Abraham Montaño records two 50-plus yard field goals; ties program record with 57-yarder.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo: Courtesy
NM State (2-6, 1-4) entered the half trailing by just one point at Pitbull Stadium, however, 27 second-half points from FIU (3-6, 2-3 CUSA) led to a 34-13 defeat for the Aggies on Tuesday night.
In their final midweek game of the season, the Aggies mustered 246 yards of total offense, including 216 which came from the rushing attack. Meanwhile, FIU generated 438 total yards of offense – led by 295 receiving yards on 11 catches for Eric Rivers. Individually, the Aggies were led on the ground by Mike Washington who tallied 88 yards to mark the most rushing yards by an Aggie this season.
All six of the Aggies’ first-half points came from the left foot of kicker Abraham Montaño who knocked in a 57-yarder followed by a 53-yard kick in the final seconds of the half. The 57-yard field goal equaled the longest field goal in program history while the two field goals of greater than 50 yards marked the first time this feat had been accomplished by an Aggie since 1978.
FIRST QUARTER
With Brandon Nuñez leading the offense in the first start of his career, the Aggies moved the ball effectively and gained a pair of first downs before ultimately turning the ball over on downs as Mike Washington was stopped short of the marker on 4th and 2.
The Panthers’ moved the ball into Aggie territory on their first possession, however, back-to-back tackles for loss from Kale Edwards and Dakerric Hobbs forced a punt from FIU.
With both teams focused on getting their run game going, the two sides accounted for just 20 total passing yards in the first quarter while NM State rushed for 88 yards and FIU rushed for 49 yards in the period. For the Aggies, this included an 18-yard rush from Donovan Faupel who made his return after sitting out the last four games due to injury.
Near the end of the quarter, the Aggies would cross midfield for the second time, however, neither side was able to put points on the board in the first 15 minutes of action.
Scoring plays: None
End Q1: NM State 0, FIU 0
SECOND QUARTER
The Aggies’ drive that began in the first quarter eventually turned into points as Abraham Montaño drilled a field goal from 57 yards out to equal a program record and hand the Aggies a three-point lead with 13:30 remaining in the quarter.
The Panthers quickly responded as a defensive breakdown led to a 52-yard receiving touchdown for Eric Rivers – putting FIU ahead 7-3 just 30 seconds after the Aggie field goal.
Following a pair of punts, the Aggies produced another promising drive, however, they would be halted at the FIU 6-yard line as the Panthers stopped Brandon Nuñez on 4th-and-2.
The NM State defense would then come up with a 3-and-out and following a short 28-yard punt, the Aggies were set up at the FIU 42-yard line. Despite only moving the ball five yards on three plays, the Aggies came away with points as Montaño connected on his second kick of 50-plus yards of the night – making a 54-yarder with 10 seconds on the clock.
Scoring plays: NMSU – A. Montaño 57-yard field goal; FIU – E. Rivers 52-yard receiving touchdown (A. Prado kick); NMSU – A. Montaño 54-yard field goal
End Q2: NM State 6, FIU 7
THIRD QUARTER
FIU would find the scoreboard first in the second half as a big pass play on the first play of the drive put the Panthers on the edge of the redzone. From there, the NM State defense would bow up to set up a critical 4th-and-inches. FIU would set up to go for it on fourth down, however, a false start would cause the Panthers to change their mind and bring out the kicking unit. The 24-yard field goal would put the Panthers ahead 10-6 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the quarter. This would also begin a stretch of 13 unanswered points for the home side.
Following the Aggies’ first 3-and-out of the game, FIU used just three plays before Keyone Jenkins found Eric Rivers yet again for a 51-yard touchdown pass that pushed the Panther lead to 11 points.
The next Aggie drive would end with an interception on a deep ball intended for tight end Jerry Lydiatt. The interception would also be returned 42 yards to the the Aggie 23-yard line to immediately set FIU up with a scoring opportunity. Despite the good field position, FIU would only emerge with three points as they ran three plays and lost four yards.
Scoring plays: FIU – A. Prado 24-yard field goal; FIU – E. Rivers 51-yard receiving touchdown (A. Prado kick); FIU A. Prado 38-yard field goal
End Q3: NM State 6, FIU 20
FOURTH QUARTER
Just two plays into the fourth quarter, NM State’s Mike Washington busted through the FIU defensive line and went nearly untouched for a 27-yard rushing touchdown that pulled the Aggies back within seven points.
Unfortunately, FIU’s ensuing drive would be its longest of the game as it ran 14 plays to move the ball 75 yards and into the end zone after holding the ball for six minutes and 29 seconds. This would push the lead back to two scores with 7:45 remaining in the game.
The Aggie secondary would continue to struggle with FIU receiver Eric Rivers who caught his third touchdown on the evening while bringing his receiving total for the game to 295 yards on 11 catches. This would be the final score of the night.
Scoring plays: NMSU – M. Washington 27-yard rushing touchdown (A. Montaño kick); FIU – D. Patterson 2-yard reception (A. Prado kick); FIU – E. Rivers 62-yard receiving touchdown (A. Prado kick)
Final: NM State 13, FIU 34
UP NEXT
Following the Aggies’ final midweek game of the season, they will get some time away once again as they prepare for a Homecoming tilt on Saturday, Nov. 9, against Western Kentucky in Aggie Memorial Stadium. NM State will kickoff against the Hilltoppers at 4 p.m. MT. Fans interested in attending the game can follow this link to purchase tickets online or call the Pan American Center Ticket Office at (575) 646-1420. Additionally, the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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).
Noteworthy
- NM State drops to 2-2 all-time against FIU and 0-1 on the road against the Panthers as Tuesday marked the first trip to Miami for the Aggies in program history.
- The Aggies are now 0-4 in road games with their last win away from home coming at Auburn in 2023.
- Kicker Abraham Montaño continued his impressive season as he tied the program record with his 57-yard field goal to open the scoring for the game. This kick ties Andy Weiler who also made a kick of this distance against UNLV on Sept. 15, 1984.
- Later, Montaño would hit a 54-yarder just before half to mark first time an Aggie kicker recorded two 50+ yard field goals since Skip Vernon at Hawaii on Nov. 11, 1978 when he made kicks of 53 and 50 yards.
- Mike Washington’s 88 rushing yards marks the most rushing yards for an Aggie this season – eclipsing Seth McGowan’s 87 yard performance against SEMO in the seaosn opener.
- George Eberle recorded four punts inside the FIU 20-yard line to mark a season-high for the graduate student from Califon, N.J.
- The 338 passing yards for FIU marked the most by an Aggie opponent this season while the Aggies’ 30 passing yards was the fewest this season for the Crimson and White.
- NM State committed a season-low two penalties for just 25 yards on Tuesday night.
- Tuesday marked just the second time this season that the Aggies did not allow a rushing touchdown while the four passing touchdowns was the most by an Aggie opponent this year.
- Larenzo McMillan’s 41 yard punt return in the fourth quarter marked the longest kick return of the season for the Aggies.
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