TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – NM State kicked off the 2026 season in front of 65,915 fans on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Aggies battled for a full four quarters and showed plenty of promise against ACC foe Florida State. However, the Seminoles were able to fend off the Aggies as NM State dropped the season opener, 34-17.
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Aggie offense crafted a promising opening drive that spanned six minutes and 47 seconds and included four first downs. However, the possession would conclude on the game's first turnover as the Florida State secondary intercepted a pass in the end zone.
Florida State would then move the ball into Aggie territory and eventually into the end zone, but a penalty would negate the score. With the ball on the 16-yard-line, defensive end Gabe Peterson and Sone Aupiu collapsed on FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels to force a field goal. The Seminole field goal unit would be successful from 43 yards out to record the first points of the Week 0 matchup.
Following a three-and-out for the Aggies, Florida State would generate a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to take a 10-0 advantage with 14:15 remaining in the second quarter.
In need of an answer, the Aggie offense had just that. On the ensuing drive, Trey Hedden commanded the offense on an eight-play drive that finished in the end zone. On the possession, the Aggies converted a pair of huge third downs as Hedden found Brodie Malone-Bradford on third-and-10 before connecting with TK King on third-and-8 to move the sticks with each completion. Facing a third-and-9, Hedden once again found a playmaker as Brodie Malone-Bradford completely lost his defender before hauling in a diving catch in the end zone. This would bring the Aggies within three with just under 11 minutes remaining in the first half.
Following a pair of punts, Florida State advanced the ball into the Aggies' side of the field. However, fifth-year leader Nick Session jumped in front of a Daniels pass to tally the Aggies' first interception of the 2026 campaign.
With the clock winding down in the first half, Florida State put together another scoring drive as Daniels found Samuel Singleton to cap off an eight-play, 58-yard drive and give the Seminoles a 17-7 advantage at the break.
On the other side of the half, the NM State defense came up with a stop to put the ball back into the hands of the Aggie offense. As it did to start the game, NM State worked a lengthy drive, using 12 plays to move the ball 68 yards. This would set up newcomer Ilya Uvaydov for a 38-yard field goal that brought the Aggies back within seven points.
Florida State would respond to the Aggies' scoring drive with a point-producing possession of its own as the Seminoles managed a 12-play, 51-yard drive that was capped off by a two-yard rushing touchdown - leaving the score at 24-10 with 2:09 remaining in the third quarter.
NM State remained poised and quickly responded with its second touchdown drive of the night. This time, Hedden beat the blitz and found a sprinting TK King, who dusted the defense on his way to a 34-yard receiving touchdown...
From there, the home side would put the game away with a 75-yard touchdown drive that put the Seminoles ahead by 17 points.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- A total of 25 Aggies made their debut with the program on Saturday night.
- Third downs
- Sophomore Brodie Malone-Bradford tallied a new career high in receiving yards with 96 on the night. This also led all pass catchers on the night for either squad. His touchdown in the second quarter marked the third of his career.
- In his first game as an Aggie, quarterback Trey Hedden completed 26 of his 42 attempts and tossed for 272 yards and two touchdowns. His two passing touchdowns match his career high and marks the 12th time in his career that he has thrown for multiple touchdowns in one game.
- The Aggies were led defensively by Sone Aupiu, who finished with a team-high eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Nick Session collected the second interception of his career and first as an Aggie. He also concluded the game with five solo tackles to lead all Aggies.
- In his debut with the Aggies, De'Marcus Peters matched his career high with five tackles.
- In total, the Aggies were 10-17 on third down, including converting on six of nine opportunities in the first half.
- On the night, NM State finished with five quarterback hurries as a team.
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), X (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).
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