13
0-3 , 0-0
20
1-2 , 0-1
0-3 , 0-0
13
20
| team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
f |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
|
|
3 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Game Recap: Football | Saturday 09/10/2022 | NM State Athletics Media Relations
Aggies had a chance to tie on the final play in regulation
next game:
atWisconsin
9/17/2022 | 1:30pm
Big Ten Network
99.5FM KXPZ
Sep 17 (Sat) / 1:30 pm
Wisconsin
History
EL PASO, TX – The 99th meeting between NM State and UTEP ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Aggie faithful. Within one score with a shot to tie on the final play, a defensive stand by UTEP sent the Aggies back to Las Cruces with a 20-13 loss in the Battle of I-10.
The Miners jumped out to a dominant 17-0 lead before halftime to take control. Gavin Frakes made his first start in an Aggie uniform before giving way to Diego Pavia in the second quarter.
As a team, the Aggies struggled in the opening thirty minutes, mustering just 77 yards of total offense.
NM State started the second half with a special teams turnover. After a booming punt from Josh Carlson, the UTEP punt returner muffed the kick, allowing JJ Dervil to recover inside the red zone. With NM State on offense, Pavia quickly converted with a 14-yard quarterback keeper. The ensuing point after attempt was block as the Aggies cut UTEP’s lead to 11.
On the following possession, the Aggie defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back in the hands of the offense. Chris Ojoh and Marcus Buckley combined for a sack on third down to force a Miner punt.
The NM State defense continued to lock down the UTEP offense in the second half, forcing five of the final six Miner drives to end in a punt. The only time the Miners found on the scoreboard was on a field goal with five seconds remaining in the third quarter.
The Aggies continued to march down the field in utter control of the second half, threatening to tie the game in the final minute. With less than ten seconds left in regulation, the UTEP defense forced Pavia to fumble inside the red zone, escaping the late threat.
NOTES
NM State
– A Diego Pavia 14-yard touchdown run got the Aggies on the scoreboard with 10:50 to play in the third quarter.
– Pavia’s touchdown was set up by a muffed punt by UTEP, recovered by JJ Dervil at the 14-yard line.
– Pavia added a second touchdown run with 5:43 left in regulation – An 11-yard QB keeper. Pavia’s rushing touchdowns were the first two of the season for NM State.
– A 37-yard fumble recovery by Star Thomas with 2:14 to play was overturned after video review. The score would’ve brought the Aggies within a PAT of tying the game.
– NM State tallied four sacks in the contest. Coming into Saturday night, the Aggies had only tallied one sack all season.
– Chris Ojoh, Andre Seldon, Lazarus Williams, Syrus Dumas, Marcus Buckley, and Justin Segura were each credited with at least one-half of a sack.
– Williams’ sack included a forced fumble which UTEP recovered.
– Pavia hit running back Star Thomas for a 44-yard catch and run – The longest NM State gain of the season.
– The Aggies set a single-game high in rushing yards (178), scoring (13), and sacks (4).
– Ojoh added a season high eight tackles to lead the Aggies.
– Star Thomas totaled 97 yards of total offense – 47 rushing, 50 receiving – to lead all Aggies.
UTEP
– UTEP reached 300+ yards of total offense for the 17th consecutive game, dating back to December 11, 2020.
– Ronald Awatt rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on Saturday night.
– Gavin Hardison threw for a season-low 171 yards and was sacked twice.
Game Notes
– The Saturday night clash was the 99th all-time meeting between NM State and UTEP with the Miners now holding a 59-38-2 lead.
– Chris Ojoh and Diego Pavia represented NM State as captains.
– NM State won the coin toss for the first time this season and elected to defer.
– Attendance – 23,325
– NM State falls to 0-3 and will head to Madison, Wisconsin next week. The No. 19/No. 18 Badgers fell today at home to Washington State, 17-14.
For complete coverage of NM State football as the Aggies prepare for year one under head coach Jerry Kill and his staff, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of NM State athletics – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter ( @NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFootball).
++NM State++
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