Utah Utes @ New Mexico Lobos Football Recap

Utah 56, New Mexico 14

The Utah Utes continued their ascent up the national polls with a week three shellacking of the New Mexico Lobos, 56-14.

The lowly Lobos, coming off a one-win 2009 season, were quick to fall into a hole and slow to begin the climb out. They didn’t score their first offensive touchdown until 3:16 was left in the third quarter, at which point they were already down by a score of 42-7. 

New Mexico’s second-string quarterback started this game, but Brad Gruner didn’t make it through the first half before leaving with injuries to his back and ribs. His replacement, Tarean Austin, did manage to lead the Lobos in rushing.

The Utes, on the other hand, have the rare privilege of having two quarterbacks with substantial starting experience. They once again sat down Jordan Wynn, who has not yet shaken off the thumb injury he suffered earlier in the season. Wynn’s replacement did not disappoint, to say the least. 

Utah quarterback Terrance Cain set a Utah record with his 87-percent completion rate, completing 20 of 23 passes for 248 yards and three scores. He also ran in a touchdown from 12 yards out. With production like this, the Utes can ease Wynn back into the lineup when he is fully healed - that is, if they decide to send Cain back to the bench after this performance. Cain has been quite solid in his first two starts since week eight of last year. 

There are several quirks particular to Utah football that are combining to form a pattern: The Utes once again committed more penalties for more yards and held the ball for less time than their opponent. They also lost three turnovers, while the Lobos lost only one. Yet, the Utes still dominated every facet of the game from start to finish. 

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Utah’s big-play ability must be credited with much of this pattern. Among their eight touchdowns Saturday night, the Utes had a 75-yard pass, a 73-yard punt return, a 36-yard interception return, a 33-yard pass, and a 24-yard run, all for touchdowns. The punt return, by Shaky Smithson, was his second punt return for a touchdown in as many games. 

As long as the Utes keep their defense fresh with conditioning and savvy rotations, this ‘quick-draw’ style of game-play shouldn’t haunt them against more skilled opponents. It is the dynamic open-field playmaking ability of this team, combined with its penchant for a delivery of big-time results, that has Utah fans excited for all the right reasons.

With the meat of their schedule five weeks away, the main thing the Utes have to do is stay healthy in order to keep winning games. This is a team that should only get better as the season goes along – though rusty and sloppy, the Utes were still able to win a game by 42 points. Imagine what would happen if Utah fired on all cylinders. That’s something other Mountain West Conference teams don’t want to think about as the 2010 season continues. 

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer