Associated press

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Malaki Ta’ase blocked a field goal attempt on the final regular-season game and Mike Washington scored a game-winning touchdown in the second overtime as New Mexico State defeated Louisiana Tech 33-30 on Tuesday night.

In the first overtime, both teams barely made a field goal. Then Buck Buchanan’s 36-yard field goal to start the second overtime hit the upright and went through for a 30-27 lead.

New Mexico State backup Brandon Nunez completed his fourth pass of the game in the second overtime when he found Kordell David for a 16-yard gain down the left sideline. Washington was untouched on his touchdown run after breaking it to the outside from four yards out.

It was New Mexico State’s first overtime game since the 2017 Arizona Bowl against Utah State.

Nunez threw for 49 yards and he carried it six times for 30 yards and two touchdowns for New Mexico State (2-5, 1-3 Conference USA).

Evan Bullock was 22 of 41 for 225 yards and two touchdowns for Louisiana Tech (2-4, 1-2). Tru Edwards had nine catches for 102 yards and two scores for his first career multi-touchdown game.

Louisiana Tech DB Pig Cage was called for targeting with 1:54 left to give New Mexico State a first down at the 13-yard line. Two plays later, Nunez scored on a four-yard keeper that left for the third tie of the game at 24-all.

Louisiana Tech marched down the field in 11 plays, aided by back-to-back long runs from Omiri Wiggins (25 yards) and Amani Givins (11). With three seconds left, the Bulldogs attempted a 26-yard field goal that was blocked by Ta’ase, sending the game into overtime.

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