LARAMIE — TCU found its running game to be both a blessing and curse against Wyoming.
The Horned Frogs rushed for a season-high 390 yards and four touchdowns in beating Wyoming 31-20 on Saturday for its fourth win a row.
But TCU also lost four fumbles, including two inside Wyoming’s 10-yard line.
“We were lucky,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said. “You got to protect the football; we didn’t do a good job of that. We won’t be able to win the game next week if we don’t protect the football.”
The Horned Frogs, who travel to No. 5 Boise State next weekend, extended their record Mountain West Conference win streak to 21 games and tied the league record for consecutive conference road wins at 11. BYU, which is no longer a member of the Mountain West, won 11 straight from 2005-07.
Ed Wesley rushed for 120 yards and two TDs, and Waymon James added a career-high 181 yards on the ground to lead TCU.
TCU gained a season-high 617 yards total offense.
Brett Smith led Wyoming with 210 yards and two touchdowns passing and 68 yards rushing before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit from TCU’s Tank Carder.
Smith is expected to play next week when Wyoming travels to Air Force.
San Diego St. 35, New Mexico 7
SAN DIEGO — Walter Kazee ran for a career-high three touchdowns, and the Lobos, one of only two winless FBS teams, stretched their losing streak to 12 games.
New Mexico’s last victory came Nov. 6, 2010 against Wyoming.
