Despite being competitive in almost every game so far this season, UNM was dismantled by No. 22 Colorado State 58-20 in Fort Collins, Colorado on Saturday.
Rams running back Dee Hart ran for a career-high 230 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving). It’s the second straight year that a Colorado State tailback scored six touchdowns against UNM; former CSU halfback Kapri Bibbs did it last year.
CSU (10-1, 6-1 Mountain West) had no problems moving the ball at will, finishing with 698 total yards of offense. Senior quarterback Garrett Grayson completed 23 of 29 passes for 389 yards and three scores.
The win is the Rams’ ninth straight overall.
“It kind of caved in on us,” UNM head coach Bob Davie said. “I think the overall immaturity really showed, and it jumped up and bit us.”
UNM kick returner Ridge Jones didn’t do the team any favors with fumbles on the first and third kickoffs of the game. Those mishaps helped the Rams to a 20-0 lead in the second quarter.
The Lobos had four turnovers overall; the other two were interceptions thrown by quarterback Lamar Jordan. He finished with just 55 yards passing, completing just 3 of 11 attempts.
“I don’t know if we’re consistent enough throwing the ball. We left some throws out there,” Davie said. “(Jordan) played okay; he played like a redshirt freshman. I look at it like one step more of valuable experience.”
Jones fumbled on the opening kickoff, giving the Rams a short field at UNM’s 24-yard line. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins turned the turnover into six points when Grayson found him for a 7-yard score.
The Rams went up 14-0 on their next possession after a long 16-play, 86-yard drive capped by Hart’s 2-yard score. On the ensuing kickoff, Jones fumbled again and CSU recovered at UNM’s 31.
Three plays later, Hart was in the end zone again thanks to a 6-yard pass.
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“Obviously, they’re a pretty good team. If you give them a short field like that, of course they’re going to take advantage,” redshirt freshman linebacker Kimmie Carson said. “That’s how the game got away from us.”
UNM did respond with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended when Lamar Jordan ran for a 10-yard touchdown, cutting the Rams’ lead to just 20-7.
That was the closest UNM would get.
Hart scored the next two touchdowns to put the game out of reach. He scored on a 76-yard scamper, then caught a 20-yard pass from Grayson for a 34-7 lead.
CSU went into halftime up 37-7 thanks to a 32-yard field goal by Jared Roberts.
“We’re still learning. As difficult as it is, I think we have to show them why things happen,” Davie said. “I think this team will bounce back psychologically.”
Hart’s fifth and sixth touchdowns came on runs of 4 and 55 yards, respectively. Higgins caught his second touchdown pass in between those runs, a 28-yard pass. He finished with 167 yards on 10 catches and two touchdowns.
UNM (3-8, 1-6 Mountain West) ran for 301 yards on the night.
Redshirt freshman running back Romell Jordan earned his first career start against the Rams. He ran just six times for 32 yards and a score. Redshirt junior tailback Jhurell Pressley, who was hampered by an ankle injury, led the team with 109 rushing yards on seven touches. Sophomore halfback Teriyon Gipson was second with 86 yards on 13 attempts and a touchdown.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily News. He can be reached at sports @dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
