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Mike Thomas does more with less.

Thomas, an Arizona Wildcats' senior wide receiver, is one of the few players in the Pac-10, if not the country, who is capable of turning 2-yard catches into big plays.

Thomas' 43-yard touchdown catch — a 2-yard catch and 41-yard run — was the biggest highlight in the Wildcats' 36-28 loss to New Mexico over the weekend, and one of the most impressive plays of his distinguished career.

"He's awful explosive — probably one of the most explosive guys I've seen," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "What he did Saturday — caught the same (pass) and split a defense like that, it's very hard to do."

Thomas had 12 catches for 136 yards against New Mexico. The performance is becoming routine.

Thomas, a DeSoto, Texas, native, leads all Pac-10 Conference receivers with 8.7 catches and 100.7 yards per game and is fourth with 138.7 yards of total offense per game. He has become the No. 1 weapon in the Air Zona passing offense and, quietly, one of the nation's top wide receivers.

Thomas, 21, is second nationally among active receivers with 211 career receptions; Jarrett Dillard of Rice has 16 more.

Thomas is 48 catches from becoming the conference's all-time receptions leader. At his current pace, Thomas would break the record Oct.27 against Washington.

"That sounds beautiful," he said.

The key to Thomas' success, coaches said, is strength and balance. Thomas has added 25 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-8-inch frame since coming to the UA in 2005. He has also worked with strength coach Corey Edmond on improving his balance.

And Thomas has switched positions, moving from the outside to slot receiver's spot for his senior season. The position switch allows Thomas to run through holes and maneuver as he gets upfield. His improved balance allows him to take hits as glancing blows.

Take Saturday's touchdown catch: Thomas caught a 2-yard pass from quarterback Willie Tuitama on the short side of the field.

Freshman Juron Criner provided a crushing block, giving Thomas a hole to run through. He split two defenders, juked UNM's DeAndre Wright at the 10-yard line and — after getting hit by the Lobos' Blake Ligon at the 5 — stumbled, spun and fell backside-first into the end zone.

"You're not going to knock him down, he's so physical," Stoops said.

The same cannot be said for the UA, which was manhandled in a 36-28 loss in Albuquerque. The Wildcats will head to Los Angeles this weekend for their Pac-10 opener with UCLA.

Arizona could take a lesson from its best offensive player — take hits but keep running.

"We ain't got no choice but to handle it," Thomas said. "That's what the great teams do, and we want to be a great team."