Tuioti leads UNM romp
ALBUQUERQUE — Tevaka Tuioti took the Lobos offense out for a spin, and the early returns from the test drive were positive. The sophomore became the first UNM quarterback in 20 years to pass for four touchdowns, completing 13 passes for 246 yards as the Lobos rolled to a 62-30 win over Incarnate Word on Saturday night at Dreamstyle Stadium.
The season opener saw UNM score 28 unanswered points in the first half and 27 straight in the second half, blowing open what had been a 28-16 game late in the second quarter.
The offense, which underwent an overhaul this offseason with the hiring of a new coordinator, amassed 680 total yards, more than half of which uncharacteristically came through the air. The team’s 361 passing yards included a fifth touchdown pass from third-string quarterback Sherion Jones.
It wasn’t all good, however. The defense gave up 566 yards to the Cardinals. That included a 90-yard run touchdown run in the first half and a gameopening drive that handed Incarnate Word an early 7-0 lead. The Lobos were repeatedly burned for big plays as the Cardinals averaged 7.8 yards of offense per snap.
Lobos running back Tyrone Owens had two rushing touchdowns and Zahneer Shuler had a team-high 90 yards on just five carries. Tight end Marcus Williams caught two passes for 43 yards. Both of his receptions were touchdowns as 10 receivers caught at least one pass.
The game was played before an announced crowd of just 18,213, more than 20,000 short of capacity.
New Mexico (1-0) will travel for its toughest game of the season. The Lobos will face No. 4 Wisconsin Saturday in Camp-Randall Stadium. The Badgers (1-0) are the Big Ten favorite and are a contender for a national championship.