WESTERN ATHLETIC ROUNDUP : Utah Falls Behind, 27-0, Then Beats New Mexico

No lead, apparently, is too big for New Mexico to lose.

Utah spotted the Lobos a 27-0 lead early in the second half of Saturday’s Western Athletic Conference game at Albuquerque, then came back to win, 29-27, handing New Mexico its fifth consecutive defeat.

Charles Brown capped the comeback with a five-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left.

Utah improved to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the WAC. New Mexico, which has blown leads throughout the season, dropped to 2-9 and 1-5.

The Lobos appeared to be in total control after converting two Utah turnovers into touchdowns to start the second half.

Mike Lewis started Utah’s 21-point third-quarter comeback by intercepting a pass from sophomore Marcus Goodloe at the New Mexico 24, setting up a three-play drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Brad Foster.

Utah defensive back Mark Swanson intercepted another pass by Goodloe to set up a 20-yard, four-play drive that Darrel Hicks capped with a 21-yard touchdown run.

Goodloe fumbled at the Utah 48 on a fourth-down play and the Utes again capitalized with Mike Richmond connecting with Bryan Rowley on a 30-yard touchdown pass play.

Buried in its own territory, New Mexico gave up a safety before Utah went 50 yards with the winning drive. A 17-yard run by tackle Wade Absher on a faked pass and an 18-yard pass from Richmond to Greg Hoffman set up Brown’s touchdown run.

New Mexico’s final bid ended when Jimmy Bellamy intercepted a Goodloe pass at the New Mexico 45 with 42 seconds left.

Colorado State 31, Tulsa 13--The Rams (7-3) improved their chances for their first bowl berth in 42 years with the victory over the Hurricane (2-8) in a nonconference game at Fort Collins, Colo.

Colorado State, which made its only bowl appearance in the 1948 Raisin Bowl, is a strong candidate for the Freedom Bowl.

The Freedom Bowl Committee will meet Monday to pick opponents.

Fullback Todd Yert scored three short-yardage touchdowns for the Rams and cornerback Selwyn Jones sealed the victory when he intercepted a pass in the end zone with 1:45 left.