Recap: New Mexico vs. Wyoming

Albuquerque, NM (Sports Network) - Brett Smith threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns as the Wyoming Cowboys took down the New Mexico Aggies, 28-23, in a Mountain West Conference showdown at Branch Field.

Smith completed 20-of-32 passes for the Cowboys (2-7, 1-4 MWC), who have won back-to-back games. Dominic Rufran led all receivers with six receptions for 116 yards, and Jalen Claiborne (two receptions, 52 yards) caught two touchdowns.

For New Mexico (4-6, 1-4), Cole Gautsche threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-15 passing. The team rushed for 396 yards, paced by impressive efforts from Gautsche (149 yards) and Kasey Carrier (109 yards, TD). The Aggies have dropped four straight games.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Lobos struck first early in the second quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Gautsche to Andrew Aho. Wyoming wasted no time answering the bell however, as Smith tossed an 81-yard scoring strike to Robert Herron less than a minute later to make it 7-7.

Smith added two more touchdown passes before the end of the half, one to Rufran for 64 yards and the other to Claiborne for 33 yards, as the Cowboys took a 21-7 advantage into intermission.

New Mexico cut into its deficit five minutes into the third quarter with a much-needed big play, as Gautsche hooked up with Ty Kirk for a 52-yard scoring strike. It inched even closer to the lead later in the third quarter following a 20-yard field goal from Justus Adams.

Wyoming brought its lead back to double digits, 28-17, early in the fourth quarter on another Smith-to-Claiborne hookup, this time for 19 yards.

The Lobos would not go quietly however, as Kasey Carrier rushed in a one-yard score less than three minutes later. It remained a five-point Wyoming lead following a failed two-point conversion attempt, but New Mexico would get no closer.

New Mexico lost despite holding a commanding advantage in time of possession (38:11 to 21:49).