LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State football team (3-6, 1-5) suffered a heartbreaking 24-21 Nov. 8 homecoming loss to Conference USA opponent Kennesaw State University (7-2, 5-0), who is currently in first place in CUSA, at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies have now lost four consecutive games and are 1-6 in their last seven matchups after starting the season 2-0 for the first time since 2014. With the victory, Kennesaw State has now won seven straight.
Despite the loss, NMSU showed diligence as they battled back from a 24-0 deficit early in the second quarter and nearly sent the game into overtime. However, a missed 50-yard field goal attempt from Aggie kicker Ryan Hawk stalled the furious comeback.
The Owls jumped out to a fast start, going up 17-0 in just the first 8 minutes of the game. They added a touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter and things started to look out of reach for NMSU.
The Aggies were not done just yet though, as running back Dijon Stanley capped off a six-play, 62-yard drive with a 28-yard rushing touchdown at the 5:34 mark in the second quarter. This was his first touchdown of the year and the score would remain 24-7 going into halftime.
Both defenses got it done in the third quarter, as no teams scored.
However, NMSU wide receiver Donovan Faupel hauled in two receiving touchdowns in the fourth quarter. This included one at the 5:28 mark to cut the deficit to just three.
After a Bernock Iya interception the next play, the Aggies were in position to complete the comeback.
On the next play however, NMSU quarterback Logan Fife threw an interception to Kennesaw State defensive back Isaac Paul, his first of the season.
Despite this rough patch from the offense, the defense forced a quick three-and-out. The offense had one last chance to secure a comeback win or send the game into overtime. They did enough to get into field goal range but the distance proved to be too long for Hawk, as the Aggies fell in heartbreaking fashion.
NMSU head coach Tony Sanchez said the slow start is what lost the game for the Aggies.
“You just can’t start a game that way,” Sanchez said. “We came out really flat on defense. Offensively, we weren’t doing much at the very beginning of the game.”
Fife put together an improved performance compared to his last two games, going 28-for-46 passing for 241 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The NMSU defense got it done yet again, as Iya had two interceptions. The Aggies have now forced a turnover in each game this year. Their pressure forced KSU quarterback Amari Odom to go just 14-for-30 passing. He threw for 219 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
NMSU will have a difficult time trying to keep its bowl chances alive in its next matchup, as they take on #21 University of Tennessee at 2:15 p.m. MT Saturday, Nov. 15, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN.
For NMSU to pull off the upset, the defense will need to stop running back Star Thomas. Thomas was part of the Aggie program from 2022-23 and has seven total touchdowns on the year for the Volunteers.
According to ESPN Analytics, Tennessee is favored by -41.5 points. This is the ninth consecutive game NMSU has been the underdog.
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