League of her own

New Mexico kicker becomes first woman to score in Division I

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Katie Hnida became the first woman to score in a Division I game when she kicked two extra points for New Mexico in a 72-8 win over Texas State-San Marcos on Saturday night.

Hnida, a 5-foot-10, 140-pound senior, made her first kick with 5:05 left following Hank Baskett's touchdown catch. With her long blond hair protruding from the back of her helmet, Hnida split the uprights to make the score 65-8, then waved her hands in the air.

Hnida also kicked the extra point after the Lobos' final touchdown with 1:21 left.

"I've been kicking for a long time and this is something I've been working for since my freshman or sophomore year in high school when I knew that I wanted to go to Division one and kick," Hnida said. "It's never been about making history or records. It's just about kicking. I love football so much."

Hnida made history last December by becoming the first woman to play in a Division I game when she entered the Las Vegas Bowl against UCLA to attempt an extra point after the Lobos' first score with 8:20 left in the first quarter. That kick was blocked.

Hnida was on Colorado's roster in 1999 as a walk-on, but never got into a game. She walked on at New Mexico prior to last season.