SAN MARCOS, Texas – The New Mexico State football team headed to the Lone Star State to take on Sun Belt Conference opponent Texas State on Saturday afternoon in Bobcat Stadium. In a high –scoring contest, the Aggies prevailed putting up 28 points in the second half to take down the Bobcats, 45-35.
Saturday's contest opened with early scoring from each side, beginning with Texas State (2-7, 1-4 SBC) completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to put NM State (4-5, 2-3 SBC) down seven just 2:31 into the game.
The Aggies then took over on their first drive of the game and after a pair of third-down conversions and two big completions, NM State set up for a first-and-goal at the Texas State two-yard line. Tyler Rogers then took the quarterback keeper into the end zone to tie the game up 7-7 at the 9:49 mark.
Texas State responded on the next series when an 11-yard pass on third-and-seven got the Bobcats into the end zone and put the Aggies back down 14-7 before the first quarter was all wrapped up.
To open the second quarter, Cedric Wilcots II came flying off the edge for a sack and forced fumble which was recovered by Lui Fa'amasino to give the Aggies possession at their own 47. The resulting drive did not result in points but just two possessions later the Aggies were able to convert.
After a 31-yard pass to Jaleel Scott gave the Aggies a first down on the Texas State side of the field, Rogers then went on to hit Jonathan Boone for a 44-yard touchdown pass which knotted the game up at 14 with 8:57 left in the half.
The Bobcats answered quickly to go back on top when Tyler Watts broke free for a 76-yard touchdown rush to put the NM State deficit at 21-14. After a punt from each team, the Aggies looked to cut into the opponents lead.
Following a short rush and a pair of incomplete passes, Dylan Brown came out on fourth-and-eight and split the uprights on a 35-yard field goal attempt to make the Bobcats lead 21-17 before the end of the first half.
Although the second half opened with a pair of punts, each team got back in their groove and began putting points up on the board in a hurry. NM State began the scoring when a pair of 20-plus yard completions led to a drive which was capped off with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Muse. This score gave the Aggies their first lead of the game, 24-21, with 9:48 left in the third quarter.
Just three drives later, Dalton Herrington intercepted a deflected ball and brought it back to the Texas State 49-yard line. In the middle of the Aggies next series, Rogers went down on a hard hit which ushered in Nick Jeanty at quarterback for the first time in 2017.
Jeanty made quick work of the Bobcat defense, in his only series of the game, as he reached the end zone in just two plays. This drive culminated with Scott reeling in a 22-yard touchdown reception to expand the Aggies lead to 31-21.
The third quarter scoring did not end there, however, as Texas State connected on a three-yard touchdown pass to put the Aggies advantage at 31-28 heading to the fourth.
In another quarter full of offensive explosions, Larry Rose III was found by Rogers for a 68-yard catch-and-run which put NM State on the Texas State seven yard line. Rose III then walked the ball into the end zone on a one-yard rush to give the Aggies a 38-28 edge with 9:44 left.
The Bobcats went on to change quarterbacks on the next drive and the new play-caller connected with a wide open receiver for a 69-yard touchdown reception to make the score 38-35 in favor of the Aggies.
The offensive onslaught was capped off at the 2:22 mark when OJ Clark was found for a 14-yard touchdown reception to make the Aggies lead, 45-35, which stood as the final.
NM State now returns home for a bye week before heading back on the road to take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, Nov. 18, in Lafayette, La.
NOTABLE
- For the third time this season, the Aggies scored on their first drive of the game.
- Tyler Rogers punched in his team-leading seventh rushing touchdown of the season.
- Cedric Wilcots II recorded the first forced fumble of his career.
- Wilcots had four sacks, the most since Aubrey Dorisme with three against Middle Tennessee (10/11/03).
- Jonathan Boone posted his first touchdown catch of the 2017 season.
- The 44-yard touchdown reception by Boone was the longest reception of his career.
- Jaleel Scott posted his third 100-plus yard receiving game of the season.
- Jared Phipps set a career-high in total tackles (10).
- Anthony Muse tallied his first touchdown reception of the season.
- This was the eighth game this season where two or more Aggies had a touchdown reception.
- Nick Jeanty threw his first passing touchdown since playing Idaho (10/15/16).
- Scott recorded his third game this season with multiple receiving touchdowns (Arizona State, Georgia Southern).
- Larry Rose III recorded the 32nd rushing touchdown of his Aggie career which moves him into third all-time.
- Tyler Rogers set a career-high in passing yards (474).