Sausan Shakerin made a huge impression with his first collegiate run when he broke a couple of tackles for a 46-yard game against San Jose State.

Since then, his season has been a quiet one as injuries then poor performances hurt his efforts.

Saturday, however, he finally got plenty of touches finishing with 16 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown in the Utes' 45-14 win over New Mexico.

"It felt amazing to be back," he said. "College is a new game and everybody is faster, everybody is coming from an all-state high school. I had to find my rhythm."

Flag parade

The Lobos didn't help their cause Saturday by picking up some key penalties.

One roughing the passer call kept Utah's second scoring drive alive on second-and-16 when Jordan Wynn threw an incomplete pass. The Lobos were tagged with a personal foul on the kickoff and two false starts in their drive that stalled on their 31-yard line.

The Lobos were penalized nine times for 81 yards. Utah was penalized four times for 34 yards.

No kicking

Kicker Joe Phillips was 10-for-11 on the season going into Saturday's game, but didn't get a chance at a 46-yarder in the first quarter with the game tied 7-7. The Utes decided to go for it on fourth-and-two. The result was Wynn's first interception that was returned two yards to the Lobos' 14-yard line. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham felt the field goal attempt was too far out of Phillips' range. Phillips made a 24-yarder then missed a 38-yarder.

Injuries

Safety Joe Dale, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, played. ... Receiver David Reed injured his hand in the second half, Whittingham indicated. "We still have to figure out what that is."