ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick entered Saturday’s game at New Mexico fully aware that he and his offense needed to be better on third and fourth downs.

The Broncos were a dismal 36.9 percent (17-of-46) on those downs in their first three games.

“Third down is money down. You’ve got to be able to on third down make some things happen,” Southwick said last week.

Against the Lobos, he delivered. The Broncos converted 8-of-13 third-down tries and were 0-for-1 on fourth down (57.1 percent overall).

Much of the damage was done by Southwick, who completed 7-of-10 passes on third down for 71 yards and seven first downs, including a touchdown.

“I’ve felt very comfortable all year in third down with our play calls and what we’re trying to get done,” said Southwick, who set career highs in passing yards (311) and touchdowns (three).

Southwick was 24-of-34 overall in the victory against the Lobos. His numbers could have been even better, except for a few drops.

“Joe did a nice job. I thought he took a big step forward. We had a couple drops, blatant drops, that I think our guys are better than that,” coach Chris Petersen said.

Southwick, in his fourth game as the Broncos’ starter, also fared better in the red zone. Boise State had scored three touchdowns on 12 drives inside their opponents’ 20.

But all three of Southwick’s touchdown passes came in the red zone — a 10-yarder to Chris Potter, a 9-yarder to Matt Miller and an 8-yarder to Shane Williams-Rhodes.

Southwick wasn’t perfect in the red zone. He missed fullback Dan Paul on a fourth-and-1 play from the New Mexico 4. Southwick rolled right and tried to lob the pass over Paul. Southwick pounded the turf in frustration after the incomplete pass.

“We’ve got to hit that,” Petersen said.

Southwick, who did not have a turnover and took just one sack, nearly threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter. On third-and-8, he tried to get the ball to Potter and New Mexico’s DeShawn Mills stepped in front of it. It went off Mills’ hands.

“He’s got to read that corner. He’s got to see that flat defender and he’s got to see that corner if he’s squatting,” Petersen said.

Quarterback, especially at Boise State, is a demanding spot. Improve at one spot and there’s room to grow somewhere else.

“We moved the ball great all night, but it just comes down to finishing,’’ Southwick said.