The Arizona football team was stunned on its home turf by New Mexico 29-27, falling to 1-2 on the season and 0-2 against the Mountain West Conference.
The Wildcats had difficulty capitalizing on red zone possessions, fumbling twice and missing a field goal.
“”Mistakes in the red zone really cost us a lot of points,”” UA head coach Mike Stoops said. “”Those were tough points. We felt like we were ready to stretch it out and get some breathing room.””
Arizona put up 484 yards of total offense, but also gave up 421 yards.
Quarterback Willie Tuitama attempted to lead his team down field down by two with just under two minutes to play. After two long passes fell incomplete to Wildcat receivers, Tuitama was picked off on the New Mexico 40-yard line, sealing the game for the Lobos.
Stoops and his players took into account the amount of mental errors the team made throughout the game.
The Wildcats had three turnovers for the entire game, including Tuitama’s late interception.
“”When you lose the turnover battle you usually lose the game,”” said cornerback Antoine Cason. “”Too many turnovers caused us to lose the game. We can’t lose the turnover battle. We need to come out and play football the way we know how to play.””
At the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats trailed 26-13. The team was able to get back in the game, scoring an early touchdown to make the score 26-20, but the Lobos kicker John Sullivan made a field goal with 6:41 to play.
“”We had a lot of unselfish and a lot of uninflected wounds,”” Mike Thomas said. “”Little things were hindering us but when it’s all said and done we’ve got to come out with these kinds of victories.””
New Mexico finished the third quarter with 19 unanswered points, taking advantage of Arizona miscues.
The Lobos defense was credited with a safety after Tuitama was called for intentional grounding in the end zone to take a 19-13 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Lobos quarterback Donovan Porterie connected with wide receiver Marcus Smith for a 23-yard score.
Sullivan added a 31-yard field goal with 7:15 to go in the third.
In the first half, New Mexico scored a touchdown to take the lead with three seconds remaining in the half.
With 17 seconds remaining, Arizonawas flagged with an unsportsmanlike conduct call from the sidelines.
Officials gave the Wildcats a 15-yard penalty with the Lobos driving downfield.
After a six-yard loss on a sack and a five-yard false start penalty, Porterie connected with Travis Brown for a 33-yard touchdown pass.
The Wildcats were warned with a sideline penalty 1:04 into the game.
Tuitama went 11-for-23 with 172 yards, connecting with Terrell Turner for a 39-yard touchdown pass.
“”It was certainly disappointing in the fact that we thought we matched up well and had a chance to win,”” Stoops said. “”Anytime you don’t win and you have an opportunity, that’s disappointing.””
