The Aggies will take it.

It wasn’t pretty, but New Mexico State was able to positively respond to adversity for the first time this season, topping I-10 rival UTEP 27-20 behind a polarizing defensive performance and two big time late-game drives to seal the deal.

The win comes as the Aggies’ first of the year, and after three different in-game ties, is crucial for head coach Doug Martin and the team as they try to turn this season around.

“This one was big. We played better last week but didn’t get over the hump — tonight, though, we did some things better. We still got a long way to go offensively but man our defense stepped up and played huge four us,” Martin said. “Hopefully this gets us started… we needed a win to get us over the hump. Our schedule was brutal, the first three games in particular, and we gave last week away, so this was really a must-win for us.”

NM State (1-4) got off to another perfect start tonight, with Izaiah Lottie returning a blocked punt courtesy of running back Christian Gibson to the house for an early 7-0 lead before the offense even got a chance to touch the field.

It wouldn’t take long for UTEP (0-4) to respond, though, with the ensuing drive starting what would be a long night for NM State’s defense — especially on the ground.

The Miners, led by quarterback Kai Locksley, used their running game to get the touchdown back on the ensuing drive, kicking off a rushing attack that would gash a tired Aggie defense (that was on the field for over 40 minutes) for a big chunk of the night.

However, New Mexico State’s defense made the plays when they had too, including two fumble recoveries that halted drives with good field position just before half time — one of which resulted in a 55-yard return touchdown by Malik Demby that gave them a 17-10 lead at the break.

It looked like it would be the same old story for NM State coming out of the half, going three-and-out and giving up a 76-yard touchdown hookup between Locksley and Terry Juniel, but the Aggies never let UTEP get in front, hitting the Miners back their first offensive touchdown of the game late in the third quarter off of a 53-yard Royce Caldwell catch-and-run.

UTEP was able to cut into the lead with a field goal seven minutes into the fourth, but a big-time drive led by quarterback Josh Adkins, who completed nine of his 18 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown in his first career start, took some much needed time off the clock and set NM State up for a field goal of their own that pushed their advantage to seven.

The defense would finish things off, adding to their eight sacks during the Miners’ last second desperation drive, which ended with Austin Perkins picking Locksley off with under a minute to go.

There’s plenty of credit to go around for this win, but the aforementioned Gibson deserves some special recognition after an all-around outstanding performance, blocking the punt to get the game going and rushing for 103 yards on just 10 carries, including a couple of key first down rushes to extend that fourth quarter drive.

“I’m really proud of Christian. He’s been here for a few years and he hasn’t really found a role ’til this year… He just stayed here and stuck it out, worked hard, never complained, always wanted a chance, and now he’s just taking advantage of it and I couldn’t be happier for him” Martin said. “He gives us a real physical presence running the ball and he’s just a guy of great character.”

New Mexico State now has an open week ahead of them to get ready for Liberty at home on Oct. 6, giving them an opportunity to get healthy and bring Adkins along for what could shape up to a key stretch for this team hungry to establish a quality program.