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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Quarterback Alex Smith ran for a pair of touchdowns and the defense made sure there was no repeat of last year's meltdown as No. 14 Utah posted a 28-7 Mountain West Conference victory over New Mexico.
Utah (5-0, 2-0 MWC) avoided a third straight loss to the Lobos and avenged its only conference loss from a year ago, a 47-35 setback.
Smith's first TD run, a three-yarder, gave Utah a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Paris Warren scored on a seven-yard TD run and Smith added his second TD to give the Utes a 21-7 lead at the half.
The Lobos (2-3, 1-1) were never able to generate any offense as Tyler Gaus had more punts (14) than his teammates managed first downs (8) or pass completions (7).
"They are a good football team and we stopped the run," Utah coach Urban Meyer said. "We set out to stop the run and I think it is one of the best offensive lines in the conference, if not the best. So I was very pleased with the way we controlled the line of scrimmage."
New Mexico's only touchdown came on a questionable play late in the first quarter. Gabriel Fulbright scooped up a fumble by Smith and raced 68 yards for a TD that tied the score, 7-7.
Smith, who completed 14-of-28 passes for 167 yards, was hit by New Mexico defensive end Michael Tuohy while his arm appeared to be moving forward in an attempt to pass. The officials never whistled the play dead, and Fulbright picked up the loose ball and was off to the races.
Steve Savoy, who caught 11 passes for 150 yards, capped the scoring with a 10-yard TD run with 9:06 to play.
Utah has now won nine straight games dating to last season and is off to its best start since 1994, when it won its first eight games and finished 10-2.
Utah's defense, which surrendered 407 rushing yards in last year's loss, allowed only 74 on the ground and 157 total while forcing two turnovers and recording three sacks.
"The amount of yards in the first half was over 300 and they had 90, and that's against the top defense," Meyer said. "That's the thing I was most impressed with because New Mexico beat us last year up front offensively and defensively."
New Mexico's Kole McKamey was harassed all game and was just 7-of-22 for 83 yards and an interception.
"There were a couple of plays he could have checked us out of but not much," New Mexico coach Rocky Long said. "It's hard to be a quarterback when you are running for your life."
This year it was Utah controlling the ground game with 278 yards. Quinto Ganther had 22 carries for 109 yards and Marty Johnson added 11 for 102.
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