WESTERN ATHLETIC ROUNDUP : Fresno State Wins First Conference Game

Trent Bilfer completed 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns to lead Fresno State to a 52-21 victory over Colorado State at Fresno on Saturday night.

Bilfer hit Charlie Jones for a 55-yard touchdown pass, Malcolm Seabron for one of 32 yards and Tidas Seabron on a play covering 23 yards in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs (2-1) won their first Western Athletic Conference game.

Sam Watson intercepted two passes, returning one for a 38-yard touchdown for Fresno State, in its first season as a WAC member.

Colorado State is 0-3.

New Mexico State 30, Texas El Paso 24--Cornerback David Barela made two game-saving plays, including an interception with 51 seconds to play, as the Aggies won at El Paso for their first 3-0 start since 1975.

Barela’s interception of Mike Perez’s pass killed the Miners’ final drive at the Aggies’ 22. He also recovered a botched option pass at the UTEP 44 with seven minutes to play and the Aggies clinging to their six-point lead.

The Aggies, who haven’t won three games in a season since 1983 and managed only three victories combined in 1990-91, beat the Miners (0-3) for the first time since 1985.

Air Force 42, Wyoming 28--The Falcons returned six interceptions for 167 yards in winning at Laramie, Wyo., for the first time since 1985.

Air Force (2-1, 1-1) gained all of its 377 yards on the ground. The Falcons scored twice in the opening six minutes on two 78-yard plays--Obasi Ohuoha’s touchdown run on the game’s third play and Carlton McDonald’s interception return.

Southern Methodist 20, New Mexico 13--Kevin Shepard ran for 156 yards, and defensive end Chad Patton blocked a punt that set up a second-quarter touchdown for the Mustangs at Albuquerque, N.M.

It was the second victory in a row for SMU (2-1).

New Mexico is 1-2.