LAS CRUCES, NM – Football returned to the City of Crosses on Tuesday night as NM State hosted a thriller on the national airwaves. As time expired in regulation, the Aggies blocked an LA Tech field goal to send the game to overtime, where they ultimately earned a 33–30 victory. Mike WashingtonJr. drove into the southeast corner of the end zone to give the Aggies their first CUSA win of 2024.

That night, the Aggies were fueled by a defensive performance that included eight tackles for loss, five sacks and three pass breakups. This included a dominant four-sack display from the defensive end Kale Edwards. Offensively, the Aggies got a spark from Brandon Nuñez who led the Aggies on a fourth-quarter drive to tie the game and scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first FBS appearance of his career.

FIRST QUARTER

The start of the game was controlled by the team’s defense as the two sides had combined for just 63 yards in the first quarter. This included 73 from the Aggies, as the NM State defense held the Bulldogs to negative 10 yards in the first period. For the Aggies, Montana’s transfer produced a few highlights Kale Edwards who notched a pair of sacks during the first quarter, marking the first two sacks of his Aggie career.

The Aggies were able to find some offensive success as they totaled five first downs in the first 15 minutes of action. Ultimately, the only blemish of the half came on an LA Tech punt when the Aggies muffed the kick and let the Bulldogs pounce on it. Despite the muffed punt being recovered in plus territory, an unnecessary roughness penalty would push LA Tech back to its own 44, where it would run just four plays before turning the ball back over to the Aggies.

Towards the end of the half the Aggies showed signs of a promising drive as they used 10 plays to work the ball to the LA Tech 46 yard line, but the drive would last just one play in the second quarter before they were needed . to take it away.

Scoring plays: None

End Q1: LA Tech 0, NM State 0

SECOND QUARTER

NM State would eventually find the end zone in the second quarter Parker Awad found a line TJ Proud who blasted his way past all of LA Tech’s defenders to score the first touchdown of his Aggie career.

After the Aggie scoring drive, LA Tech responded with a touchdown drive of its own as it used 15 plays to drive 75 yards downfield and into the end zone to tie the score at seven points via a 7-yard passing touchdown . NM State would then fall victim to the second three-and-out of the night, putting a tired Aggie defense back on the field.

LA Tech would rise to the occasion as it produced its second straight touchdown drive and took a 14-point lead with one minute and 12 seconds left in the period.

Using their rushing attack, the Aggies would gain 20 yards and work the ball near midfield while using 42 seconds of the clock. After a false start that pushed the Aggies back five yards, NM State would take advantage of a 15-yard penalty resulting from a Bulldog defender losing his helmet and continuing the chase. Parker Awad in the backfield. This would put the Aggies at LA Tech’s 42-yard line.

Two plays later, Awad would find Pride to move the ball to the Bulldog 31-yard line to set up a field goal attempt with nine seconds left on the clock. Aggie kicker Abraham Montaño continued his stellar season as he connected from 48 yards out to improve to 9 of 10 on the year and pull the Aggies within four points heading into the break.

Scoring plays: NMSU – T. Pride 53-yard receiving touchdown (kick by A. Montaño); LT – T. Edwards 7-yard receiving touchdown (kick by B. Buchanan); LT – O. Wiggins 1-yard rushing touchdown (kick by B. Buchanan); NMSU – A. Montaño 48-yard field goal

End of Q2: LA Tech 14, NM State 10

THIRD QUARTER

The NM State defense came out of the locker room with some extra details highlighted as LA Tech punted the ball away to the Aggies on four straight pass plays, including the final possession that ended in a pass breakup for Keonte Glinton.

NM State would then put forth its best offensive possession of the game as it would go 88 yards in 11 plays to drive the ball into the end zone and regain the lead. A reception 20 meters in front Seth McGowan on third down started the drive before a 45 yard pass to P.J. Johnson III later in possession the Aggies would find themselves on the LA Tech 10 yard line. This would mark the longest reception of Johnson III’s career.

On the next play, the Aggies would unveil a new offensive formation that brought Brandon Nuñez onto the field for the first time in his Aggie career. After a handoff on his first play, Nuñez carried the ball into the end zone on the next play to push the Aggies back in front.

Scoring plays: NMSU – B. Nuñez 7-yard rushing touchdown (kick by A. Montaño)

End of Q3: LA Tech 14, NM State 17

FOURTH QUARTER

LA Tech would rattle off its second long drive of the night as it took 14 snaps to carry the ball into the final quarter. However, NM State’s defense would hold its ground as it forced an LA Tech field goal. Although low and wobbly, the 41-yard attempt split the uprights to tie the game at 17 apiece.

