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Logan • If there was an ominous aspect to Utah State's lopsided 58-27 win over Wyoming last week, it was the Cowboys' ability to run the football.

The bad news for USU?

On Saturday afternoon, the Aggies visits New Mexico, which owns the No. 2 rushing offense in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos average 248.4 yards on the ground.

"They have an ability to hit a home run," coach Matt Wells said. "… I absolutely know we will get their best shot."

Against Wyoming, Utah State's defense allowed 270 rushing yards, including 201 on 26 carries by sophomore Brian Hill. It didn't impact the outcome, but the Cowboys held the ball for 33 minutes — part of the reason the Aggies didn't take control of the game until the final seconds of the first half.

"We didn't stop the run and that's the No. 1 thing we have to do," said senior linebacker Torrey Green. "Overall, we did OK, but we didn't play defense the way we want to play."

Just a week earlier, Utah State's inability to stop San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey was a crucial factor in the Aztecs' 48-14 victory at Qualcomm Stadium. He gained 181 yards on 23 carries. San Diego State finished with 336 yards on the ground and owned the ball for 37:15.

"Missed tackles, for sure, have been the biggest issue we've had," Green said. "Not wrapping up. Not rallying to the ball. And when you have good backs like San Diego and Wyoming, that's big."

Wells agreed.

"The last couple of weeks is not what we're used to around here, from a defensive standpoint," he said. "It doesn't meet our standards. Our players know it. Our coaches know it. It's being addressed."

Utah State played the last 21/2 games without senior nose guard David Moala, who suffered a sprained knee in the Aggies' 52-26 win over Boise State on Oct. 16. Junior defensive end Ricky Ali'ifua also missed the Wyoming game after injuring his shoulder against San Diego State.

Has the loss of Moala and Ali'ifua contributed to Utah State's inability to stop the run?

"It could play a factor," Green said. "But as we always say, "Next guy up. Next man up.' Everybody has to do their own job … so we can play Utah State defense."

Wells has a policy of not discussing injured players or their week-to-week availability unless it's a season-ending situation. But he might have dropped a hint about the possible return of Moala and/or Ali'ifua during his weekly news conference on Monday morning.

While discussing the Aggies' lack of defense against the run, he smiled slightly and said, "It's being healed. So we will be better in that area, I believe." —

Utah State at New Mexico

P Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

TV • CBS Sports Network

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USU update

• Utah State, which is 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the Mountain West Conference, visits New Mexico on Saturday.

• The Aggies have allowed 606 rushing yards in back-to-back games against Wyoming and San Diego State.

• The Cowboys' Brian Hill ran for 201 yards against USU. The Aztecs' Donnel Pumphrey rushed for 181 yards. —

Utah State at New Mexico

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

TV • CBS Sports Network