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Albuquerque, N.M. • In a game with more twists and turns than the nearby Rio Grande, Utah State likely said adios to its Mountain West Conference championship hopes Saturday.

Opportunistic New Mexico took advantage of critical Aggie mistakes — especially down the stretch — and the Lobos escaped University Stadium with a 14-13 victory.

Utah's final chance came with 59 seconds remaining when Brock Warren, who had made seven straight field goals this season, lined up for a 41-harder that would have given the Aggies their first lead.

Warren didn't hit the kick solidly, however, and the ball fluttered wide to the right, setting off a celebration among the few thousand fans who remained on a blustery 45-degree afternoon.

"It was a hard-fought college football game," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "Our kids fought their brains out. But we didn't play well at times, in certain areas."

The Aggies' first big mistake came early in the second half, when Andrew Rodriguez fumbled a punt. New Mexico recovered at the Utah State 3-yard line and scored on its first play following the turnover to make it 14-3.

"I initially thought I had it secured," Rodriguez said. "I didn't think it was a fumble. But he got under my elbow and raked it out. I don't know. It was a mistake I don't usually make."

With 5:55 left in the third quarter, Rodriguez made amends with a diving catch on a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kent Myers.

"I knew I had to redeem myself for the fumble," Rodriguez said. "... It was a double move and the safety bit on the first move. That left me wide open and Kent made a great pass."

Unfortunately for Utah State, the touchdown only set the stage for bitter disappointment.

After Warren's 41-yard field goal with 11:47 remaining made it 14-13, the Aggies failed to convert scoring opportunities on their final three possessions.

First, backup quarterback Damion Hobbs dropped a snap from center and failed to quickly fall on the ball at the New Mexico 22. The Lobos recovered and bought time by punting.

Next, Myers' 61-yard screen pass to LaJuan Hunt was called back because of a holding penalty. Instead of first down at the New Mexico 22, the Aggies ended up punting again.

Finally, Utah State drove from its own 35 to the Lobo 24 in less than two minutes. After Myers' first-down pass to Hunter Sharp in the end zone fell incomplete, two running plays positioned the ball in the middle of the field. But Warren couldn't connect.

"It's real frustrating because we had too many missed opportunities," Wells said. "You can't give a team that many chances and we didn't take advantage of ours, whether it's fumbles down in the red zone or on a punt return. … But give credit to them. They won the game. They played really well."

Asked about the final drive, Rodriguez said: "Everybody was positive. We moved the ball well. Everyone was hoping for the last kick. As an offense, you're hoping [to score] a touchdown. You don't want to put the game in a kicker's hands. But, at the same time, it's a team sport. There's offense, defense and special teams and, at times, we were short."

The loss dropped Utah State to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the Mountain West Conference. The Aggies are one-half game behind Boise State and Air Force in the Mountain Division.