Basket Leads New Mexico Over Missouri

Senior receiver scores three touchdowns in 45-35 win.

New Mexico's Gabriel Fulbright (23) runs with an interception of a pass by Missouri quarterback Brad Smith during the first half. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
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Sept. 10, 2005

Final Stats

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Hank Baskett caught 10 passes for 209 yards and a career-best three touchdowns, helping New Mexico pull away in the fourth quarter for a 45-35 victory over Missouri on Saturday night.

Kenny Byrd's 40-yard field goal snapped a fourth-quarter tie and Baskett's 9-yard touchdown catch from Kole McKamey with 2:01 clinched it for the Lobos (2-0), who scored 17 points in the final quarter and won for the second time this week after beating UNLV on Monday. They spoiled Missouri's home opener despite a record-breaking day from Brad Smith, and ended a 12-game losing streak against teams from the Big 12 that dated to 1983.

McKamey threw a career-best three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth. He held his own against Smith, who ran for touchdowns of 31 and 15 yards, threw for a third score and broke two school career scoring records.

Smith also had a career-high 29 rushing attempts for Missouri (1-1), but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Gabriel Fulbright had both of the interceptions, including one with 3:15 left that led to Baskett's third touchdown catch.

The game had been tied four times before Byrd's career-long field goal put New Mexico ahead to stay with 4:22 to go. Baskett's touchdown catch came four plays later.

Smith set school career records for yards passing and yards rushing while going 32-for-55 for 248 yards and gaining 165 yards on 29 carries. He already holds records for total offense and passing touchdowns.

New Mexico's pass rush forced a fumble by Smith that Evroy Thompson returned 28 yards to put New Mexico ahead 21-14 early in the third quarter. Smith tied it again when he broke three tackles and slipped a fourth on a 31-yard run on the ensuing drive.

Then Smith put Missouri ahead, breaking three more tackles after New Mexico collapsed the pocket on a pass play and scoring on a 15-yard scramble for a 28-21 lead. New Mexico tied it on a 41-yard option pass from DonTrell Moore to Baskett near the end of the third quarter.

The teams traded scores early in the fourth quarter, McKamey getting a 4-yard run for New Mexico and Missouri answering on a 12-yard pass from Smith to Chase Coffman.

Before the game there was a moment of silence to honor Missouri linebacker Aaron O'Neal, who died of viral meningitis in July after a conditioning workout. Players lined up on the 25, O'Neal's jersey number.