Arizona Easily Defeats New Mexico State, 30-0

TUCSON —  Arizona’s defense was expected to shut down New Mexico State Saturday night, and it did.

The 17th-ranked Wildcats shut out the Aggies, 30-0, allowing only 18 yards rushing in 18 carries through the first three quarters.

New Mexico State finished with 35 rushing yards in 27 carries and a season-low 98 total yards.

Arizona came into the game allowing only 57.7 yards a game on the ground, tops in the nation. The Wildcats’ defense is ranked eighth overall.

The Wildcats (5-2-1) were also impressive on offense against the Aggies (4-5) of the Big West Conference.

Quarterback George Malauulu threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and Charles Levy added two more on runs of one yard and 15 yards.

Arizona totaled a season-high 464 yards, rushing for 327 and passing for another 137.

The only downside for Arizona was 11 penalties for 90 yards.

The shutout was Arizona’s first since beating Eastern Michigan, 55-0, in 1988.

Arizona’s defense set up a first-half touchdown with an interception and also recorded a safety.

In the fourth quarter, when New Mexico drove from its 23 in its only scoring threat against a reserve unit, Wildcat defensive back James Francis picked off another Charlie Puleri pass at the Arizona two.

The Wildcats jumped on top quickly, scoring on a 75-yard, eight-play drive after the opening kickoff. Malauulu scored on a one-yard keeper three plays after hitting Cary Taylor on a 42-yard pass play to the Aggie eight.