Aztecs Reach Out for a Victory : San Diego State: In an offensive battle, San Diego State relies on defensive play to hold off New Mexico.

San Diego State and New Mexico engaged in an offensive showing Saturday night, but the outcome of the game ultimately fell on a defensive back.

The Aztecs relied on their potent offense to defeat the Lobos, 45-28, in a Western Athletic Conference game in front of 13,776 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

But it was the work of nickel back John Wesselman that made sure the 45 points were enough.

He finally put a stop to the New Mexico offense at a time when the Lobos were about to get back in the game.

With New Mexico running back Derek Coffman within 10 yards of completing what should have been a 76-yard touchdown run, Wesselman stripped him of the ball. The fumble rolled into the end zone and was recovered by Morey Paul.

A touchdown could have drawn the Lobos to three points, but instead the Aztecs took possession and drove for their clinching score.

The final score was a 15-yard touchdown run by Curtis Butts with 11:24 to play. It was Butts’ third touchdown. He finished with 156 yards in 17 carries.

SDSU’s junior quarterback Dan McGwire completed 25 of 39 passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Junior wide receiver Jimmy Raye had eight catches for 142 yards and one touchdown. Senior wide receiver Robert Claiborne added seven catches for 157 yards and one touchdown.

That helped account for much of the Aztecs’ 587 total yards.

Not since their 1986 WAC championship season had the Aztecs (5-3-1, 3-2) won four in a row. New Mexico is 1-9 and 0-6.