Lobos losing streak grows to 11 games

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Momentum swinging miscues are a staple of the 2009 New Mexico Lobo football team, and Saturday's game against UNLV was no different.

Down only seven in the fourth quarter, a harmless looking punt ricocheted off the foot of Lobo Bryant Williams and into the willing hands of a Rebel defender.

"It took a lot of air out of us," Interim Head Coach George Barlow said. "It took a lot of air out of me, but I tried to stay as upbeat as I could."

The Rebels turned that fumble into a comfortable 14 point cushion and eventually a 17 point win.

The Lobos fall to 0-7 on the season, and 0-3 in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos have lost 11 straight going back to last season.

New Mexico was without the services of first year Head Coach Mike Locksley because he was still serving a 10 day suspension for his role in an altercation with receiver's coach J.B. Gerald.

The game didn't start well for the Lobos as UNLV walked into the end zone on their first two possessions to take a quick 14-0 lead.

The Lobos would respond with a nice long drive, culminating with a 44 yard James Aho field goal.

It looked like New Mexico had finally grabbed the momentum in the second quarter following a UNLV field goal miss. However, a promising drive was killed when Lobo running back Kasey Carrier lost three yards on a third-and-one in Rebel territory.

Following that, the Rebels marched down the field for an easy touchdown before the half.

In the third quarter, the Lobo offense got hot. Senior quarterback Donovan Porterie found a rhythm and wide receiver Darrell Jones in the end zone on the opening drive of the second half.

UNLV tacked on a field goal in third, but the New Mexico defense appeared to have stiffened.

Porterie tossed another beautiful touchdown early in the fourth to tight end Lucas Reed to cut the deficit to a mere seven points.

The Lobos defense produced a rare three-and-out on the next Rebel possession, but then UNM committed their first turnover of the night.

Williams muffed that crucial punt, giving UNLV the ball inside the red zone. The Cherry and Silver would never recover.

The Lobos will travel to San Diego next week to take on the San Diego State Aztecs and their former Head Coach Rocky Long who now serves as the Aztecs' defensive coordinator.