The Utes erupted for 28 second-half points to break open a competitive game and go on for an easy 45-14 victory in front of 45,051 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"This may be the first game that I felt our guys didn't come out and play with the effort in the third quarter," UNM coach Mike Locksley aid. "This team has a lot of pride. I have no doubt they're going to play. The big thing is to finish this thing the right way for our senior class. Somehow, some way, we gotta make this thing right for our seniors."

Utah (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West Conference) led 17-7 at the half but erupted for 14 points in the first seven minutes of the second half and never looked back. The victory set up its big showdown next week at No. 6 TCU (9-0, 5-0).

The Lobos (0-9, 0-5), meanwhile, lost their 13th straight game dating to last season. It's UNM's longest losing streak since it lost 21 in a row from 1967-69.

"People don't understand how hard it is, being under new coaches," senior quarterback Donovan Porterie said. "We have a new offense, new defense, new special teams, (but) people look only at the 0-9. They don't understand. Not too many teams making the transition we're making are damn good right off the bat."

Utes running back Eddie Wide rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, setting a school record with his sixth consecutive 100-yard effort on the ground. Backup running back Sausan Shakerin added 100 yards and a score on 16 carries.

The Lobos, who emerged from the first quarter tied with the Utes at 7, had 150 yards of offense in the quarter. They had 184 the rest of the way, with 81 coming on a drive that resulted in backup quarterback B.R. Holbrook's 15-yard touchdown pass to Victor James with 17 seconds left in the game.

"They may have changed a few of their fronts up front," Porterie said of the Utes' halftime adjustments. "They might've brought a couple of different blitzes we had plays on that we probably should've checked out of, but it was manageable."

Porterie was 6-of-10 for 121 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown pass to Ty Kirk, in the first quarter. He went 9-for-22 for 65 yards and two interceptions the rest of the way.

His counterpart, Utah true freshman Jordan Wynn, was 18-of-28 for 297 yards with two TDs and one interception in his first collegiate start. He replaced junior Terrance Cain, who started the Utes' first eight games.

Wynn's offensive teammates helped him considerably in the second half with 221 rushing yards. That included a 22-yard loss on a botched snap that led to a fumble midway through the fourth quarter.

"Jordan is so savvy, and he is able to understand everything we throw at him," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The most important thing we have to help him do next Saturday night is get the running game going and take care of the football. We put the ball five times on the carpet tonight, but we were fortunate to only lose one."

The Utes fumbled three times in the first half, but UNM never could recover when the game was still in doubt. One ball at the end of a 33-yard pass bounced through sophomore middle linebacker Carmen Messina's arms. Utah wide receiver John Peel secured the ball at the UNM 35.

The drive ended with a 24-yard Joe Phillips field goal with 53 seconds left in the first half.

Utah then marched 63 yards on its opening drive in the second half, scoring at the 12:44 mark when Shakerin rumbled 20 yards on a Wynn screen pass.

Wide receiver Jereme Brooks' 29-yard reverse capped an 82-yard drive with eight minutes left to give the Utes a 31-7 lead.

Brooks also had six receptions for 135 yards and scored on a 69-yard pass from Wynn with 5:52 left in the first quarter.

"No one expected the season to go like this," said Messina, who tied a career high with 19 tackles. "It hurts; it hurts our pride a little bit. It's been a struggle."

True freshman tailback Kasey Carrier continues to give the Lobos hope as they enter their final stretch of the season. He had 11 carries for 54 yards. Kirk, a redshirt freshman back from a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules, had four catches for 82 yards and a score - all in the first half.

"I know in the long run, we're definitely going to be a better team," Messina said. "I can't wait to start showing our fans and everyone who cares about the Lobo nation that we're getting better. We're trying our hearts out."

Unfortunately, their hearts gave out after 30 minutes Saturday.