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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico tied a school and Mountain West Conference record for rushing touchdowns with eight Saturday in a season-opening 66-0 win over Mississippi Valley State.
And the oft-maligned Lobos defense chucked its first shutout since beating Wyoming 24-0 in 2008 and never allowed the Delta Devils to cross midfield.
New Mexico, which allowed more than 500 yards of total offense a game last season, gave up just 74 yards to the Delta Devils. They didn't get past their own 40 in the first half and Mississippi Valley's deepest penetration came on its final possession when it reached their own 42.
Lobos quarterback Lamar Jordan completed all seven of his passes for 103 yards and added 62 rushing yards and the game's first touchdown seven minutes into the game. New Mexico scored two more touchdowns in the first quarter, including scores 17 seconds apart, to start the onslaught.
Thomas Stokes Jr. led the Delta Devils with 40 yards on 13 carries, but overall they finished with 26 rushing yards on 40 carries. The Lobos forced nine Mississippi Valley punts and came up with three turnovers.
New Mexico's Darryl Chestnut, a transfer from Coffeyville Junior College, made his Lobos' debut a memorable one, scoring the first two times he touched the ball, going 64 yards on a burst up the middle, then 37 yards around the end. He finished with 108 yards on six carries.
Redshirt freshman Tyrone Owens also scored twice in his Lobos' debut.
New Mexico's second touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone by offensive lineman Reno Henderson.
It was the Lobos most lopsided victory since beating San Diego State 70-7 on Oct. 8, 2008.
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