Utah Utes football: After slow start Utes dominate New Mexico 56-14

Utah Utes vs. UNM boxscore

College football standings

ALBUQUERQUE — Nothing seems to come easy for the Utah Utes in the Land of Enchantment.

Case in point: Saturday's 56-14 victory over New Mexico at University Stadium.

Sure, the final score was lopsided and a far cry from the three-point outcomes — a win for each team — that marked their last two trips here.

This meeting, however, had its share of adventure.

"We sputtered a bit early but we started to execute better and play better football as the game wore on," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "I'd like to be more of a fast-starting team. That's ideal, but the first three ball games that hasn't proven to be the case."

Facing a New Mexico team that was outscored 124-17 in season-opening losses to Oregon and Texas Tech, No. 14-ranked Utah had its struggles early before blowing things open — wide open.

The Utes' first offensive series ended with an Eddie Wide fumble inside Lobo territory. Their second came oh-so-close to a similar conclusion when Matt Asiata had the ball jarred loose near the goal line.

Fortunately for Utah, tight end Brad Clifford pounced on it at the New Mexico 2, and his knees hit the ground before a second fumble was recovered by the Lobos. The play was reviewed by the officials and ruled in Utah's favor.

Two snaps later, Asiata dove into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. Joe Phillips added the first of three PATs in the opening half to give the Utes a 7-0 advantage with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter.

It stayed that way until early in the second when quarterback Terrance Cain, who made his second consecutive start in place of the injured Jordan Wynn, connected on a 1-yard scoring strike to tight end Dallin Rogers.

Leading 14-0, Utah added another score before halftime. A 12-yard touchdown run by Cain capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with 29 seconds left to play in the second quarter.

Utah's 21-0 halftime advantage was highlighted by Cain, who completed nine passes in-a-row at one point. Shaky Smithson also played a pivotal role, giving the Utes good field position by returning three punts for 67 yards.

Utah had significant edges in total offense (184-68) and first downs (12-6) at the break.