New Mexico State Wins Battle of I-10 for Third Straight Year Behind Huntley’s Career Day

The season may not have been what Aggie fans thought, or hoped, it would be. But a 44-35 win against a rival always makes things a little easier to bear.

With the win, NM State has now defeated UTEP for the third straight year. That’s the longest win streak for the Aggies in the series since 1992-1995.

The Aggies were able to win thanks to Martin opening up the playbook and calling runs, something that the entire fan base has been clamoring for all year.

Jason Huntley has reaped the benefits to Martin’s change in play calling, rushing for a career high for the second straight week, totaling 193 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged an amazing 13.6 yards per carry. He busted out big run after big run and put his team on his back.

Huntley opened the scoring on a 39-yard run in the first quarter to put the Aggies up 7-0. UTEP would come back and score the next 13 points, but Huntley would rip off a 53 yard run before halftime to give the Aggies the 14-13 lead at the break.

He would add a seven yard touchdown later in the third quarter for his third score of the game to make it 21-16 Aggies.

After UTEP took a 22-21 lead early in the fourth, the Aggies would drive and score on the “Aggie Special”, with Tony Nicholson throwing a pass to Josh Adkins who Moss’d a defender.

A little while later Dylan Brown would connect on a career long 53-yard field goal, extending the lead to eight, 30-22.

The defense wouldn’t be left out, as Xander Yarborough stripped Kai Locksley and Matthew Young returned it for a touchdown just a few minutes after the field goal.

The defense did give up 35 points, but they limited the damage, holding UTEP to two close field goals which they may have turned into touchdowns.

Finishing off the scoring was a 53-yard run by Christian Gibson, giving the seniors on this squad their third straight win over UTEP and sending them off on the right foot on senior night.

It was a beautiful night for football and the stands were pretty full considering it was a battle of two 1-9 teams. The announced crowd was 21,584 but there was a little less than that in the stands. Still, it is quite a bonus to have that sort of crowd for a game like this.

Regardless of that, it was a great way for New Mexico State to send out their seniors.