LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State football secured a late 21-14 win Saturday night against American Athletic Conference opponent University of Tulsa.
With the victory, the 2-0 Aggies are the only undefeated team remaining in the Conference USA rankings.
Fueled by career days from quarterback Logan Fife and wide receiver Donovan Faupel, NMSU posted 292 total yards of offense.
Although the run game compiled just 39 yards, the Aggies’ offense dictated the pace of the game and made plays when it mattered.
The first quarter was quiet for both offenses. NMSU scored the only three points with a 46-yard field goal by Ryan Hawk.
Despite a scoreless second quarter, many key plays occurred.
Aggies’ Linebacker Tyler Martinez played with a fractured hand but deflected a pass in the end zone, resulting in an interception by safety Bernock Iya.
After the turnover, Tulsa Head Coach Tre Lamb made a quarterback change. Sophomore Kirk Francis was benched, granting freshman Baylor Hayes control of the offense.
NMSU received the second half kickoff but a quick three-and-out gave Tulsa the ball. Hayes’ impact was felt immediately, leading the Golden Hurricane on a seven play 65-yard drive capped off by a rushing touchdown of his own.
On the next drive, Fife and the Aggies marched down the field and responded with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Faupel.
The Aggies clung to a 10-7 lead entering the fourth quarter, but commanded possession at the line of scrimmage. Fife led a 15 play, eight-minute drive to tack on another Hawk field goal.
The next possession, Hayes and the Golden Hurricane came storming back with a receiving touchdown from tight-end Brody Foley.
With Tulsa leading 14-13 and seven minutes remaining, the Aggies got the ball back and needed a score to regain momentum.
Having to go the length of the field, Fife and the offense put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive to set up a Gavin Harris touchdown.
However, the Aggies were not done. The offense stayed on the field and put the ball in the hands of PJ Johnson III to score the two-point try. The conversion put the Aggies up 21-14 with three minutes left.
On what would be the last drive of the game, Tulsa looked to answer. Starting at their own 25 yard-line, the Golden Hurricane moved the ball up field. Aggies’ defensive-end Jamall Thompson Jr. intercepted the ball, wrapping up the win.
In the postgame press conference, head coach Tony Sanchez talked about the test his team faced in their matchup with Tulsa. After the offense had what Sanchez called a “sedated” first half, he praised his team’s toughness for reacting accordingly.
“You don’t really know if you have grit until you’ve been tested,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the Aggies’ defense was crucial to keeping the game at arms’ reach, and the team leaned on each other in times of need.
He also gave credit to Hawk for his red-hot start to the season, going 2/3 on extra points and 4/4 on field goals.
The Aggies travel to play Louisiana Tech University (1-1) at 5:30 p.m. MT Saturday, Sept. 13, at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana. A victory would be the team’s first 3-0 start since 1999.
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