Nov 9, 2002
By PETE HERRERA
AP Sports Writer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Casey Kelly and DonTrell Moore scored touchdowns and New Mexico's defense slowed one of the nation's best passing attacks in a 15-8 win over San Diego State on Saturday.
The win keeps New Mexico (5-5, 3-1 Mountain West) in contention for a bowl bid. The loss eliminated San Diego State (3-7, 3-2 MWC) from postseason eligibility.
San Diego State came into the game averaging 334 yards passing - fifth best nationally - and with the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 receivers in J.R. Tolver and Kassim Osgood.
They weren't a factor against a blitzing Lobo defense that blocked a punt, recovered a fumble, had an interception and kept San Diego State quarterback Adam Hall on the run all game.
Hall, uncomfortable trying to throw in a stiff wind that at times reached 40 mph, completed 18 of 35 passes for 153 yards. Tolver, averaging nine catches for an NCAA-best 138 yards a game, caught just four passes for 37 yards. Osgood had four catches for 71 yards, well below his average of 118 yards a game.
Billy Strother blocked a punt to set up a 13-yard TD run by Kelly in the first quarter. Brandon Ratcliff recovered a fumble by Hall at the New Mexico 36 late in the third quarter, leading to Moore's 1-yard TD that erased an 8-7 Aztecs lead.
Strother and Ratcliff hit Hall in the San Diego State end zone for the safety with 3:22 left to clinch the win. The hit separated Hall from the ball, which rolled out of the back of the end zone.
But the Aztecs still had a final shot. A 39-yard pass from Hall to Osgood got San Diego State to the New Mexico 13, but on fourth-and-three, Strother knocked down Hall's pass.
San Diego State's scoring came on a pair of field goals of 46 and 25 yards by Tommy Kirovski and a safety, all in the first half.
New Mexico's ability to shut down the Aztecs' passing game was surprising because the Lobos ranked 102nd nationally against the pass, giving up an average of 257 yards a game.