Auburn 42, New Mexico State 7
Gene Chizik’s troops took a break from SEC action, and though the Tigers have no reason to be ecstatic about beating the lowly Aggies, they can rejoice after snapping a five-game losing streak that began mid-September. A pair of Auburn tailbacks tore apart the NMSU defense, as Tre Mason would go for 152 yards and Onterio McCalebb racked up 113 on just eight carries. The duo accounted for three touchdowns, though it took the Tigers quite awhile to light up the scoreboard. Mason scored with almost five minutes left in the second quarter and that would put the hosts up 7-0. One-win New Mexico State hosts San Jose State and still seeks its first conference victory.
La. Tech 51, UTSA 27
La. Tech is inching closer and closer to a BCS bowl appearance and the now 20th-ranked Bulldogs head into the “meat” of their WAC schedule, meeting San Jose State and Utah State in their final two games. First, Sonny Dykes and the Bulldogs disposed of new conference member UTSA. As is the La. Tech way, Colby Cameron picked apart the defense with ease, throwing for 348 passing yards and three touchdowns. The slaughter wouldn’t be complete without a few scores from true freshman Kenneth Dixon. Dixon ran for 72 yards and three rushing touchdowns. The visiting Roadrunners made it a contest in the first quarter and the teams went into the second all tied at 14-14. La. Tech outscored its opponent in the second and fourth before running away with its eighth victory.
Utah State 38, Texas State 7
The Aggies became bowl eligible two games ago but continue to build upon a season that’s only seen them lose to Wisconsin and BYU. Texas State’s option schemes had little success against a superior Aggie defense, and Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton had a field day, tossing four touchdowns in the first half of play. Keeton’s two interceptions were overshadowed by a 20 of 27, 316-yard showing. The USU Aggie running backs went for 268 yards, led by Kerywn Williams’ 120. Though it has yet to play conference powerhouse La. Tech, Utah State sits atop the WAC at 4-0. The Bobcats’ only conference win came against Idaho and they are 1-2.
Theo Lawson can be reached at [email protected]