New Mexico can look back on the 2007 season and point to one issue that prevented it from contending for a Mountain West Conference championship this season.

Fielding punts against teams from Utah.

The Lobos (7-4, 4-3 Mountain West Conference) committed four fumbles, and Utah (8-3, 5-2) took advantage, coming up with 14 points from the miscues in a 28-10 victory in Salt Lake City Nov. 17.

New Mexico, needing a victory to enhance its postseason chances, now could be home for the holidays.

"Too many turnovers. We killed ourselves," Lobos running back Rodney Ferguson said. "We've got one more game left. We can't worry about a bowl game right now; we've got to worry about winning our last game."

New Mexico spotted the Utes a 14-0 halftime lead but closed the gap to 14-10 late in the third quarter, after cornerback DeAndre Wright's 42-yard interception return to the Utah 11 led to Ferguson's 2-yard touchdown run and John Sullivan's 22-yard field goal.

The Lobos then forced Utah's offense to go three-and-out, but returner Ian Clark had a punt bounce off his chest that the Utes' Clint Mower recovered. Utah drove 24 yards for a touchdown and a 21-10 lead.

The Utes clinched the game when defensive end Paul Kruger stripped New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie of the ball on a sack and fellow lineman Koa Misi returned it 28 yards for the touchdown.

New Mexico trailed Brigham Young 28-24 in a game in late September when it also fumbled on a punt return after rallying from a 21-6 deficit. In that game, the Cougars also scored a defensive touchdown en route to a 31-24 victory.

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