WAC Roundup : Mathis Breaks Record as New Mexico Wins

Terance Mathis scored on a 96-yard kickoff return, caught two touchdown passes and became the all-time leading receiver in Western Athletic Conference history Saturday in New Mexico’s 45-13 win over New Mexico State at Albuquerque, N.M.

New Mexico is 1-1; New Mexico State is 0-2.

The 5-foot-9 Mathis, a third-team All-American in 1987 who sat out last season with academic problems, caught only three passes but ran his career total to 186. His second catch of the night, a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Leach, broke the previous WAC mark of 184 catches by Colorado State’s Jeff Champine from 1980-83.

Mathis also caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Leach, who completed 12 of 21 for 148 yards. But it was Mathis’ return of an Aggie kickoff with 10:11 left in the third quarter that broke it open.

Thirty-six seconds earlier, junior Dat Ly kicked a 36-yard field goal. He also kicked a 49-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Mathis took the ensuing kickoff, sidestepped a couple of New Mexico State tacklers at his 30, then accelerated into the open near midfield. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown by New Mexico since 1975, when Jon Sutton returned one 100 yards against New Mexico State.

New Mexico, recording its third win in three seasons, also got field goals of 41, 26 and 38 yards from freshman David Margolis, a 35-yard touchdown pass from Leach to Mike Henderson and a five-yard scoring run by halfback Dion Morrow.

Fullback Eddie McDew scored New Mexico State’s only touchdown on a one-yard run, a score set up by a 40-yard pass from reserve quarterback Phil Maloof to Larry Harriston.

Utah 45, Utah State 10--Scott Mitchell passed for 394 yards and five touchdowns, including four to tight end Dennis Smith, as the Utes won at Salt Lake City.

Utah of the Western Athletic Conference (1-1) gained control midway through the first half when Mitchell and Smith launched their aerial assault.

The Aggies of the Big West Conference (0-1) mounted little offense. USU had only 61 yards total offense in the first half and got inside the 20-yard line just once in the first three quarters.

Lamar 21, UTEP 19--John Evans threw three second-quarter touchdown passes as the Cardinals defeated the Miners at El Paso.

UTEP’s Dominick Cefalone missed a 36-yard field goal with 1:20 remaining.

Evans completed 11 of 12 passes for 218 yards in the second quarter as the Cardinals (1-1) took a 21-6 lead. He threw touchdown passes of 33 and 20 yards to Tyrone Shavers and 31 yards to Ed Hickey.

Evans was 26 of 46 for 407 yards, five yards short of the school’s single-game passing record.

Scooter Menifee kept the Miners (0-2) in contention with second-half touchdown runs of 38 and two yards.