Late Rally Secures Aggie Win Over SEMO

Seth McGowan records 87 yards rushing and two scores including the game-winner.

Source: NMSU Athletics

The Tony Sanchez era is here. On Saturday, Aug. 31, NM State took on the SEMO Redhawks inside Aggie Memorial Stadium to kick off the 2024 season. Trailing 16-10 to begin the fourth quarter, the Aggies rattled off 13 unanswered points to complete a 23-16 victory. This gives the Aggies their first season-opening win since 2014, and the first victory under the direction of Head Coach Tony Sanchez.

Seth McGowan led the way for the Aggie offense – totaling 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. In total, the NM State rushing attack finished with 210 yards on the ground to mark the third time that the Aggies have eclipsed the 200-yard mark in the previous six games. McGowan also capped off a 13-point fourth quarter to push the Aggies over the edge.

The Aggie defense stymied Redhawk rushing attack – holding their opponent to just 57 yards on the ground. However, SEMO did find success through the air as they compiled 295 yards through the air.

FIRST QUARTER
Following a pair of three-and-outs on each of the Aggies’ first two drives, a 20-yard run from Seth McGowan that included several broken tackles injected the home squad with some life. However, the drive would end with the Aggies’ third punt of the game. SEMO would get on the scoreboard first after a 51-yard connection between quarterback Paxton DeLaurent and Dorian Anderson who was running alone beyond all Aggie defenders.

Scoring plays: SEMO – Dorian Anderson 51-yard touchdown reception thrown by Paxton Delaurent (Kick by DC Pippin)

End Q1: NM State 0, Southeast Missouri 7

SECOND QUARTER
The Aggies’ first drive following the SEMO score would knot the game at seven apiece, as McGowan bounced outside for a 14-yard score with 11:04 remaining in the quarter. On the ensuing drive, the Redhawks would reclaim the lead with a 37-yard field goal by DC Pippin. An extended NM State drive would chew up 6:21 of game time on 16 plays to tie the game at 10 all thanks to the foot of Fresno State transfer Abraham Montaño.

Scoring plays: NMSU – Seth McGowan 14-yard touchdown rush (Kick by Abraham Montaño); SEMO – 37-yard field goal by DC Pippin; NMSU – 24-yard field goal by Abraham Montaño

End Q2: NM State 10, Southeast Missouri 10

THIRD QUARTER
After forcing a SEMO punt to begin the second half, the Aggies coughed up the first turnover of the contest, when an errant Parker Awad pass dropped into the waiting arms of Justus Johnson. This came following the first Aggie blocked punt since 2018 when Kordell David laid out to get a hand on the SEMO punt.

Later, the Southeast Missouri kicker DC Pippin flashed his leg and allowed the visitors to take a three-point lead after connecting on a 53-yard attempt.

Scoring plays: SEMO – 53-yard field goal by DC Pippin

End Q3: NM State 10, Southeast Missouri 13

FOURTH QUARTER
The Redhawks opened the fourth quarter with a 49-yard attempt, giving them a six-point advantage, 16-10. In need of a spark, the Aggies initiated a quarterback change as Deuce Hogan took over as the leader of the NM State offense. Despite a slightly improved passing attack, the Aggies ended Hogan’s second drive with just 42 total passing yards.

After a punt by Charlie Eberle pinned SEMO down at the 1-yard line, a holding penalty in the end zone resulted in a safety, giving the Aggies two points and the ball with 11:44 remaining. Once again, Head Coach Tony Sanchez would make the decision to put the ball back in the hands of Parker Awad who led the Aggies on a drive that ended in a 51-yard field goal off the left foot of Abraham Montaño – cutting the lead to one point with just over six minutes remaining on the clock.

Imploring the bend-don’t-break mentality, the Aggie defense came up clutch in crunch time, forcing a turnover on downs thanks to a stop by Tayden Barnes and Cole Schnettgoecke that gave the Crimson & White the ball at the SEMO 35-yard line. Facing a quick 3rd-and-10, Parker Awad connected with senior Kordell David to keep the drive alive. A 17-yard carry by Seth McGowan that ended in the end zone allowed the Aggies to take the lead for the final time. Following McGowan’s touchdown, Awad used his legs to punch home a two-point conversion to give the Aggies a seven-point lead with 1:57 left on the clock.

In need of a touchdown, Southeast Missouri drove the ball 51 yards down the field before Paxton DeLaurent threw a pass that was intercepted by Tayden Barnes to ultimately seal the win for the Aggies.

Scoring plays: SEMO – 49-yard field goal by DC Pippin; NMSU – 51-yard field goal by Abraham Montaño; Seth McGowan 3-yard rushing touchdown (2-point conversion attempt successful by Parker Awad)

FINAL: NM State 23, Southeast Missouri 16

UP NEXT
Following Saturday’s home opener, the Aggies will return to the friendly confines of Aggie Memorial Stadium in one week as they host Liberty in what will officially open NM State’s Conference USA slate. This will also mark just the second time since 2009 that the Aggies open the season with back-to-back home contests after also doing so in 2023. The Saturday matchup against the Flames will also be a rematch of the 2023 CUSA Championship Game.

Next week’s game is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT and will air live on ESPN2. Fans interested in attending the game may contact the Pan American Center Ticket Office at (575) 646-1420 or click here to purchase tickets online.

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).

Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Tony Sanchez on earning the victory
“At the end of the day you got to go out and find a way to win the game and we did that,” said Head Coach Tony Sanchez. “I’m happy for those guys after all the hard work and all transition and everything that went on this offseason. To sit here 1-0, half the country is 1-0 and half the country is not so it’s nice to be 1-0 right now.”

Sanchez on what the team needs to work on
“I knew we had an opportunity to win the game, we just got stuck in the mud offensively. Defensively we played well all night. The whole thing was just don’t panic and just keep working on the problems.”

Sanchez on what it means to be at New Mexico State
“I love this place, it’s a great place, it is so important that we continue to have success here. The longer you do it (Coach) you are just really happy for those kids. You know how hard they have to work, this is a heck of an opportunity to change their lives. It’s just really good to see everyone celebrate.”

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.