Wyoming Beats New Mexico 31-10

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Quarterback Brett Smith can count on a lot of throws in Wyoming's version of the spread offense, but his favorite play doesn't involve passing the ball.

He loves to take the ball in the shotgun formation and run up the field, through the heart of opposing defenses.

On Saturday, the play resulted in Smith scoring a 69-yard touchdown against New Mexico.

"It was blocked perfectly, and we've worked on it so many times (in practice) that I knew we would really get a big gain, a touchdown, especially with the look that we got," he said. "It's my favorite play in the book."

Smith also had a 3-yard TD run and passed for another score as he led Wyoming past New Mexico 31-10.

The Cowboys (7-3, 4-1 Mountain West) became bowl eligible for the second time under third-year coach Dave Christensen.

Smith, who entered the game the front-runner among NCAA freshman quarterbacks in total offense, rushed 12 times for 140 yards, which was his first 100 yard game of his short career.

He also completed 23 of 38 passes for 212 yards and a 26-yard TD pass on a blustery day when wind chills hovered around 10 degrees.

His 352 total yards marked the fifth time Smith has gained more than 300 yards of total offense this season.

The game occurred three days after New Mexico (1-10, 1-5) hired former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie as its new head coach.

Davie replaced Mike Locksley, who was fired midseason after a nearly three-year tenure that was mostly marked by losses and off-field problems.

Davie witnessed an offense that had trouble moving the ball and was hampered by penalties. Furthermore, New Mexico's defense allowed 462 yards of offense to Wyoming.

Interim coach George Barlow said penalties have been a problem this season for the Lobos and they continued against Wyoming. New Mexico was penalized nine times for 54 yards, including five false start and two delay of game penalties by the offense.

"The last three weeks they have definitely matured and continued to play with the effort we need, but we still need to continue to play with more discipline in crucial situations," Barlow said.

B.R. Holbrook threw for 162 yards and rushed for a touchdown to lead New Mexico, which saw its losing streak on the road extended to 21 games. The Lobos haven't won outside of New Mexico since Oct. 20, 2007, when they won at San Diego State.

Wyoming scored first when Smith tossed a short pass in the right flat near the Lobos' 20-yard line to Brandon Miller, who scampered across the middle of the field into the end zone.

New Mexico grabbed a 10-7 lead on a 5-yard run by Holbrook and a 29-yard field goal by James Aho in the second quarter.

Wyoming took the lead for good when Alvester Alexander, who contributed 93 yards rushing for the Cowboys, scored on a 3-yard run just before halftime.

A 34-yard field goal by Wyoming's Daniel Sullivan and Smith's two TD runs were the only scoring in the second half. New Mexico's offense gained just four first downs and converted just one third down in the second half.

Wyoming linebacker Brian Hendricks, who had six tackles and a pass breakup, said the Cowboys didn't take New Mexico lightly despite its record.

"We knew they were going to give us a fight," Hendricks said. "We didn't overlook this team."