Nothing needed to be said.
The score - 36-28 UNM - served as the sole motivating purpose for the Lobo football team's defense when it took the field with 1:27 left in the fourth quarter.
"Every single guy knew that the game was on the defense's shoulders," linebacker Zach Arnett said. "We had to go out there and stop them. We couldn't let them score a touchdown."
And that's exactly what they did, stifling Arizona on its last possession and preserving a Lobo victory.
Considering Arizona came into Saturday's game averaging 55.5 points per game, UNM's defense doused the Wildcats' high-octane train, ultimately derailing it by forcing five turnovers - three fumbles and two interceptions - and limiting Arizona to 388 yards of total offense.
"Obviously, (388 yards) is more than our goal," Arnett said. "But we made enough plays on defense tonight to win the game."
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And really, coming in 0-2, that's all that really matters - getting a win.
"It's nice to win a game," head coach Rocky Long said. "Last week, I told (our guys) tough people survive and the other kind don't."
Indeed, Saturday's win was all about toughness: Much of the Lobos' success was dictated by what happened in the trenches.
The offensive line opened up holes for tailback Rodney Ferguson. UNM rode Ferguson to the finish line, as the senior galloped for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Ferguson also threw for a touchdown to quarterback Donovan Porterie.
After the Lobos went three-and-out on their opening possession of the game, Arizona took its first possession 69 yards in six plays, capping it with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat quarterback Willie Tuitama to wide receiver Mike Thomas. Thomas turned what should have been a minimal gain into a 43-yard touchdown due to poor Lobo tackling.
On the Lobos' ensuing possession, UNM was driving when Porterie threw an interception at the Arizona 31 yard line.
But two plays after Porterie's interception, Tuitama tossed defensive lineman Brett Kennedy a gift. Kennedy, who was in the game for the first time in his career, picked off Tuitama and rumbled, bumbled and stumbled down to the Arizona 11.
"We ran a twist stunt," Long said. "When he comes around on the twist, he's supposed to look for the screen, but I bet you he never thought they were going to throw it to him."
Long took a playful jab at his lineman.
"The best part was, he caught it," Long said, laughing. "Now obviously, he's never run with the ball, 'cause if he would have stayed to the outside, he would have scored."
UNM kicker James Aho made it 7-3 with a 24-yard field goal. Aho, who is 7-for-7 on the year, tied a school record, booting five field goals against the Wildcats.
"There's a tradition around here among kickers," Long said. "We've been lucky. Ever since I've been here, we've had good kickers. And when one leaves, someone else steps in and steps up."
UNM stopped Arizona on its next possession. The Lobos' offense set the tone on their next possession, driving 77 yards and chewing 3:06 off the clock.
Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin decided to sprinkle in a hint of razzle-dazzle. Noticing Arizona's defense was a bit overzealous in chasing the screens and running plays the Lobos were calling, Baldwin decided to run a misdirection play.
Porterie pitched the ball to Ferguson; Ferguson ran and pulled close to the right sideline, slinging a spiral back to Porterie. Porterie scampered 25 yards in for the score. A PAT made it 10-7 Lobos with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.
"I was just hoping it'd work," Ferguson said with a smile. "Usually they cover it, but I was just reading it, and when I saw it open, I threw it. It was a great call by Coach Baldwin."
On Arizona's next possession, the Wildcats, sensing the tide turning, decided to gamble when they chose to make a direct snap on a punt play. The 'Cats got the first down. But on the first play after the fake punt, Arnett sacked Tuitama. Tuitama coughed up the ball, setting up the Lobos at Arizona's 23.
Aho hammered home another field goal, giving UNM a 13-7 advantage.
Arizona then drove down the field to go up 14-13 after Tuitama's pass was hauled in by Delashaun Dean.
Much like last year's game, UNM responded by scoring before the half, this time off Ferguson barreling in from 25 yards out to make it 20-14.
At the start of the second half, the Lobos' defense forced a fumble. Lobo cornerback Glover Quin picked it up at U of A's 39 and dove into the end zone, but the officials marked him out at the 10 yard line.
Ferguson scored his second touchdown on the day, stretching the ball across the goal line. The ruling was reviewed but upheld, making it 27-14 Lobos.
After a field goal by Aho made it 33-21 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Lobos' defense knew they'd have to endure one last hurrah from Arizona's explosive offense.
UNM looked to pull away after extending its lead to 36-21 off a 46-yard field goal from Aho with 5:58 remaining.
But the Wildcats closed the gap to 36-28 after Tuitama threw a 28-yard strike to Wildcat wideout Juron Criner.
Arizona would get one last crack at it with 1:27 left, but the Lobos' defense stiffened, forcing the Wildcats to turn it over on downs.
"We have a lot of room to improve," Arnett said. "We have a tough schedule still coming up. So, we're going to need to get that done this week in practice."