With the Aggies unable to move the ball on their next drive, LA Tech would get the ball back less than two minutes later. The Bulldogs would then generate their third 10-play drive of the game to work the ball into the end zone after an 80-yard, five-minute, 47-second drive.

The Aggies would get the ball back with just under five minutes left on the clock and Head Coach Tony Sanchez made the decision to put the ball in the hands of Brandon Nuñez, who led the Aggies 75 yards down the field before rushing in the tying touchdown with 1:41 left on the clock.

With a chance to tie the game, LA Tech put together a drive that ended at the Aggie 9-yard line – setting up the Bulldog kicker for a potential game winner from 27 yards out. With a successful snap and grab, the ball left the foot of Buck Buchanan and, before crossing the line of scrimmage, a defensive tackle. Naki Fahina blocked the kick with his right hand to keep the game tied at 24 and ultimately send the game into overtime.

Scoring plays: LT – B. Buchanan 41-yard field goal; LT – T. Edwards 15-yard touchdown reception (kick by B. Buchanan); B. Nuñez 4-yard rush (kick by A. Montaño)

End of Regulation: LA Tech 24, NM State 24

OVERTIME

In the first overtime period, the Aggies got the ball first but couldn’t generate much movement, ultimately settling for a 38-yard attempt. Abraham Montaño stayed perfect to give the Aggies a three-point lead before sending their defense onto the field.

NM State then came up with a necessary stop on the next possession to force LA Tech to score a field goal of its own to send the game to double overtime. The Bulldog kicker would split the uprights from 37 yards out to extend the play.

In the second overtime, the defense once again built a wall to allow LA Tech to settle for a field goal from 36 yards out. After the Bulldogs made the field goal, NM State would get the ball back with the opportunity to win or tie the game.

The Aggies’ second overtime drive was highlighted by a jump-ball catch from Kordell David putting the Aggies on LA Tech’s six-yard line. From there, Mike Washington Jr. would run untouched down the right side of the field into the end zone to cement the Aggie victory.

Scoring plays: NMSU – A. Montaño 38-yard field goal (OT1); LT – B. Buchanan 37-yard field goal (OT1); LT – B. Buchanan 36-yard field goal (OT2); NMSU – M. Washington Jr. 4-yard rushing touchdown (OT2)

Finals – 2OT: LA Tech 30, NM State 33

NEXT

The Aggies will get a much-needed reset as they get 13 days off before traveling to Miami to take on FIU on Oct. 29. The Aggies and Panthers kick off at 5:00 PM MT and the game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network from Pitbull Stadium.

For complete coverage of the NM State football program, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).

Remarkable

• In its last 13 home games, NM State now has a 10-3 (.769) mark, including a 5-1 record in CUSA games.
• For the fourth time this season, the Aggies scored the first points of the game TJ Pride’s touchdown put the Aggies ahead 7-0 in the second quarter.
• With eight tackles for loss, the Crimson & White set a season high and surpassed their Sam Houston mark of 6.0.
• Aggie Memorial Stadium last hosted an overtime affair on Halloween night in 2015, when they defeated Idaho by a score of 55-48.
• Prior to Edwards’ Kale outstanding performance, last time an Aggie recorded at least 3.5 sacks in a single game was Cedric Wilcots II vs. Idaho, November 25, 2017
• NM State last recorded five or more team sacks against Liberty on October 6, 2018.
• Dakerric Hobbs scored a career-best eight tackles in the win.
• Tyler Martinez tied his career high with 12 total tackles – a mark he also reached in the Aggies’ last home appearance.
• Seth McGowan lifted the rock a career-high 17 times and produced 71 yards on the ground.
• Brandon Nuñez set a host of career highs at the FBS level, including six rushes for 30 yards and two touchdowns. The junior was 4-7 through the air and had 49 passing yards, including 33 on the Aggies’ final line to tie the game.
• TJ Proud set two career highs with 4 catches and 69 yards, while notching his first collegiate touchdown in the second quarter.
• Jaden Robinson recorded three tackles in his season debut after missing the first six games due to injury.
• With 204 passing yards, NM State set a new season high against the Bulldogs.
• LA Tech’s 324 yards were the fewest by an Aggie opponent this season.
• After missing first six games of season, member of First Team All-CUSA in 2023 Shiyazh Pete returned to the offensive line on Tuesday. In turn, the Aggie front did not allow a single sack for the first time this season.

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