LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Whether you open the season during Week 0 or not, the season is not determined by the first game on the schedule.
 
This was the sentiment expressed by Head Coach Jerry Kill following a defeat on Saturday night. "Tonight was certainly disappointing," noted Kill. "I don't think we played up to our abilities. Sometimes you've got to play the first game to see where you're at."
 
The Aggies (0-1, 0-0 CUSA) fell to UMass (1-0) 41-30 on Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Following a historic season in 2022, more than 15,000 fans packed the stands to watch the Aggies take part in the first home game broadcasted on ESPN since 2006.
 
As a team, the Aggie offense accumulated 458 total yards thanks to a balanced attack which featured 210 yards on the ground and 248 yards through the air. Junior Quarterback Diego Pavia threw for a game-high 248 yards while connecting with his receivers for three passing touchdowns. Monte Watkins' 95 rushing yards on just two carries led all Aggie rushers in yardage while his 80-yard touchdown was the lone Aggie rushing score.
 
UMass was led by transfer quarterback Taisun Phommachanh who threw for 192 yards and ran for 99 and one touchdown. All four of Minutemen's offensive scores came via the running game, while the defense pitched in six points of their own by way of an interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.
 
FIRST HALF
The Aggie defense looked ready for the spotlight on the opening drive of the game as they forced UMass to go three-and-out. However, the Minutemen defense raised the bar as they forced the first turnover of the game on the Aggies' third offensive play of the night when Pavia's tipped pass ended up in the hands of Michael Oppong. Three plays later, UMass would break through to score the first touchdown of the night for either side.
 
Following a first quarter in which the Aggies' racked up just 25 total yards, the Aggie offense put together a scoring drive of two plays and 85 yards the second time they touched the ball in the second quarter. This score came after Monte Watkins found daylight and got to the second level of the UMass defense. The former track star took full advantage and sprinted for an 80-yard score to tie the game at seven with 8:34 left in the second period.
 
Later in the quarter, the two sides would each tack on a field goal to enter the half tied at 10 points apiece.
 
SECOND HALF
A UMass field goal almost nine minutes into the third quarter that capped off a 10-play drive would be the lone scoring produced in the third quarter.
 
Ahead of the post game fireworks show, sparks began to fly on the field as the two sides combined to score 48 points and tally 425 total yards in the final quarter of action.
 
After a rushing touchdown from the Minutemen's quarterback, Phommachanh, the Aggies' Diego Pavia found a covered Trent Hudson in the end zone where Hudson leaped over a UMass defender to catch the first touchdown of his Aggie career. This would pull the Aggies to a 20-17 deficit with over 13 minutes to play.
 
Later, UMass capped off a nearly six-minute drive with a touchdown to push the lead to 10 points, however, NM State appeared to still be hanging around. Perhaps the most pivotal play of the night came at the 6:40 mark of the fourth quarter as UMass' Isaiah Rutherford intercepted a Pavia pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown – extending the lead to 17 points.
 
The Aggies would score two more touchdowns through the air, however, these would prove to be inconsequential as UMass also added one touchdown.