by Adrian Doerfler
Daily Lobo
The UNM football team came into Saturday's game with a little to gain and a lot to lose.
What they did was give a 58-0 beating to Sacramento State, a bowl subdivision team, at University Stadium.
Head coach Rocky Long said his team didn't have as much energy as it did in wins over New Mexico State and Arizona, but he was pleased that it still got the job done.
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"I don't think our team was quite as emotional as the last two weeks, but they came to play," he said. "They were the better team, and that's what happens when the better team plays good."
The 58 points is the most the Lobos have scored since they beat I-AA Texas State 72-8 in 2003.
Tailback Rodney Ferguson took advantage of dominant blocking from the offensive line and rushed for 129 yards. Ferguson found the end zone a career-high four times.
Quarterback Donovan Porterie also had a solid day. He threw for 229 yards and completed 19 of 26 passes with one touchdown in three quarters of work.
The Lobos, which lost to Sacramento State rival Portland State last year, didn't lose focus against a championship subdivision team this time around and will ride a three-game winning streak heading into the conference opener against BYU on Saturday at home.
This year's team used the Portland State loss as motivation,
Long said.
"Last year's team was very young, and this year's team has some maturity about them," he said. "I'm sure last year's loss to Portland State fueled the fire to come out and play well."
The UNM defense didn't disappoint either. It allowed only 104 total yards, including 27 passing yards. The Lobos didn't collect a sack, but they pressured quarterback Jason Smith all game. Smith left the game in the second quarter due to injury.
Despite the big win, the Lobos know they don't have time to
celebrate.
The BYU offense is better and faster than Sacramento State, and the Lobos are not taking them lightly, safety O.J. Swift said.
"We know they're coming in with a spread offense similar to New Mexico State and Arizona," he said. "Coach Long always tells us that teams are going to make plays, but we just need to limit the big plays that they make."
The Lobos are happy to have a three-game winning streak, but a win against BYU will be the ideal way to start conference play,
Ferguson said.
"It was a game to let us know where we need to be," he said. "It was a game to say we can win against a division I-AA team, but it's time to step it up for the big boys again."
BOX
Football vs. BYU
Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
University Stadium
