The Univeristy of Wyoming got more than it bargained for as freshman running back DonTrell Moore scored five of the Lobos' seven touchdowns in a 49-20 beating of the Cowboys Saturday.
"DonTrell played very well," Head coach Rocky Long said. "As he has the last three or four weeks. What he did better today, is he didn't turn the ball over."
Moore got UNM on the scoreboard less than four minutes into the game when he ran into the endzone from one yard out, capping a dominating seven-play, 80-yard drive to start the game for the Lobos.
Moore was not done for the quarter as he ran in from seven yards out to give UNM a 14-0 lead with 2:55 remaining in the opening frame. The Lobos began at the Cowboys' seven-yard line after an interception by D.J. Renteria.
Wyoming was able to keep the game close, scoring at the end of the first quarter to cut the lead to 14-7. Moore, however, was not satisfied with his two touchdowns. This time, he displayed his receiving abilities, catching a nine-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Casey Kelly on a play action pass. Moore went untouched as he scampered into the endzone to put UNM back up by 14 points, 21-7.
The Lobos seemed poised to take control of the game, but the Cowboys refused to give up and once again cut the lead in half scoring a touchdown when quarterback Casey Bramlet hooked up with receiver Scottie Vines in the end zone with just 23 seconds remaining in the first half.
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In the second half, Moore made sure that there would be no more Cowboy comebacks.
After a quick three and out by Wyoming, UNM looked to get back to its scoring ways. Lobo wide receiver Dwight Counter returned the ensuing punt 45 yards all the way to the Cowboys 18 yard line. UNM made quick work of the Wyoming defense as Moore struck once again, this time from the air, as he caught a nice touch pass from Kelly over a Cowboy defender in the back corner of the endzone.
That touchdown put the Lobos up 28-14 and then it was smooth sailing for UNM.
"We know we had a lot to do with DonTrell's performance and anytime one of our teamates can shine, we feel good about that," sophomore lineman Claude Terrell said.
Moore did not actually score the Lobos' next touchdown, but he did have a hand in it. Kelly handed off to Moore who looked to run but then pitched the ball back to Kelly who went up top over the defense to Counter who made a great grab in the end zone.
Although Moore was having a career day, he still had some business to take care of. He broke the 1000-yard mark for rushing on the season in the third quarter but he had other goals on his mind.
Late in the third quarter, Moore made his most spectacular run of the day when he took a pitch to the left and then cut back to middle eluding several tacklers and finally busted into the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown run. It was the fifth and final score of his best college performance.
"In high school, I had four touchdowns in a game but this is totally different level," Moore said. "High school doesn't really compare to the caliber of play and the overall feeling in this locker room."
That play also had special meaning as Moore became the all-time leading single-season freshman runner on that play.
"I wanted it to be a special day," Moore said. "I wanted to be an asset to the seniors on the team and the whole Lobo organization."
He surpassed Winslow Oliver's previous freshman record of 1,063 rushing yards in 1992.
Moore finished with 176 yards on 28 carries and three running touchdowns. He also added two catches, both of which were touchdowns for 21 yards. His season's total running yards are now up to 1,117 yards for the season.
With the Lobos' automatic bid to a bowl game, Moore has an outside shot of breaking UNM's single-season rushing mark of 1,240 yards set by Mike Williams in 1976.
Moore's five touchdowns also tied a school record and his 15 scores on the season are only one short of Terrence Mathis' team record of 16 set in 1989.
"To see him (Moore) grow with each game and how he has developed all year has been amazing," Kelly said. "He's a great guy and a great player and I'm happy for him."
