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The Lobos didn't panic.

The University of New Mexico (4-4, 2-2) trailed Utah (4-4, 2-2) 24-3 with 4:05 left in the second quarter Thursday night at University Stadium and seemed doomed to another ugly home loss.

The Lobos scored a quick touchdown and were down 24-10, but a win still seemed like a longshot behind an offense struggling to put points on the board all season.

"That last touchdown before halftime gave us confidence, and we were just focused in the locker room," redshirt freshman quarterback Donovan Porterie said. "We were determined to come back and knew our offense could do it. A lot of people have doubted us, but we knew it would all come together."

New Mexico drew on its 14-point come-from-behind win over UNLV last week to pull off an even more impressive 21-point comeback against the Utes.

The Lobos scored 24 second-half points to earn a 34-31 win. It tied the biggest comeback in school history.

"We were quiet, but we knew what had to be done," junior wide receiver Marcus Smith said. "We were angry more than anything else and weren't about to go out like this."

New Mexico leaned on its best offensive performance of the season to earn the victory.

Porterie went 19-of-33 passing for 350 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He was not sacked. It was the first time the UNM offensive line did not allow a sack this season.

Junior wide receiver Travis Brown had nine catches for 154 yards and one touchdown, while Smith added four catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

"We knew they were in man coverage and we would be open," Smith said. "It was just a matter of everyone getting on the same page and getting the ball to open guys. It's just going to get better from here."

The Lobos also got a lift from the running game. Sophomore running back Rodney Ferguson ran for 81 yards on 16 carries. Junior running back Martelius Epps added 25 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

New Mexico finished with 467 yards total offense, a season high.

The Lobos' defense struggled to contain Utah's spread offense in the first half, but UNM coach Rocky Long chalked much it up to bad field position for the defense. He said the Lobos' defense performed poorly only on the Utes' 95-yard touchdown drive with 4:05 left in the second quarter.

Senior linebacker Quincy Black said UNM was determined to pick up more stops in the second half.

"We really didn't change much at halftime, it was just about us focusing and getting support from our offense," Black said.

The Lobos allowed only one second-half touchdown, which was set up by Porterie's sole interception. Utah's Brett Ratliff hit Brian Hernandez for a three-yard touchdown pass to pull the Utes ahead 31-27 with 6:18 left.

Porterie took the field and led the Lobos on a 10-play, 78-yard touchdown drive that spanned 3:58 seconds.

"We never doubted (Porterie)," Black said. "I knew as soon as he hit Marcus for 18 yards, their defense wasn't going to stop us. We weren't going to be denied tonight."

New Mexico came up with a final stop and walked away with the win.

Ratliff finished 18-of-31 for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Utes' Derrek Richards caught six passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. Utah's running back Darryl Poston ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

The Lobos get three days off before coming back to prepare for their next game at Colorado State Saturday, Oct. 28.

"This feels so good," Smith said. "We're going to enjoy it, but we're looking for more next week. We want to keep getting better."