MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – NM State (3-8, 2-5 CUSA) emerged from Floyd Field on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Middle Tennessee (3-8, 2-5 CUSA) 36-21 for their first win away from home of the 2024 campaign to achieve.

He achieved his fifth start of the season, Parker Awad led a passing attack that recorded a season-high 237 passing yards. Seth McGowan also had a career night when he posted 179 all-purpose yards with one touchdown to lead the way for the Aggies. Brandon Nuñez also contributed to the win with a pair of passing touchdowns on his only two passing attempts of the game.

FIRST QUARTER
After winning the coin flip, NM State sent its defense onto the field first and just four plays into the MTSU drive, a pass intended for Holden Willis was tipped in the air and allowed Dylan asked to come up with the Aggies’ fifth interception of the last three games. After the interception, Early returned the pick 30 yards to the end zone for the first score of the game.

Later, NM State would add to its ash total Parker Awad led the Aggies 50 yards down the field where Abraham Montaño connected on a 42-yard field goal, giving the Crimson and White an early 10-point lead. NM State used a very balanced attack on the drive, as exactly half of its yards came from the running game, while the other 25 yards came through the air.

Scoring plays: NMSU – D. Early 30-yard interception return for touchdown (kick by A. Montaño); NMSU – A. Montaño 42-yard field goal

End of Q1: NM State 10, Middle Tennessee 0



SECOND QUARTER
In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee would finally respond by driving 75 yards in 12 plays to find the end zone on the ensuing possession.

After an Aggie possession that stopped near midfield, MTSU generated a drive with two 4-and-inches. The Blue Raiders converted the first using a “tush push,” but when they tried to run the exact same play on the next close-range situation, the NM State interior defensive line pushed its way through to get Nicholas Vattiato in front hold the line to make a profit. .

With the ball back in their hands, the Aggies then found their way to the end zone again Parker Awad connected with Kordell David for a 38-yard pass down the MTSU sideline, putting the Aggies at the Blue Raider 14-yard line. Despite good field position, the Aggies would only come away with three points when Montaño split the uprights 26 yards out.

NM State then came up with a stop on the next MTSU possession to maintain a six-point lead entering halftime.

Scoring plays: MTSU – J. Credle 3-yard rushing touchdown (kick by Z. Rankin); NMSU – A. Montaño 26-yard field goal

End of Q2: NM State 13, Middle Tennessee 7

THIRD QUARTER
After a three-and-out on the Aggies’ first possession of the second half, George Eberle hit a punt from 48 yards which was followed by a minor tackle from Naeten Mitchell to keep the Blue Raiders in their half of the field. Just as MTSU’s first drive of the first half ended with an interception, the Aggies came up with an interception on the Blue Raiders’ opening drive of the second half. Son Aupiu picked off an errant Vattiato pass to put the Aggies at the MTSU 49-yard line.

Use an explosive 34-yard pass to TJ proudthe Aggies worked the ball to the MTSU 12-yard line on the second play of the drive. This was immediately followed by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seth McGowan from Brandon Nuñez who came down the field for a run-heavy package that allowed McGowan to get past his defender and into the end zone.

Middle Tennessee would respond to McGowan’s score with a touchdown drive of its own, as it put together an 11-play, 78-yard drive to pull within six points with 3:56 left in the period. The haymakers would continue to land as NM State then answered with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that lasted just two minutes and 34 seconds. The drive capped by an 11-yard rushing touchdown Mike Washington included four plays of 10 yards or longer. This was highlighted by completing a 43-yard pass to McGowan, who was wide open out of the backfield.

Scoring plays: NMSU – S. McGowan 12-yard touchdown reception; MTSU – H. Willis 12-yard touchdown reception (kick by Z. Rankin); NMSU – M. Washington 11-yard rushing touchdown (2-point attempt failed

End of Q3: NM State 26, Middle Tennessee 14

FOURTH QUARTER
After a touchdown drive on the Blue Raiders’ first possession of the fourth quarter, the final period belonged to the Aggies. MTSU’s touchdown would cut the lead to just five points, but the Aggies answered back with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that capped off with a passing touchdown for the converted offensive lineman. Cooper Sheehan who scored a touchdown on his first collegiate catch while pushing the Aggies lead to 12 points.

Later, the Aggies would seal the deal with a 21-yard field goal by Abraham Montaño, who finished the day 3-for-3 and helped the Aggies secure their first road win of the season.

Scoring plays: MTSU – O. Kelly 19-yard reception (Kick by Z. Rankin); NMSU – C. Sheehan 4-yard touchdown reception (kick by A. Montaño); NMSU – A. Montaño 21-yard field goal

LATEST: NM State 36, Middle Tennessee 21

NEXT
The Aggies return home next weekend for the Battle of I-10 on Saturday, November 30. NM State will host the Miners in what will be their final game of the season and will mark the 101st all-time meeting between the two programs. . The match kicks off at 2:00 PM MT and will be streamed on ESPN+ for those unable to attend. Fans interested in attending in person can purchase tickets via this link.

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).

 

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