TUCSON, Ariz. - Four Wildcat interceptions helped seal a hard-fought victory for Arizona over New Mexico in the ninth Insight.com Bowl, 20-14, before a crowd of 49,385 in the Cats’ house, Arizona Stadium.
UA ran over the Lobos, using a 209-yard running attack featuring the quicker Trung Canidate and the bruising style of Kelvin Eafon on 43 of the team’s 81 plays. Canidate was named the game’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player with 97 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while Eafon earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award for his 75 yards and two touchdowns on 19 totes. Thirteen of his rushes came in the fourth quarter when Arizona used ball possession to turn back New Mexico efforts at a game-winning touchdown.
Arizona picked off four passes by UNM’s Graham Leigh—one in the first quarter by cornerback Chris McAlister, two in the third quarter by backup corner Kelvin Hunter and strong safety Rashee Johnson, and one in the fourth stanza by cornerback Kelly Malveaux, who returned the ball 44 yards just as the Lobos were crossing midfield. It was Malveaux’ first interception of the year. Arizona outside linebacker Jimmy Sprotte earned the bowl’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player honor with nine tackles including four hits for losses of 12 yards. Inside linebacker Marcus Bell was the Cats’ leading tackler with 10.
Arizona coach Dick Tomey gave fifth-year senior QB Brady Batten the start in the game. An injury early in the year cost him a shot at the every-day spot. He played all but the fourth quarter, when the nominal No. 1 guy for most of the year, Ortege Jenkins, came on.
