "We had a warm fuzzy feeling when we were up 17-0, and they came right back."
On the receiving end of six of McKamey's completions was receiver Hank Baskett. Baskett caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from McKamey on the Lobos' second drive of the game. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Baskett made an almost impossible 48-yard catch between two defenders.
Baskett said he was happy with the win, but he also noticed the team's lack of focus.
"The team is disappointed because we didn't finish out the game like we were supposed to," he said. "We got satisfied with ourselves and we got caught."
Baskett finished the game with six catches for 132 yards and one touchdown.
It had been seven months to the day that running back DonTrell Moore had major surgery to repair his knee. It didn't seem to slow him down a bit.
Moore only rushed for 39 yards on 16 carries, but he caught three passes for 64 yards including a 10-yard touchdown. Moore came through when the Lobos needed him the most.
On a third-and-17, Moore took a shovel pass from McKamey and scampered 17 yards for the first down.
In the fourth quarter, he converted a third-and-19 on another shovel pass from McKamey, running for 37 yards after the catch.
Moore said he was just excited to be playing.
"It felt good to get back in there," he said. "This stadium is like my home."
Head coach Rocky Long said he will take any win any way.
"I told myself when I became a head coach I didn't care how it happened as long as we win," he said. "I'm a little disappointed we didn't play better, but guess what? We get the W. They get the L."
