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Logan • Not even the return of Chuckie Keeton could save Utah State at New Mexico.
Keeton, the Aggies' highly decorated and injury-plagued senior quarterback, played briefly for the first time since Sept. 19 in Saturday's 14-13 loss to the Lobos.
Keeton entered the game in the second quarter after New Mexico's Kimmie Carson was called for a roughing the passer penalty on starting quarterback Kent Myers.
UNM was penalized 15 yards for the dangerous helmet-to-helmet hit. After the play, the Lobos' Donnie White was also called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
On Sunday afternoon, the Mountain West Conference suspended Carson for "forcible contact to the head and neck of a defenseless player." He will miss the first half of New Mexico's game against Boise State on Saturday.
Following the play, Utah State ended up with a first down on the Lobo 15-yard line when Keeton replaced Myers, who stayed down after Carson's hit but eventually walked off the field.
On first down, Keeton ran for one yard. On second down, Devante Mays rushed for four more yards.
On third-and-5, Keeton passed to Hunter Sharp, but he was stopped after a gain of three yards. Brock Warren salvaged the drive with a 25-yard field goal that made it 7-3 with 6:10 remaining in the half.
Myers returned on Utah State's next series and Keeton did not play again.
A sophomore who is now 9-3 as a starter at Utah State, Myers played decently against the Lobos. He completed 13 of 24 passes for 213 yards despite a cold 22-mph wind.
"We moved the ball well," said receiver Andrew Rodriguez. "It was just a matter of [not] finishing our drives. That's one of those things we'll have to improve."
Asked about the difficult weather conditions, he said, "It was a little windy. … But it's one of those things. Being up in the mountains, that's how it is. It can be windy."
Going forward, Myers will presumably continue to start over Keeton, with Damion Hobbs getting some playing time when the Aggies use a wildcat formation.
Utah State's biggest problem, of course, is the loss to New Mexico dropped the Aggies out of first place in the Mountain Division.
At 5-4 in overall and 4-2 in the Mountain West Conference, they find themselves one-half game behind Boise State and Air Force in the race for a berth in the league championship game on Dec. 5.
As it stands, Utah State must win its final two conference games against Air Force and Nevada and hope Boise State loses one of its final three conference games.
The Broncos' remaining schedule includes games against New Mexico, Air Force and San Jose State. They will likely be favored by at least two touchdowns in all three.
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
R Utah State rushed 37 times for a season-low total of 78 yards during its 14-13 loss at New Mexico.
• The Lobos' first score came on an 86-yard pass — the longest allowed by the Aggies since 1995.
• Utah State had two penalties, but one (holding) negated a 61-yard pass play in the fourth quarter. —
Utah State at Air Force
P Saturday, noon
Falcon Stadium
TV: ESPN3