Ecstatic Lobos celebrate first win

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The New Mexico Lobos won't go winless in 2009. Saturday's 29-27 comeback win over the Colorado State Rams gave the Cherry and Silver their first victory under first year Head Coach Mike Locksley.

"We've waited a long time to get this win. We've come close, and as I've said before there are no moral victories," Locksley said. "I'm hoping this is the first victory of a long career as a head coach."

Despite a 1-10 record, fans and players raucously celebrated on the field after the game.

While jubilant Lobos and fans embraced on the field, senior lineman Eric Cook was headed to the stands. Cook ran down to the North end zone to jump into the Red Menace's section for the season's first 'Lobo Leap.'

Saturday's game was the last for a group of 17 seniors, and senior quarterback Donovan Porterie said it was a special win.

"It ranks pretty high considering the type of season we've had thus far," Porterie "It's somewhere around the bowl victory…It was just a very emotional night for us."

But before the celebration, the Lobos found themselves where they were last week, down late and needing to score.

Down 27-26 with 1:32 left, Porterie led the Lobo offense on a nine play, 35 yard drive to put the team in position for the win.

Then it was up to kicker James Aho who missed three kicks last week and also had one blocked. The snap was good, the hold was perfect and Aho drilled the 27 yard kick.

"Last week was a rough week. Coach Locks supported me all through this last week and had me going strong all week, and it paid off," Aho said. "After it went in, I was trying to find a way to avoid the big [offensive] lineman ambushing me."

The Lobo offensive scheme finally lived up to its high powered philosophy against the Rams, piling up 467 total yards and 29 points.

"This is a glimpse of what it's like when we are executing and hitting on all cylinders," Locksley said. "It's what we expect."

Also providing a glimpse was true freshman running back Demond Dennis, who rushed for 133 yards on a mere seven carries.

"We are anticipating on [being a high powered offense] in the next couple of years, we just have to go out there and get better at it," Dennis said.

The Lobos will play No. 4 TCU next Saturday in their final game of the season. TCU is expected to represent the Mountain Wet Conference in a BCS bowl game.