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Boise State pounds New Mexico State to remain unbeaten

Nov 2, 2008 - 3:12 AM LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Kellen Moore threw three touchdown passes and No. 11 Boise State got a dominant performance from its defense in a 49-0 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday.

Moore completed 15-of-23 passes for 245 yards for the Broncos (8-0, 4-0 WAC). Moore threw two of his TD passes in the first half as Boise State opened a 28-0 lead.

It was just another rout for the Broncos, who defeated New Mexico State, 58-0, last year. This one was keyed by the defense, as the Aggies (3-5, 1-3) managed only 10 first downs and 147 total yards.

"Those are hard to do these days, they really are," Boise State coach Petersen said of the shutout. "We're proud of those guys. New Mexico State's got some explosive guys so any time you can get a shutout you're pleased with it."

Ian Johnson and Jeremy Avery each ran for a TD and Kyle Wilson capped the scoring with a 68-yard punt return for a TD.

Boise State started slowly and only led 7-0 after the first quarter. Moore gave the Broncos the early lead with a 14-yard TD pass to Jeremy Childs.

In the second quarter, Boise State put the game out of reach.

Johnson scored on an 11-yard run and Avery added a TD run from 10-yards out. Moore hit Austin Pettis for a 23-yard TD to make ti 28-0 at the half and the rout was on.

"I thought our guys played hard," Petersen said. "Our defense has been doing a good job all year, had another good game tonight. We had too many penalties for our liking but our kids played hard and got it done."

Moore was not done and added a second scoring strike to Childs, this one from 29 yards out in the third quarter made it 35-0. D.J. Harper added a 5-yard TD run to give the Broncos a 42-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Johnson finished with 62 yards on 10 carries while Avery and Harper each ran six times for 47 yards as the Broncos outrushed the Aggies 215-38.

"I don't think we played good, which then made them look better, but I think they are really good and they should be ranked that high," New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme said. "We did not execute well tonight and in order to compete with this level of a program you have to come out and fight from the beginning."