ALBUQUERQUE — It wasn't easy, but BYU quarterback Max Hall tied a school record for most career wins Saturday at University Stadium.

The Cougars' hard-fought 24-19 victory gave Hall 29 wins as a starter, tying him with BYU legend Ty Detmer, who won the 1990 Heisman Trophy.

"It's a great thing. Max has helped us win a lot of games," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "While there will be those who look for the things he didn't do well, he's helped us win a lot of football game and that's where my focus is right now. I was proud of him."

Said Hall of reaching that milestone: "I remember my first game. I was worried about just not fumbling the snap and somehow completing a few balls. Now to have won this many games, I've been healthy, I've been in the battle long enough to be close to having the record for the number of wins is pretty phenomenal. I'm blessed and I want to take advantage of it. We want to win the last few games we have left."

Hall can own the record for most wins next week by beating Air Force at home.

HOOKS OUT: With 14:09 remaining in the second quarter, BYU's defense lost one of its senior leaders to an injury. Linebacker Terrance Hooks suffered a knee injury and lay for quite a while on the turf at University Stadium during the Cougars' 24-19 victory over New Mexico.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Hooks suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee, which would end his season — and his BYU career.

Hooks suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee a couple of years ago during spring practices.

"Terrance is a great player," said defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen. "He splits time but he's in the top three on our team in tackles. That tells you what kind of player Terrance is. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great leader. He does a lot for our emotion out there. Everything he does helps us. It's a tough loss for us. We're going to miss him. We've got to go out and play for him and let him know that we'll miss him."

Of Hooks' injury, Mendenhall said, "Our team is saddened by that. It's very difficult."

BYU IN ALBUQUERQUE: The last five games between the Cougars and Lobos have been decided by a total of 22 points.