Crazy Eights: New Mexico compounds CSU losing streak
Lobos defensive end Johnathan Rainey knocks CSU quarterback Grant Stucker out of the game. (University of New Mexico Lobos photos)
New Mexico kicker James Aho went from goat to hero Saturday night. His 27-yard field goal with 12 seconds left sailed through the uprights and gave the 1-10 Lobos their first win of the year, 29-27 over Colorado State. Last week, Aho missed three field goals and had another blocked in a near-upset of BYU.
It was another tough loss for the CSU Rams, who while having trouble with New Mexico’s offense, made key plays late in the game. CSU’s Nick Oppenneer returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown with 13:26 remaining to gain the lead, 27-23. After conceding a field goal on the following drive, the CSU defense again stepped up and stopped New Mexico on third down with a sack with just over four minutes to play.
But it wasn’t enough; Colorado State couldn’t run out the clock, and the same Lobos offense that had come up with big plays continued to do just that. Running back Kasey Carrier (how fitting) ran 22 yards to the CSU 11, setting up the winning kick.
Add that to runs of 28 and 50 yards in the fourth quarter and you have New Mexico’s best rushing game of the season, 270 yards total. Carrier rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries, and starter Desmond Dennis only needed seven attempts to gain 133 yards, along with a touchdown. Lobos quarterback Donovan Porterie also kept the offense potent, going 22-of-37 for 197 yards, two touchdowns and one interception passing.
Blame has to lie with the CSU offense, who left too many points on the field with ill-timed mistakes. Down only three points in the third quarter, Jon Eastman underthrew his receiver in the end zone, and New Mexico’s Frankie Baca caught the pass for a touchback. That may have changed the complexion of the game, but CSU could have put New Mexico away completely were it not for their second error in the red zone. Up 27-26 in the fourth quarter, running back John Mosure fumbled the ball at the New Mexico 5-yard line.
Mosure’s fumble also marred a career performance. The back ran tough for most of the game, plowing over defenders. Mosure carried 27 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns, running so well that CSU’s other feature running back, Leonard Mason, spent the game on the sidelines.
The Rams did have some success in their passing attack, even after starter Grant Stucker left the game midway through the second quarter. Stucker was hit hard in the air and landed awkwardly on his throwing shoulder. Eastman came in and completed 9 of 12 passes for 145 yards. Eastman also engineered the biggest offensive play of the night, a 33-yard touchdown pass to Lou Greenwood over the top of New Mexico’s safeties.
None of it matters, however, as the CSU losing streak grows to eight. Next week, the Rams will close out the 2009 season at home against rival Wyoming, in the battle for the Bronze Boot. We’ll see if the team can pull it together to finish strong, or if they’ll let this haymaker in a series of punches to the gut put them away for good.
