ALBUQUERQUE- The Texas A&M football team has knocked off New Mexico, 28-22, in Albuquerque.

Aggie quarterback Stephen McGee left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury.

Jerrod Johnson completed a pair of touchdown tosses to Jeff Fuller in the first 30 minutes.

Lexington product Jordan Peterson scored the first points of the day on an interception return.

The Ags padded their advantage in the fourth quarter with a scoring pass from Johnson to Jamie McCoy.

It was 28-to-10 at that juncture, but the Lobos scored twice to make it closer at the end.

The Men in Maroon will host the Miami Hurricanes in two weeks.

BENNETT MAKES HIS P.O.W. CASE --- Texas A&M’s Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week nominee Michael Bennett turned in an all-around strong game for the Aggies. Bennett, the older brother of Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett, contributed a 37-yard fumble return that set up a touchdown, 2.5 tackles for a loss of nine yards, and led both teams with nine tackles in the Aggies’ 28-22 victory over New Mexico.

TURNOVERS TURN TIDE --- The Aggies won their ninth consecutive game when winning the turnover battle with four takeaways and only one turnover against the Lobos. The Aggies turned three of the takeaways into touchdowns to score 21 of their 28 points after gaining a turnover.

NON-CONFERENCE ROAD VICTORY --- The Aggies won their first non-conference road game since a 14-12 victory over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field in 2002 in R.C. Slocum’s last season. (A&M also beat Army 28-24 in 2006 in a game that was Army’s “home” game, but it was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio).

“PICK-SIX” DROUGHT ENDS --- Jordan Peterson’s 48-yard interception return for a touchdown was the Aggies’ first “pick-six” interception return since Justin Warren’s 23-yarder against Mountain West opponent Wyoming at Kyle Field in 2004, a span of 48 games. It was A&M’s first defensive touchdown of any kind since Jonte Buhl’s 98-yard fumble return against Texas in Austin in 2004 (39 games). It was the Aggies’ first non-offensive touchdown of any kind since Jaxson Appel’s 1-yard TD return of Amos Gbunblee’s punt block against SMU in 2005 (36 games).

LONG DRIVE --- The Aggies put a dagger in the Lobos with a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead. It drained 5 minutes, 29 seconds off the clock. It was the Aggies’ longest of the drive of the season, and the longest since an 18-play, 93-yard drive against Penn State in the Alamo Bowl that resulted in a field goal.

JOHNSON’S IN THE GAME --- Sophomore Jerrod Johnson shined in the first meaningful action at quarterback of his career after starter Stephen McGee left the game with a sprained right (throwing) shoulder. Johnson finished the game with 124 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-19 passing. It was the first three-TD passing game for an Aggie quarterback since McGee threw three touchdown strikes against Louisiana Tech in 2006.

ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR BRANTLY --- Ray Guy Award candidate Justin Brantly averaged 44.3 yards on seven punts, including a 61-yarder. He put three of his punts inside the 20. It was Brantly’s sixth straight game with a 44.0 or better punt average.

FIRSTS --- True freshman Jeff Fuller’s 21-yard touchdown catch from Jerrod Johnson was the first of Fuller’s career and the Aggies’ first passing touchdown of the season. +++ Sophomore Terrence McCoy made the first start of his career at wide receiver. Terrence’s older brother, Jamie McCoy, had his first career touchdown on a 9-yard grab in the fourth quarter.

MISCELLANEOUS --- Quarterback Stephen McGee, who started the last 29 games for A&M, left the game with a sprained right shoulder and did not return. Starting running back Mike Goodson left the game with a sprained right knee but did return. +++ Since 2000, the Aggies are 6-1 against Mountain West opponents with victories over New Mexico, TCU, Utah and Wyoming (two) +++ Game captains were senior Alton Dixon (defense), junior Kevin Matthews (offense) and sophomore Kenny Brown (special teams) … the 12th Man was junior Derek Dumas, a junior from Crawford, Texas. It was his second straight start and the second of his career. Dumas also saw snaps on defense.