Recap: New Mexico vs. Utah
Sports Network | November 01, 2008
Albuquerque, NM (Sports Network) - Brian Johnson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brent Casteel in the third quarter, as 10th-ranked Utah remained unbeaten with a tight 13-10 win over New Mexico in Mountain West Conference action.
Louie Sakoda hit a pair of field goals for the Utes (9-0, 5-0 MWC), who are back in the top-10 for the first time since 2004 and remain in the Bowl Championship Series hunt.
Johnson completed 23-of-32 passes for 195 yards and was picked off once, while Matt Asiata gained 80 yards on 12 carries.
Brad Gruner connected on 16-of-25 passes for 170 yards for the Lobos (4-6, 2-4), losers of their last two games. He also rushed for 57 yards, and Rodney Ferguson scored New Mexico's lone touchdown, a 10-yard run at the end of the third quarter.
After Ferguson's 10-yard run pulled the Lobos within a field goal, Johnson was picked off, but New Mexico failed to move the ball deep in its own territory and punted.
The Lobos got the ball back again with nearly seven minutes left, but Gruner threw incomplete on fourth down after leading his team to midfield.
New Mexico had one final possession, with nearly two minutes remaining, moving again to near midfield, but Utah's defense stiffened.
Sakoda kicked a 43-yard field goal with 5:54 left in the first quarter, but James Aho booted a 38-yard field goal with 5:35 remaining in the second.
Sakoda nailed a 38-yarder at the halftime gun and the Utes then used razzle- dazzle for their lone TD with 3:15 left in the third. Johnson threw a short pass to Jereme Brooks, who lateraled to Casteel for the seven-yard TD.
Utah hosts TCU Thursday night, while New Mexico's next contest is next Saturday at UNLV...Freddie Brown had seven receptions for 69 yards for Utah.
