A clever Lobo offense, aided by six BYU turnovers, scared the Cougars. A missed New Mexico extra point on UNM's final fourth quarter score breathed new life into BYU.
New Mexico scored four times in the second half to take a 17-30 lead, but the Cougars scored on their last two possessions of the game.
Faced with a crucial fourth and 10, Steve Lindsley hit Mark Bellini for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Lindsley then gambled with a 47-yard bomb to Rich Zayas to set up the Cougars' final score, with Lakei Heimuli making the TD plunge. BYU's defense stopped UNM's final two possessions.
Lindsley sat out the first two series of the second half due to a mild concussion. And wide receiver Dave Miles suffered two broken ribs in the game.
BYU fell in the UPI ranking to 13th 11th in AP. BYU now 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the WAC.
Source:1987 BYU media guide