Arizona Is Too Much for New Mexico State : Nonconference: Wildcats score 31 first-half points, give up 83 yards rushing in 44-0 victory.

TUCSON, Ariz. —  Ontiwaun Carter ran for two touchdowns and Richard Dice caught two touchdown passes Saturday night as ninth-ranked Arizona scored 31 first-half points and went on to rout New Mexico State, 44-0.

New Mexico State made it across midfield only twice in each half.

The Aggies threatened only once, driving to Arizona’s six-yard line on its final possession after quarterback Cody Ledbetter completed passes of 34 and 38 yards. But Ledbetter’s fourth-and-goal pass into the end zone was broken up.

The Aggies missed on their only other scoring opportunity, a 47-yard field-goal attempt by Bubba Culin shortly before halftime.

Arizona (2-0), the nation’s leading team in 1993 against the run, gave up 83 yards rushing and 231 total.

Arizona’s 561 yards on offense, including 334 rushing, surpassed its 1993 season best of 477 against Oregon State.

Carter, who carried 18 times for 149 yards to move into third on Arizona’s all-time rushing list with 2,594 yards, ran for 131 in the first half. He scored touchdowns on runs of five and seven yards as the Wildcats opened a 24-0 lead. His longest run was a 45-yard cutback in the second quarter.

Arizona scored on its first possession, with Dice converting a pass from Dan White into a 57-yard touchdown.

Dice caught four passes for 122 yards in the first half, his last a 38-yard touchdown at the right flag 21 seconds before intermission.

Arizona gained 339 yards in the half--153 on White’s passing--as New Mexico State (0-2) fell behind, 31-0.