WESTERN ATHLETIC ROUNDUP : Detmer’s 5 Touchdown Passes Lead BYU, 55-31

New Mexico tried to unnerve Ty Detmer with a blitzing defense, but the Brigham Young quarterback blitzed the Lobos with another outstanding passing performance.

Detmer completed 26 of 41 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns as No. 9 BYU defeated New Mexico, 55-31, in a Western Athletic Conference game at Provo, Utah.

“They lined up and showed what they were going to do,” Detmer said. “It wasn’t hard to figure it out.”

Detmer connected with Micah Matsuzaki on touchdown pass plays of 15, four and 14 yards as the Cougars improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the WAC.

New Mexico quarterback Jeremy Leach, who had the Lobos (2-7, 1-3) in a 21-21 tie in the second quarter, completed 22 of 40 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns, three to Mike Henderson.

Derwin Gray intercepted three of Leach’s passes and returned one for a touchdown.

Detmer drove the Cougars 79 yards in eight plays late in the second quarter for the go-ahead touchdown, which came on his four-yard pass to Matsuzaki.

Gray picked off a tipped Leach pass at the New Mexico 17 and ran it back for the touchdown that put the Cougars safely ahead at 35-21.

BYU turned the game into a rout early in the third quarter when Detmer connected with Andy Boyce on an 18-yard touchdown pass play. Boyce caught nine passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, one on a play covering 53 yards in the second quarter.

“We were able to really hurt them when they showed blitz and Ty audibled,” Boyce said.

Air Force 52, Utah 21--Quarterback Rob Perez scored two touchdowns and safety Shanon Yates had two interceptions in the first seven minutes as the Falcons, 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the WAC, routed the Utes (3-5, 1-4) at Air Force Academy, Colo.

Fullback Rodney Lewis rushed for 131 yards in nine carries and scored two touchdowns for the Falcons, who can get an automatic berth to the Liberty Bowl with a victory over Army on Nov. 10 and at least one more win in their last three games.