Louisiana Tech Beats New Mexico State 22-21.
RUSTON, La. (AP) — Zac Champion erased a 12-point deficit with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, and Louisiana Tech beat New Mexico State 22-21.
With Tech trailing 21-9, a third-down pass was batted around the end zone before Brian Jackson hauled it in to bring the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2 Western Athletic Conference) within 21-16 with 6:55 left — their first touchdown in more than 13 quarters.
After forcing an Aggie three-and-out, Champion (22-of-35, 215 yards) capped a 6-play, 60-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Phillip Livas. A two-point conversion attempt failed with 1:53 left.
New Mexico State stalled near midfield and the Bulldogs ran out the clock.
The Bulldogs won in spite of a missed field goal, numerous dropped passes, nine penalties and other mistakes.
NMSU scored first, on a 16-yard pass from backup J.J. McDermott (29-for-40, 319 yards and two touchdowns) to Chris Williams, who had 170 yards on 11 catches.
A field goal by Danny Horwedel cut the lead to 7-3 at the half, and another kick by Horwedel made it 7-6 with 5:56 to play in the third.
Williams scoring his second touchdown on an 11-yard pass from McDermott to make it 14-6. After a pass interference call gave New Mexico State a first-and-goal at the 2, Justine Buries’ 2-yard run put the Aggies ahead 21-9.
Starter Michael Moseley was 5-of-12 for 54 yards; Tech receivers dropped most of the incompletions. Champion led the Bulldogs on the ground with five carries for 54 yards.
Justin Buries led the Aggies on the ground with 62 yards on 23 carries.
