New Mexico Rushes For 400 First Half Yards, Combines For 70 Points With UNLV

Sep 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Kasey Carrier (5) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

New Mexico and UNLV may be the Mountain West Conference’s bottom of the barrel (though San Diego State is making a strong case, trailing lowly New Mexico State at halftime), but the Lobos and Rebels provided some fireworks through one half Saturday.

The option offense Bob Davie and offensive coordinator Bod DeBesse installed last season netted 400 first half rushing yards. That’s not a typo: New Mexico rushed for 400 yards in the first half. Star Lobo running back set the pace with 147 and a touchdown. Quarterbacks Cole Gautsche and Clayton Mitchem each rushed for two touchdowns.

UNLV’s yardage output was less prolific, but the Rebels notched 35 first half points to match the Lobos.

To call the 70 combined first half points a basketball score would be astute, as the 140-point pace they are now on exceeds the final score from the two teams’ meeting on the hardwood in last March’s MWC tournament by 21 points.

Maybe the UNLV and New Mexico football teams can spare their basketball counterparts three touchdowns.