ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Even a change in head coaches didn't do much for New Mexico on Saturday as rival New Mexico State got three first-quarter touchdown passes from quarterback Matt Christian in a 42-28 victory.

It was the first time in more than 40 years that New Mexico State has won three straight in the series. The margin of victory for the Aggies was their largest since 1968.

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On Sept. 25, New Mexico fired third-year head coach Mike Locksley and replaced him with defensive coordinator George Barlow.

Christian finished 16 for 27 for 296 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 101 yards and another TD for NMSU (2-3).

Kenny Turner added 109 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown for the Aggies.

Crusoe Gongbay had two touchdown runs for New Mexico (0-5) and Ty Kirk had 11 catches for 90 yards, giving him consecutive games with double-digit receptions.

``We have a thing on our board that says, `Fast start,' ' Christian said. ``It's one of the keys to being a good offense. It's been a focus for us all year so now we had to come out and do that this week. That's about as fast a start as you can get, really, so we were real happy with that. Nothing wrong with 21-0 in the first quarter.'

New Mexico quarterback B.R. Holbrook said the team tried to ignore the coaching issues to focus on the game.

``Some of the higher-ups made some decisions and as players it affects us greatly, but at the end of the day, we cannot control their decisions,' he said.