Sept. 20, 2009
Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 1 
| Slide Show by Ivan Pierre Aguirre
Donald Buckram ran for a career-high 113 yards as UTEP scored all five of its touchdowns on the ground in a 38-12 dismantling of NM State on Saturday night in Las Cruces.
A rain and lightning delay of nearly three hours couldn't stop the Miners from posting their 50th win in the long-running I-10 series. UTEP (1-2) secured its first victory over the Aggies (1-2) since 2006 while posting its first win of the 2009 season.
"It was an unusual start to the game," UTEP coach Mike Price said. "I thought we were more fired up and ready to play the second time than the first time (referring to the lightning delay). I was glad to see us be able to run the ball a little bit. I was a little apprehensive about playing the mud. I thought it could be an equalizer."
Buckram and Vernon Frazier both scored two rushing touchdowns for the Miners, who forced a turnover on NM State's opening possession, converted it into a TD, then withstood the long delay to score the game's next 24 points.
UTEP forced three turnovers in the game, and held the Aggies to 284 yards of total offense.
"It is great to get a win," Price said. "I'm really happy for our seniors. New Mexico State played hard. I think we beat Hal Mumme's team about the same his first year, and they came back to beat us twice in a row. It's always going to be an exciting rivalry."
The only downside in the game was a potential season-ending injury to senior DL Landon Goodwell. Price said that the early indication pointed to it being a serious ACL injury.
The Miners will play at Texas (3-0) for the first time since 1933 next week. UTEP and the second-ranked Longhorns will square off at 1:30 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net (FSN).
