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    • NM State uses McGowan and multiple takeaways to beat MTSU
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    NM State uses McGowan and multiple takeaways to beat MTSU

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    Seth McGowan was on a mission.

    New Mexico State’s best offensive player and one of Conference USA’s best running backs was a monster against Middle Tennessee on Saturday. The junior totaled 179 yards and was the Aggies’ leading rusher and receiver, with 83 rushing yards and 96 receiving yards.

    McGowan rushed angrily, ran routes fiercely and was the human equivalent of a locomotive against the Blue Raiders (3-8, 2-5 Conference USA). His efforts lifted NM State (3-8, 2-5 CUSA) to a 36-21 victory, its first road win this season and first road victory in 371 days since losing to Auburn last season.

    More: ‘One of the best days of my life’: Revisiting NM State football’s stunning Auburn victory a year later

    McGowan was cool afterward, saying it was a “team win.”

    “I feel like I did a good job,” McGowan said casually. “I’m happy to be able to contribute in any way.”

    McGowan helped lead the balanced attack the Aggies wanted. He caught NM State’s first touchdown of the game when senior quarterback Brandon Nunez found him on a 12-yard pass with 9:55 left in the third quarter and earned 43 receiving yards on the next drive after running a wheel route down the sideline . and reaching the red zone. Junior running back Mike Washington scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown three plays later.

    ESPN+ commentators declared McGowan “will play on Sunday,” referring to the NFL, and NM State coach Tony Sanchez praised him more.

    “He is an elite player,” Sánchez said. “He makes us better. We have to do our utmost to keep him (and not let him leave after the season) because he is pretty special.”

    NM State earned 237 passing yards and 145 rushing yards, the former being a season high. It was the Aggies’ most passing yards since their 30–24 loss to Liberty on September 7, and it helped them gain their first halftime lead and a two-score lead at any point since facing the Flames.

    A notable passing play featured sophomore offensive lineman Cooper Sheehan on a run-pass option for a four-yard touchdown with 7:43 remaining. McGowan said NM State has been “holding the play for a while” and was happy to see Sheehan finally get his moment.

    “I didn’t see him drop the ball once the entire time in practice,” McGowan said. “It was good to see him. He deserved that.”

    The Aggies have one more game at home against rival UTEP (2-9, 2-5 CUSA) next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. NM State may not be playing for bowl eligibility, but don’t tell the Aggies they’re playing for nothing.

    “It’s an important game for us (and an) important game for them,” Sánchez said. “We want to finish on a high level again (with) two wins in a row and beat the big rival. It’s important. They think the same.”

    More: Complete score sheet for the game between New Mexico State and Middle Tennessee

    Awad gets another nod

    Sanchez planned to give junior quarterback Santino Marucci another start, but the situation changed on Thursday.

    Sanchez thought sophomore Parker Awad was the most accurate quarterback during this week’s practices and said he completed more passes than others. Awad impressed Sanchez enough to start, a decision he made a day before traveling to Murfreesboro on Friday.

    “We tell (the quarterbacks) all the time, ‘We’re always competing,’” Sánchez said. “The plan going into the week wasn’t for him to start, and he just looked better as the week went on. We made the decision on Thursday as soon as he left the field. It’s a testament to him. stayed in there.”

    Although Awad didn’t score, he set up all three NM State touchdowns on significant plays. A 34-yard pass deep to freshman wide receiver TJ Pride set up McGowan’s receiving touchdown on the next play, a rush for 17 yards on second-and-9 led to Washington’s touchdown on the next drive and a catch-and- 38 yard. run to freshman Adam Parks set up Sheehan’s score two plays later. He finished with 221 passing yards.

    McGowan says Awad seemed more focused during training, which led to his performance.

    “He really took this week by the horns,” McGowan said. “He didn’t get many chances earlier in the week and he started winning more and more as we went along. His room for error was so small and he executed everything perfectly.”

    Aggies start right away with pick-6

    NM State started strong against MTSU.

    Senior safety Dylan Early returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown on the fourth play of the game, giving the Aggies a quick 7-0 lead. It was his first interception of the season and one that set the tone for the game.

    NM State almost had a similar moment against Sam Houston on September 21, but senior safety Nick Session dropped the football. This time the Aggies seized the moment.

    “Every time you have the lead, your winning percentage goes up,” Sanchez said. “That ended up being a really big problem because most of that game was close.”

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