UTEP’s first MWC football game is one to forget; UNM Lobos pummel Miners, 61-7

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - A historic day for the UTEP Miners quickly turned sour after the Miners were handily defeated by the New Mexico Lobos Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque.

The Lobos pummeled the Miners, 61-7.

It was UTEP's first Mountain West Conference football game, and served as preview of what the Miners can expect in their new conference.

The Lobos dominated from start to finish.

New Mexico had a 21-0 lead at the half, and continued to pile it on in the third quarter extending their lead, 37-0.

UTEP quarterback EJ Colson was benched at the start of the second half with backup QB Raymond Moore III playing the rest of the game.

Colson had thrown for just 45 yards and one interception before he was taken out of the game.

UTEP avoided the shutout putting up their first points of the game in the 4th quarter following a 86-yard touchdown run by Moore III on a quarterback keeper.

At that point of the game, the Lobos still had a commanding lead, 44-7.

New Mexico solidified themselves as one of the best teams in the Mountain West as they improved their overall record to 4-1, 1-0 in conference play.

Meanwhile, the Miners fall to 1-4 on the season, 0-1 in conference play.

UTEP will be back in action next Saturday at the Sun Bowl for their conference home opener against Nevada.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.