BYU football: Despite record New Mexico has not quit on the season

ALBUQUERQUE — Don't even try to talk to first-year New Mexico coach Mike Locksley about moral victories.

Though the 0-10 Lobos haven't won a game this season, they nearly knocked off BYU Saturday at University Stadium. But, no, UNM is not satisfied with a narrow 24-19 setback to the No. 22 Cougars.

"Tough loss for our team," Locksley said. "I can't say enough about the 100-plus guys in that locker room. We don't believe in consolation prizes and close victories. That is not what we are all about. Obviously, I am most disappointed for my senior class. My heart goes out to those guys. They have pulled and pushed this team forward as a class. They have motivated us as coaches to stay the course. They gave a valiant effort today. We played for four quarters. My team hasn't quit. They won't quit."

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Saturday's effort could be a harbinger of good things on the horizon.

"We have made steps the last three or four weeks in the right direction as a program," Locksley said. "There is definitely improvement that has been shown, improvement that we will use for the rest of the season as a catalyst into our future."

Senior quarterback Donovan Porterie, who has suffered plenty of adversity in his career at New Mexico in the form of losses and injuries, completed 28 of 44 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns against the Cougars.

"It was a game that went all four quarters," Porterie said. "Both teams came out well-prepared and it went down to the wire. We had plenty of opportunities to win it. I'm appreciative of my offensive line for giving me time to find open receivers and the wide receivers who made big plays for me. Overall, I think this was our best game."

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall was impressed with the way Porterie played and he made it a point to tell him as much after the game.

"I told him I was proud of him," Mendenhall said. "I was proud the way he led the team today. As the quarterback, they looked to him to make critical plays. I thought he made a lot of them. He showed a lot of poise and composure. He just kept making plays. I told him that's what any good leader does. I thought he needed to hear that maybe from an opposing coach where maybe around here, sometimes fans, or others, only see what he's not doing well."

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com