TEMPE, ARIZ. – In a game between two high-powered offenses, the Aggies and Sun Devils traded blows through the air and on the ground. When it was all said and done, NM State dropped its season-opener to Arizona State, 37-31.
On the Aggies' first possession of the game,
Tyler Rogers was picked off by the Arizona State (1-0) sideline and momentum quickly began to swing. The Sun Devils took over and marched down the field with a nine-play drive, which ended in a 7-yard touchdown rush and put NM State (0-1) behind 7-0 just 4:23 into the opening quarter.
After a three-and-out on the Aggies' second drive, ASU regained possession and wasted no time getting back to the end zone. On a two-play drive that took 24 seconds, the Sun Devils went 71 yards and put NM State down 14-0 in the first.
The Aggies marched down the field to open the second quarter and ended with a spectacular one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone by wide receiver
Jaleel Scott for NM State's first touchdown of the 2017 season.
Trailing 14-6, New Mexico State forced ASU to punt for the fourth-straight drive and the offense then took over. Over the next 11 plays, NM State chipped away at the Sun Devil defense for an 89-yard drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Rogers. That score brought the Aggies within 14-13 of the Sun Devils at the intermission.
The Aggie passing game recovered from the turnover on the initial possession as Rogers went on to finish the half going 20-for-30 for 184 yards and one touchdown.
NM State came out flying on defense with a pair of sacks on the Sun Devil's opening drive of the second half. After forcing a fourth down, ASU came out and put a 52-yard field goal just inside the uprights to take 17-13 lead.
After an Aggie punt pinned the Sun Devils on their own 40-yard line, ASU needed just one play to reach the end zone thanks to a 60-yard touchdown pass. NM State trailed 23-13 when the point after attempt missed just left.
The Aggies' next drive saw them move the ball into enemy territory but failed to convert on a fourth down attempt on the ASU 33-yard line. The Sun Devils then eliminated the NM State pass rush on the next drive with quick passing plays before breaking free for a 20-yard touchdown rush.
In the fourth quarter, NM State gave up a 49-yard interception return for another Sun Devil score, and trailed 37-13 with 13:52 remaining in the game.
The tide began to turn late in the game as the Aggie offense came out on their next drive with
Jason Huntley taking off for a 50-yard touchdown run. That score brought NM State within 37-19 of the ASU with 8:27 remaining in the game.
After an ASU punt, the Aggie offense looked to Huntley again. The sophomore answered once more for NM State, this time with a 23-yard touchdown reception. A failed two-point conversion for NM State made it 37-25 with 5:04 left to play.
Then, with 48 second left on the clock, the Aggies took over on their own 15. The team cruised down the field on six plays, which culminated in a 29-yard touchdown pass to Scott. Unfortunately, the clock hit zero after the touchdown pass with NM State falling to Arizona State 37-31.
The Aggies remain on the road for their next contest as they travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to square off against Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. MT.
NOTABLE:
- NM State finished with seven sacks which is the first time the team had five or more since posting five sacks at Hawaii on Oct. 22, 2011
- Jason Huntley set a career-high in rushing yards (84)
- Tyler Rogers set a career-high in pass completions (40) and attempts (57)
- Dalton Herrington posted a career-high in sacks (2)
- Jaleel Scott set a career-high in receptions (8) and receiving yards (149)
