Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
New Mexico
Rams Edged at New Mexico, 26-23
11/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2007
Final Stats | Notes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- John Sullivan kicked four field goals, including a 43-yarder as time expired, to lift New Mexico to a thrilling 26-23 victory over Colorado State on Saturday.
The game-winner came after O.J. Swift returned a punt 18 yards to the Rams' 26, lunging for the final distance and leaving three seconds on the clock.
Sullivan and New Mexico's field goal unit trotted out, then celebrated along with 27,031 fans as the kick sailed through the uprights. The Lobos (7-3, 4-2 Mountain West) bounced back from a 37-0 loss at TCU last weekend.
It was the second straight year New Mexico beat Colorado State (1-9, 1-6) on the final play. Last year in Fort Collins, Colo., Kenny Byrd's 33-yard field goal was the margin in a 20-19 win.
Sullivan also made a career-long 46-yard field goal to put the Lobos up 23-17 midway through the third. That kick gave him the school single-season record, which now sits at 24 field goals.
Colby Cason held the previous New Mexico record with 21 in 1997.
Sullivan's second field goal of the day, a 39-yarder, put New Mexico up 20-3 at halftime. He also made a 34-yard try on the opening possession.
It was a heartbreaking ending for the Rams, who have lost 16 of 17. But just as New Mexico coach Rocky Long had predicted, Colorado State's effort made their record seem like a misprint.
Gartrell Johnson rushed for career highs with 172 yards on 31 attempts. His previous rushing best was 162 yards in a 48-23 win at UNLV on Oct. 20, which snapped Colorado State's 13-game losing streak.
The Rams trailed by 10 points in the first half but pulled within 23-20 on Jason Smith's 23-yard field goal with 12:05 remaining, then tied it when Smith connected on a 32-yarder with 8:24 to go.
The tying score was set up when New Mexico's Rodney Ferguson fumbled and Blake Smith recovered for the Rams at the Lobos' 25-yard line. It was the only turnover by either team.
Ferguson had 110 yards rushing on 20 carries while Donovan Porterie was 21-of-29 for 211 yards passing with two TDs.
Porterie threw for two TDs, including a 28-yard scoring play to Marcus Smith for a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and a 6-yard TD pass to tight end Chris Mark for a 17-7 lead late in the opening period.
Colorado State's Johnny Walker had a big day, logging a career-high 177 yards receiving and two scores. He hauled in a perfectly thrown pass from Hanie for a 64-yard TD play and later added a 31-yard TD pass from Hanie.
Hanie completed 13 of 19 for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
