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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 2:49 p.m., Saturday, November 17, 2007

CFB: Utah State snaps 16-game skid, defeats NMSU

Associated Press

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Rob Myers had not won a game since his sophomore year at Utah State and the junior tight end was ready to end the winless streak.

He seized the opportunity today, catching two touchdown passes to lead Utah State in a 35-17 win over New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference.

"I completely forget what this felt like, but now it's coming back," Meyers said. "We finally got one and this is awesome."

Myers caught four passes from Leon Jackson for a total of 117 yards and Utah State (1-10, 1-6) ended its 16-game losing streak as NMSU fell to 4-8 overall and 1-6.

Myers' first TD catch was on a 26-yard pass at the end of a 67-yard drive in the third quarter that put Utah State up 14-10.

Myers' had a nearly identical 24-yard TD pass at the beginning of the fourth quarter, infusing Utah State and increasing the team's lead.

"They were leaving the middle of the field open, we do those plays specifically for that," Meyers said. "They bring the safety way over and it leaves me wide open."

NMSU freshman receiver Wes Neiman followed Myers' back-to-back TDs with a seven-yard pass to narrow the deficit to 21-17.

Utah State receiver Kevin Robinson answered 12 seconds later with an 82-yard kick return for a touchdown to extend the lead to 28-17. The return was Robinson's third this year, making him the national leader in kick returns for a score. Combined with his one punt return for a TD, the senior receiver has four total returns for a score.

"The guys blocked great. There was a little hole, and I just took a shot at it," Robinson said. "I actually got through the hole clean, and it was just me and the kicker."

Along with performance by Myers and Robinson, Utah State was anchored by a steady performance by Jackson, who went 14-20 for 189 yards and did not give up an interception.

"Our big-time players made some big-time plays," said Utah State coach Brent Guy. "I was really proud of all sides because we had to be resilient today, and we did a good job."

NMSU gave up two interceptions in the second half, resulting in 30 yards for Utah State.

Despite taking a loss, NMSU quarterback Chase Holbrook threw for 367 yards and completed 42-of-58 attempts as he clocked 8,000 offensive yards.

Holbrook broke the NMSU record for most attempts in a career with a completion to Brandon Perez in the fourth quarter. The senior quarterback is 202 yards shy of the school record for total offensive yards held by Cody Ledbetter.

"It's bitter sweet," Holbrook said. "It is cool to look at the stats, but when it comes down to it, look at the record. My record as a starter is not that good."

NMSU receiver A.J. Harris, who caught 12 passes for 68 yards, also earned a school record. With his 11th catch of the game, Harris logged 183 career catches, breaking the NMSU record previously held by Duane Gregory, who had 181 catches.

"He has another year left, and he is a great kid," said NMSU coach Hal Mumme. "He got hurt in the first half of the year, and now he is well and this is good for him."