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Albuquerque, N.M. • The New Mexico Lobos couldn't get the blow-up Lobo head that covers their tunnel to inflate before Saturday's game against the Utes, which prevented the team from running onto the field until it was unceremoniously hauled away like a piece of road kill.

It was a symbolic moment reflecting the state of the New Mexico football program, one that became even worse thanks to the No. 14 Utes.

Utah (3-0, 2-0) added to the Lobos' woes by taking a 56-14 win Saturday in front of 23,940 at University Stadium.

Senior Terrance Cain, starting in place of the injured Jordan Wynn for the second straight game, connected on nine straight passes in the first half and completed his last 11 to lead the Utes in the win.

He finished 20-for-23 for 248 yards and three touchdowns. His completion percentage of 87 percent set a school record, breaking the previous mark held by Brian Johnson. Johnson, now the quarterbacks coach, was 18-for-21 against Utah State in 2005, a 31-7 Utah win.

Cain threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Dallin Rogers in the second quarter, a 75-yard strike to Jereme Brooks and a 33-yarder to DeVonte Christopher in the third quarter.

His final touchdown pass put the Utes up 49-14 with 1:24 remaining in the third. Cain and many other starters remained on the bench after that score, allowing Utah's backups to finish off the Lobos (0-3, 0-1).

As is typical of the Utes in Albuquerque, the game wasn't without its rough moments for Utah. A solid first-quarter drive ended in a fumble by Eddie Wide, and on another drive, Matt Asiata nearly blew his chance at a touchdown run when he fumbled. Tight end Brad Clifford recovered the ball on New Mexico's 2-yard line to give Asiata a chance to redeem himself.

The Utes also had a fumble by receiver Luke Matthews that was returned by a New Mexico defender 27 yards for a third-quarter touchdown.

However, the Utes never self-destructed enough to put the outcome in jeopardy and the Lobos couldn't muster the mojo that has worked against the Utes in the past here. In 2006, the Lobos rallied to beat the Utes 34-31.

"It's nice to have the departure from the usual grind it out, nail-biter down here," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "I reminded the guys at halftime this is the same exact scenario we had in 2006, up 24-3, 21-point lead and we weren't going to let that happen. That was the halftime speech."

The Utes haven't been in the BCS talk much this year despite their ranking and big win over then No. 15 Pitt to start the season. Beating arguably the worst team in Division I football won't win them much credit, either. However, they at least showed Saturday they can pummel the Lobos as well as teams from BCS conferences did.

Oregon and Texas Tech combined to outscore New Mexico 124-17 in its two previous losses.

"It's good to come on the road and beat them like we should," said Brooks, who finished with six catches for 99 yards. "We're still sloppy, we had four fumbles, but we were good enough to get a win."

In contrast to Utah's offensive fireworks, New Mexico was stagnant. The Lobos had just 68 yards in the first half, including 10 in the second quarter to fall behind the Utes.

The Lobos were without their regular starting quarterback, too, with B.R. Holbrook sitting out with a knee injury suffered last week in the 52-17 loss to Texas Tech.

New Mexico started Brad Gruner and also used freshman Tarean Austin, but neither could move the Lobos' offense against the Utes.

lwodraska@sltrib.com Twitter: @sltrib.utes, @lyawodraska