PHILLY_1982
10-21-2007, 12:21 AM
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/oct/20/NM/?lobozone-story-detail=1/
Rodney Ferguson scores TD with 15 seconds to play
By Richard Stevens
Saturday, October 20, 2007
SAN DIEGO -- The touchdown Rodney Ferguson could explain. He took the ball six yards out of the San Diego State endzone and bulled the ball in for the winning touchdown behind the Lobos massive offensive line. He scored with 15 seconds to play.
The general performance of the Lobos in their 20-17 Mountain West Conference win over the Aztecs was not something Ferguson could explain.
"I'm in as much awe about that as anyone else," said Ferguson. "I'm not sure why we didn't play better. It just wasn't there. We have to do better next week, that's for sure."
Next week is a Thursday visit to University Stadium by the surprising Air Force Falcons, who are 5-1 in the MWC after their 20-12 win over Wyoming.
"It's a game we look at as just another game," said UNM quarterback Donovan Porterie. "We have to be prepared. We have to go out and do the things necessary to win. I'm not saying it's not important, but look at what almost happened to us today against San Diego State. You have to be ready every time out."
Said Ferguson: "We were a little fortunate today, but things happen for a reason."
The Aztecs likely could have sealed the win when Aztec quarterback Kevin O'Connell scrambled for what appeared to be an Aztec first down just past the 50-yard line and into UNM territory with 1:46 to play. The Aztecs were up 17-13.
Only one problem. O'Connell was carrying the ball away from his body and a bump by Lobo Herbert Felder put the ball on the turf. UNM's O.J. Swift recovered it at the Lobo 35-yard line.
Seven plays later Porterie turned and shouted into Ferguson's ear on a first-and-goal from the Aztecs' six-yard line with 19 seconds to go.
"I'm was just explaining the blocking scheme," said Porterie.
The blocking scheme was good and the Aztec defense was spread out, likely expecting a pass, said Lobos coach Rocky Long.
Instead Ferguson hit the left side of the UNM line and pushed his way in for the winning score. The win raises UNM's record to 5-2 and 2-1 in league.
"You have to win these types of games, too," said Ferguson.
The Lobos took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 31-yard field goal by John Sullivan. The Aztecs intercepted Porterie in the second quarter and returned it 45 yards to set up an O'Connell quarterback sneak from a yard out. SDSU led 10-3.
The Lobos tied the game at halftime in almost as dramatic fashion as they won the game. UNM got the ball on its six-yard line with 2:41 to play in the half. Porterie ended the 13-play drive by lofting a 25-yard pass into the left side of the Aztecs' endzone. It appeared that SDSU defender Vonnie Holmes was tracking the ball and would either knock it down or make the interception.
However, Holmes did not keep backing up with the football and when it became a jump ball, the 6-foot-3 Travis Brown won the jump over the 6-foot Holmes.
UNM's other score in the second half was a 38-yard field goal by Sullivan.
The Lobos dominated the statistical battle with 19 first downs to 14 for SDSU. UNM ended the game with 365 total yards and SDSU had 299 yards. A bad stat for UNM Saturday was converting 3-of-16 third down plays.
The Lobos rushing game was so-so with UNM running for 141 yards and Ferguson getting 78 yards on 24 carries. Porterie was 18-of-35 with two interceptions and one TD for 239 yards.
Brown had seven catches for 119 yards and one TD.
"That was a heartbreaker," said SDSU coach Chuck Long. "That's obvious. It was a tough one. We had our chances."
NMLobos
Rodney Ferguson scores TD with 15 seconds to play
By Richard Stevens
Saturday, October 20, 2007
SAN DIEGO -- The touchdown Rodney Ferguson could explain. He took the ball six yards out of the San Diego State endzone and bulled the ball in for the winning touchdown behind the Lobos massive offensive line. He scored with 15 seconds to play.
The general performance of the Lobos in their 20-17 Mountain West Conference win over the Aztecs was not something Ferguson could explain.
"I'm in as much awe about that as anyone else," said Ferguson. "I'm not sure why we didn't play better. It just wasn't there. We have to do better next week, that's for sure."
Next week is a Thursday visit to University Stadium by the surprising Air Force Falcons, who are 5-1 in the MWC after their 20-12 win over Wyoming.
"It's a game we look at as just another game," said UNM quarterback Donovan Porterie. "We have to be prepared. We have to go out and do the things necessary to win. I'm not saying it's not important, but look at what almost happened to us today against San Diego State. You have to be ready every time out."
Said Ferguson: "We were a little fortunate today, but things happen for a reason."
The Aztecs likely could have sealed the win when Aztec quarterback Kevin O'Connell scrambled for what appeared to be an Aztec first down just past the 50-yard line and into UNM territory with 1:46 to play. The Aztecs were up 17-13.
Only one problem. O'Connell was carrying the ball away from his body and a bump by Lobo Herbert Felder put the ball on the turf. UNM's O.J. Swift recovered it at the Lobo 35-yard line.
Seven plays later Porterie turned and shouted into Ferguson's ear on a first-and-goal from the Aztecs' six-yard line with 19 seconds to go.
"I'm was just explaining the blocking scheme," said Porterie.
The blocking scheme was good and the Aztec defense was spread out, likely expecting a pass, said Lobos coach Rocky Long.
Instead Ferguson hit the left side of the UNM line and pushed his way in for the winning score. The win raises UNM's record to 5-2 and 2-1 in league.
"You have to win these types of games, too," said Ferguson.
The Lobos took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 31-yard field goal by John Sullivan. The Aztecs intercepted Porterie in the second quarter and returned it 45 yards to set up an O'Connell quarterback sneak from a yard out. SDSU led 10-3.
The Lobos tied the game at halftime in almost as dramatic fashion as they won the game. UNM got the ball on its six-yard line with 2:41 to play in the half. Porterie ended the 13-play drive by lofting a 25-yard pass into the left side of the Aztecs' endzone. It appeared that SDSU defender Vonnie Holmes was tracking the ball and would either knock it down or make the interception.
However, Holmes did not keep backing up with the football and when it became a jump ball, the 6-foot-3 Travis Brown won the jump over the 6-foot Holmes.
UNM's other score in the second half was a 38-yard field goal by Sullivan.
The Lobos dominated the statistical battle with 19 first downs to 14 for SDSU. UNM ended the game with 365 total yards and SDSU had 299 yards. A bad stat for UNM Saturday was converting 3-of-16 third down plays.
The Lobos rushing game was so-so with UNM running for 141 yards and Ferguson getting 78 yards on 24 carries. Porterie was 18-of-35 with two interceptions and one TD for 239 yards.
Brown had seven catches for 119 yards and one TD.
"That was a heartbreaker," said SDSU coach Chuck Long. "That's obvious. It was a tough one. We had our chances."
NMLobos