BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – While the Aggies (3-5, 1-4 CUSA) showed glimpses of success in the early goings of the contest at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Western Kentucky (6-2, 5-1 CUSA) used four passing touchdowns to defeat NM State 35-9 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Defense was the story of the first quarter as the two offenses combined to produce just 62 yards on 23 plays across the first four combined possessions. On the side of the Aggies, the effort was highlighted by a forced turnover on downs, along with a sack on third down for linebacker Tory Gethers during the Hilltoppers' second series.
 
The Aggies eventually got things going on their third drive, rallying to move the ball into field goal range for kicker Ryan Hawk, who hit his first of three field goals on the day. While NM State did have its eyes set on seven points, penalties proved to be costly on a drive that included a 24-yard rush for Logan Fife on a designed quarterback keeper and a pair of effective passes to PJ Johnson III (8 yards) and Gavin Harris (11 yards). In total, NM State committed three false starts in the first quarter after entering the game averaging fewer than seven penalties per game.
 
The Aggie defense flexed its muscles again on the ensuing WKU offensive drive as it came up with its second fourth-down stop of the first half. The stop came as a momentum shift as the Hilltopper rusher was initially awarded the first down; however, after a review, it was ruled that he was short.
 
Defensive Coordinator Joe Morris would continue to dial it up later in the half as linebacker Sone Aupiu dropped back into coverage to record the second interception of his career. He would then return the pick all the way down to the WKU 38-yard line. The Aggie offense was unable to move the ball into the end zone, but did come away with three points as Ryan Hawk split the uprights from 27 yards out to give the visiting side a six-point lead with 7:15 remaining in the second quarter.
 
This lead would only last as long as the following Hilltopper drive, as WKU moved the ball 75 yards on eight plays to tally the game's first touchdown. The ensuing extra point would leave the Aggies looking at a 1-point deficit despite a stiff defensive showing in the early goings. This would also be the last time that the Aggies held the lead.
 
Later, WKU would add to its lead with a second passing touchdown on its next drive, giving the Hilltoppers a 14-6 advantage with 1:14 remaining in the half. Following a quick drive for the Aggies, WKU would have another chance to add to its total; however, a 53-yard field goal would hit the crossbar and bounce back into the end zone, leaving the score at 14-6 in favor of WKU at the break.
 
On the other side of the halftime pause, the Aggie defense would force a 3-and-out, setting up an opportunity to cut into the lead. NM State would eventually drive the ball to the WKU 32-yard line, where Ryan Hawk recorded a new season-long field goal as he split pipes from 50 yards.
 
The NM State defense would force another 3-and-out its next time out, but the WKU defense would come away with an interception to set up another touchdown drive for the Hilltoppers, moving the score to 21-9 with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter. On the heels of a 3-and-out for the Aggie offense, WKU would push the lead to 19 points (28-9) following another touchdown pass. With the Aggie offense unable to come up with any answers, the Hilltoppers would continue to add to their total, scoring another touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 35-9. 
 
In the closing minutes, the Aggies would find their way into the end zone for the first time in the game as Stilton McKelvey returned a fumble 71 yards for the scoop and score, moving the score to 35-16 where it would ultimately stay for the remainder of the game.
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE

• NM State finished the game with season lows in pass completions (13), passing yards (110), total offense (176) and yards per play (2.7).
• The Aggies equaled their highest number of punts in a single game this season with seven, a mark they also reached at LA Tech and in the season opener against Bryant.
• Tory Gethers matched his career high in tackles with 13 after also doing so in the Aggies' last outing. He also recorded his third sack of the season. This also marks the most by any Aggie defender this year.
• Stilton McKelvey logged the first fumble recovery of his career and marked the Aggies second fumble returned for a touchdown this season. This also give NM State three defensive touchdowns on the year, a category the Aggies ranked tied for 12th in the nation in prior to kickoff.
• Ryan Hawk hit a season-best 50-yard field goal, while also matching his best mark in made field goals in a single game with three. He is now 15-for-20 on the season.
• Sone Aupiu logged 10 tackles to match his previous career high and mark his highest number of total tackles since the 2023 CUSA Championship Game. Aupiu also earned the second interception of his career and first this season.
• Isaiah Rudison concluded the game with career highs in both carries (7) and rushing yards (34).
• Cole Schnettgoecke recorded his first unassisted sack of his career with the Aggies.
• With the loss, the Aggies are still seeking their first road victory of the season, falling to 0-4 this year.
• NM State drops to 1-2 all-time against Western Kentucky and 1-1 when playing in Bowling Green, Ky.

 
UP NEXT
NM State will now prepare to host Kennesaw State next Saturday, Nov. 8, in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Homecoming contest at Aggie Memorial Stadium is slated to kick off at 2 p.m. MT and will stream live on ESPN+, with additional coverage available via 99.5 FM KXPZ, along with live statistics that can be found at NMStateSports.com/stats.
 
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).