New Mexico State run over by Cougars, lose 45-10

The Aggies from Las Cruces came into LaVell Edwards Stadium on a brisk 38 degree night but were red hot out of the gate. The defense forced BYU to go three and out on their first possession and then marched 85 yards down the field to go up 7-0.

Again wasting no time, the defense forced another three and out by the Cougars who looked pretty bad. Their QB was 1-8 to start the game for only seven yards and NM State was in control of the ball once again.

A short punt set the Aggies up on the BYU 49 looking to extend their lead. After driving 20 yards, a few incompletions set the Aggies up with a fourth down and a 47 yard field goal try. Dylan Brown’s kick was just short to keep the game at 7-0 Aggies.

After the defense forced another punt for BYU (who only had 11 yards through their first three drives), Aggies QB Josh Adkins would be intercepted off a deflected pass setting up the Cougars with the ball at the Aggie 15. Four plays later, BYU would punch it in and tie the game at 7.

From there it was all Cougars. They would score 24 points on four of their next five drives while the Aggies would punt four times and be intercepted again. The Cougars would end up gaining more than 300 yards on the ground throughout the game.

Josh Adkins had a tough day, throwing two interceptions and being sacked five times. The sacks this season have been a problem all season but I guess that’s what happens when you throw the ball 60 times in one game.

The ground game for the Aggies struggled all night. There were never any holes to move through and the team ended with 48 rushing yards total. RB Jason Huntley had his streak of five straight games with a touchdown end as he finished with a season low seven receiving yards.

On the positive side, Terrill Hanks was back and looked like himself again after being banged up. Besides that though, Saturday’s game was one to forget.

The Aggies will finish up the season next Saturday with their second game against Liberty this season.