Football: NM State Stumbles in 116th Rio Grande Rivalry

Aggies begin Conference USA play on Thursday as they host WKU.

Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Mike Martinez for NMSU: Courtesy

Las Cruces Police and Fire Honor Guard Members Present at Aggie Memorial Stadium NMSU vs UNM. (Photos Courtesy Las Cruces Fire via Facebook)

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – With 25,024 in attendance, NM State concluded its non-conference schedule on Saturday afternoon at Aggie Memorial Stadium as it hosted New Mexico in the 116th playing of the Rio Grande Rivalry. After a competitive first half, the Aggies fell to the Lobos 42-18. NM State will now prepare to host Western Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 1, as they begin Conference USA play and open a stretch of four midweek games.

New Mexico got the scoring started on its opening drive as Scottre Humphrey capped off an eight-play scoring drive with a rushing touchdown up the middle. NM State looked to have a response as it drove the ball inside the UNM 10-yard-line. However, the Aggies would have to settle for a field goal, but the kick would sail wide left of the uprights.
 
Later, the Lobos would be set up with good field position following a 24-yard punt return. With the drive starting at the Aggie 33-yard-line, the Lobos would use four consecutive rushes to move the ball into the end zone, extending their lead to 14-0 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
 
NM State would eventually get on the board as it used its longest drive of the season to generate a 23-yard field goal for Ilya Uvaydov. The Aggies found success on the first play of the game as Trey Hedden connected with Josiah Thomas for a 20-yard completion. This would be the second of his four catches for the game.

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New Mexico would then generate an extended drive of its own, as it used 13 plays to advance the ball into the red zone before missing a short field goal.
 
The Aggies then generated another promising drive, however, it would end in an interception – marking the first of three turnovers on the night for the Aggie offense.
 
In the second half, the Aggie offense approached midfield on their first possession, however, New Mexico would force a fumble to halt the Aggie drive. New Mexico would then score on each of its next three possessions to extend its lead to a score of 35-3 with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Late in the third quarter, Adam Damante took over the Aggie offense and led NM State on a scoring drive as he found Myles Libman in the back of the end zone. This would be the first of two times that Damante and Libman would hook up for a touchdown score as the Stanford transfer caught a second touchdown pass after New Mexico added another touchdown in the fourth quarter.

New Mexico State University Athletics recognized the City of Las Cruces Public Works Department as a Hometown Hero at this afternoon’s matchup of the versus the UNM Lobos. Public Works is dedicated to maintaining and improving our community’s infrastructure. This team works every day with integrity and commitment to ensure our city remains safe, reliable, and sustainable. “Congratulations to the City’s Public Works Department for being a Hometown Hero!” (Courtesy City of Las Cruces via Facebook)
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE

• James Jones eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground for the second time this season as he logged 14 carries for 112 yards to average 8.0 yards per carry. With this, Jones now has 12 100-yard rushing game in his collegiate career and has rushed for 100 yards or more in five of his last eight games.
• NM State’s defense saw its turnover streak come to an end at 19 games, which was the nation’s longest streak entering the day.
• The Aggies’ 16-play drive was the longest of the season, surpassing its previous high of 12 plays against Florida State.
• As a team, NM State finished with 268 passing yards on completion percentage of 61%.
• Myles Libman submitted a career day as he finished with four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns.
• Josiah Thomas posted a new career high in receiving yards with 90 on the day.
• Henry Davis III and Brad Vislisel each logged the first full sacks of their careers.
• TJ Washington and AJ Williams III each matched career highs with three catches.
• Chance Barron (4), Obinna Okeke (4) Demanuel Brown (3), Fa’apaia Fualema (3), Walter Owens (2)
• Jaylen Stokes logged his first career collegiate catch as he hauled in a 14-yard reception during the fourth quarter.

 
For complete coverage of the NM State football program, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).