By The Associated Press
Fort Worth, Texas – Quarterback Jeff Ballard ran for four touchdowns and threw for two more in his first career start Saturday night as TCU took a big lead, blew it and regained control for a 49-28 victory over New Mexico.
The junior, who started in place of injured Tye Gunn, passed for 192 yards and finished with 79 yards on nine carries, including the first four rushing touchdowns of his career.
The Horned Frogs (4-1, 3-0 Mountain West) ran up a 28-0 first-quarter lead, but running back DonTrell Moore pulled New Mexico (3-2, 1-1) back into the game with three touchdowns as the Lobos ran off 28 straight points to tie the game.
Moore finished with 129 yards rushing – his third consecutive 100-yard game – and a career-high 99 receiving. His three touchdowns gave him 50 for his career, breaking Luke Staley’s conference record. He has 42 rushing touchdowns, which also broke the conference mark of Staley, who played for BYU.
But after Kenny Byrd missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt that would have given the Lobos their first lead, TCU drove 66 yards in five plays and went in front for good. Ballard, who was hit hard as he threw, found tight end Chad Andrus alone for a 38-yard TD on fourth-and-1 with 1:47 left in the third quarter.
TCU’s next possession lasted one play. Ballard faked a handoff left and sprinted off right tackle – breaking loose as New Mexico’s Gabriel Fulbright and Mike Mohoric collided – for a 56-yard score.
North Carolina 31, Utah 17
Chapel Hill, N.C. – Matt Baker threw two touchdown passes and Tommy Richardson made two key fumble recoveries in the fourth quarter to help the Tar Heels (2-2) win their second straight game.
Utah (3-2) finished with 378 yards, a far cry from what the North Carolina defense surrendered a year ago (669).
“I thought they played tougher against the run than they did last year,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.
The game turned on a penalty late in the third quarter, after Utah took the opening kickoff and drove for a score on a Brian Johnson touchdown pass that gave the Utes a 14-10 lead. On a second-and-12 at his 32, Baker’s pass to Jaworski Pollack was intercepted by Eric Weddle, who returned it for a touchdown. But Utah was called for roughing the passer, and the momentum reversed in favor of North Carolina.
San Diego St. 31, BYU 10
San Diego – Lynell Hamilton rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Aztecs (2-3, 1-1) over the Cougars (1-3, 0-2).
