NMSU snags third win of the season over MTSU, 36-21
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (KVIA) -- 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 to tally their first win away from home of the 2024 campaign.
Getting his fifth start of the season, Parker Awad led a passing attack that recorded a season-high 237 passing yards. Seth McGowan also turned in a career night as he posted 179 all-purpose yards with one touchdown to guide the way for the Aggies. Brandon Nuñez also contributed to the victory 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 out on the field first and just four plays into the MTSU drive, a pass intended for Holden Willis was tipped into the air and allowed Dylan Early to come up with the Aggies’ fifth interception of the last three games. Following the interception, Early returned the pick 30 yards to the end zone for the game’s first score.
Later, NM State would add to its total as Parker Awad guided the Aggies 50 yards down the field where Abraham Montaño connected on a 42-yard field goal to give the Crimson and White a 10-point lead in the early goings. 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 Q1: NM State 10, Middle Tennessee 0
SECOND QUARTER
In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee would finally respond as it drove 75 yards in 12 plays to find the end zone on its ensuing possession.
Following an Aggie possession that stalled near midfield, MTSU generated a drive that included two 4-and-inches. The Blue Raiders converted the first using a “tush push”, however when attempting to run the exact same play on the next short-yardage situation, the NM State interior defensive line pushed their way through to hold Nicholas Vattiato short of the line to gain.
With the ball in their hands once again, the Aggies found their way near the end zone once again after Parker Awad connected with Kordell David for a 38-yard pass down the MTSU sideline - setting the Aggies up at the Blue Raider 14-yard line. Despite the good field position, the Aggies would only come away with three points as Montaño split the uprights from 26 yards away.
NM State then came up with a stop on the following MTSU possession to maintain a six-point advantage entering the half-time break.
Scoring plays: MTSU - J. Credle 3-yard rushing touchdown (Kick by Z. Rankin); NMSU - A. Montaño 26-yard field goal
End Q2: NM State 13, Middle Tennessee 7
THIRD QUARTER
Following a three-and-out on the Aggies’ first possession of the second half, George Eberle hit a 48-yard punt which was followed by a shoestring tackle from Naeten Mitchell to keep the Blue Raiders on their half of the field. Just as MTSU’s first drive of the first half ended with an interception, the Aggies would come up with an interception on the Blue Raiders’ opening drive of the second half as Sone Aupiu picked off an errant Vattiato pass to set the Aggies up at the MTSU 49-yard line.
Using an explosive 34-yard pass to TJ Pride, the 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 onto the field for a run-heavy package that allowed for McGowan to get beyond 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 back within six points with 3:56 remaining in the period. The haymakers would continue to land as NM State then answered with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that spanned just two minutes and 34 seconds. The drive which was capped off by an 11-yard rushing touchdown for Mike Washington included four plays of 10 yards or longer. This was highlighted by a 43-yard pass completion to McGowan who found himself 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-pt attempt failed
End Q3: NM State 26, Middle Tennessee 14
FOURTH QUARTER
Following a touchdown drive on the Blue Raiders’ first possession of the fourth quarter, the final period belonged to the Aggies. MTSU’s touchdown would trim the lead to just five points, however, the Aggies answered back with a nine-play 75-yard touchdown drive that was finished off with a passing touchdown to converted offensive lineman Cooper Sheehan who scored a touchdown on his first collegiate catch while pushing the Aggies lead back to 12 points.
Later the Aggies would seal the deal with a 21-yard field goal from Abraham Montaño who ended 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
FINAL: NM State 36, Middle Tennessee 21
UP NEXT
The Aggies will return home next weekend for the Battle of I-10 on Saturday, Nov. 30. NM State will host the Miners in what will be their final game of the season and will be the 101st all-time meeting between the two programs. The game is slated to kickoff at 2:00 p.m. MT and will be streamed on ESPN+ for those unable to attend. Fans interested in attending in person can visit this link to purchase tickets.
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).
