by Daniel S. Archuleta
Daily Lobo
The UNM football team lost a heartbreaker of a Homecoming game to Brigham Young University 27-24 on Saturday night at University Stadium.
The Lobos surrendered a 24-13 lead they held early in the fourth quarter.
UNM head coach Rocky Long took full responsibility for the loss.
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"I told them (players) that I knew they were disappointed and that we did a lousy job of coaching," he said. "So that's my fault."
The Lobos were driving down the field at the end of the third quarter and were looking to put the finishing touches on the Cougars. Six plays into the fourth quarter, Lobo quarterback Kole McKamey rushed for 14 yards and on his way to the turf, fumbled the ball at the Cougar 7-yard line.
McKamey said the loss was the most disappointing of his career.
"We had that game in our hands, and we let it go," he said. "I really don't know what to tell you."
Although he had the Lobos' only turnover, McKamey was also the team's leading offensive producer.
He finished the game 18-of-28 for 218 yards passing. He also rushed for 103 yards on 17 carries for one touchdown, leading the Lobos in rushing yards.
After the fumble, BYU had 93 yards in front of them and 11 points to make up.
UNM's defense was put to the test and it didn't have any of the right answers.
It only took the Cougars two offensive series to take the lead. The first was a 12-play 93-yard drive that lasted 5:40.
After a punt by Lobo kicker Tyler Gaus that rolled into the end zone, BYU went 80 yards in five plays in only 1:08.
The Cougars were able to stop the Lobos on the fourth down when McKamey's pass to tight end Logan Hall was deflected and fell to the ground.
Safety DeAndre Wright said the UNM defense made a critical mistake on the Cougars' last offensive drive.
"We lost focus. That's it," he said. "Everyone wasn't on the same page. I think we wanted to win, but I think that they wanted to win more."
Wright had one of the best games of his career. He had 10 tackles, with three of those being solo tackles, and a half of a sack on the night.
The Lobos' defense gave up a 464 total offensive yards.
UNM safety Tyson Ditmore had his first career interception when he picked off Cougar quarterback John Beck early in the third quarter.
Despite the interception, Beck was able to light up the Lobos' secondary. He finished the game 34-of-44 for 371 yards for three touchdowns and one interception.
Lobo wide receiver Hank Baskett had another 100-yard receiving game with 141 yards on 11 catches.
Baskett said the offense just wasn't able to mount a comeback.
"We were definitely moving the ball," he said. "I don't know why we didn't come out and do that in the second half. We can't keep coming out strong and not finish it off in the end."
