Albuquerque, NM -- (Sports Network) - Rodney Ferguson ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts as the New Mexico Lobos defeated the UNLV Rebels, 27-6, in Mountain West Conference action at University Stadium.

Donovan Porterie threw for 199 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-32 tosses for New Mexico (8-4, 5-3 MWC), although he was also picked off twice. Marcus Smith pulled down eight balls for 130 yards and a score, as the Lobos reached the eight-win plateau for just the fourth time since 1965.

Travis Dixon had a rough game under center for UNLV (2-10, 1-7), as he completed just 14-of-38 pass attempts for 135 yards and a interception. Ryan Wolfe hauled in seven passes for 68 yards for the Rebels, who dropped their 15th consecutive MWC road game.

New Mexico opened the game's scoring with a John Sullivan 45-yard field goal just over two minutes into the first quarter.

The Rebels knotted the score late in the first quarter with a 46-yard field goal by Sergio Aguayo.

Aguayo nailed a 37-yard field goal just over a minute into the second quarter to give UNLV its first and only lead at 6-3.

The Lobos responded 24 seconds later, as Porterie threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Smith.

Late in the second quarter, Travis Brown rumbled 26 yards for a touchdown to give New Mexico a 17-6 lead at the break.

Less than three minutes into the second half, the Lobos extended their lead behind a one-yard touchdown run by Ferguson.

Sullivan hit a 45-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the game, as New Mexico notched the 27-6 victory.

The Lobos' defense was outstanding in this game, as they forced two turnovers and recorded three sacks, in addition to holding UNLV to just 233 yards of total offense.