For the record: New Mexico is 4-7 overall, 2-5 in the Mountain West.
Streaking: With a 27-20 loss at UNLV, New Mexico has dropped five straight conference road games for the first time since 1995-96.
Who’s hot: Senior Rodney Ferguson rushed for 121 yards to boost his season total to 1,018, his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season.
Who’s not: Redshirt freshman QB Brad Gruner was forced into the starting role when Donovan Porterie blew out his knee midway through the season. Gruner has averaged only 92.6 yards passing a game, completing 52.4 percent of his throws.
Key stat: New Mexico was 3-of-13 in third-down conversions against UNLV, the second-worst defense in the MWC.
FYI: New Mexico is assured of its first losing season since 2000. . . . CSU (vs. New Mexico, at Wyoming), Wyoming (at UNLV, vs. CSU) and UNLV (vs. Wyoming, at San Diego State) must each sweep its last two games to become bowl-eligible. . . . The Lobos won the last two meetings against the Rams on late field goals. . . . Four MWC teams are bowl-eligible for four existing slots. Utah must win out to go to a BCS bowl to open up another bowl slot for the conference.
Injury report: None reported.
Coachspeak: “They could come to practice and just get through practice and go out and lay an egg next week, or they could come to practice with the right attitude of a competitor and prepare well to play and have a chance to win.” — New Mexico coach Rocky Long, on preparing for the final game after losing a chance at bowl eligibility
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
