Long Beach Streak Its 3, New Mexico State’s 22

It took a while for George Allen to believe that Cal State Long Beach’s 31-27 victory over New Mexico State before 3,926 in Veterans Stadium Saturday had given the 49ers a three-game winning streak.

“Three in a row, holy Moses,” he finally said. “I feel drained because I know we could have lost it.”

Long Beach, which had not won three consecutive games since 1985, improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big West Conference in Allen’s first season.

“These guys are playing so hard and they beat a team that is tough to play because they have been losing,” Allen said. “It makes you think you’re not playing a good team.”

New Mexico State made a late bid to end the longest current losing streak in Division I when it scored on a nine-yard pass from David Chisum to Richard Sanchez with 1:24 to play. But an onside kick attempt failed, sending the Aggies (0-5, 0-2) to their 22nd consecutive defeat.

The 49ers, who have depended mostly on passing, finally showed a balanced attack with 216 yards rushing and 212 through the air.

Four Long Beach runners gained more than 40 yards, led by Freddie Leslie, who had 74. Quarterback Todd Studer completed only 13 of 30 passes, but two went for touchdowns.

“We made big plays on offense and defense when we had to have them,” said Allen.

One of the biggest came with 10 minutes left and the 49er lead down to 24-21. On fourth and one on the Aggie 24, Leslie ran to the six. Three plays later, Rickey Clark scored on a one-yard dive.

The Aggies took their only lead, 7-0, on an 11-yard pass from Chisum to Alvin Warren. Long Beach tied the score on a two-yard run by Herman Nash and took a 14-7 lead on a 27-yard pass from Studer to Jeff Exum. The 49ers led, 17-14, at the half.

An 18-yard TD pass from Studer to Sean Foster extended the lead to 24-14. But then Jimmie Mitchell, who gained 120 yards, scored on a three-yard run that was set up when Chisum, who was sacked seven times, hit Warren on a 46- yard pass play.

“This is a great tribute to our players,” Allen said of the winning streak. “A lesser team would have said the season’s over.”