In the one hundredth edition of the Battle of I-10, New Mexico State football prevailed against the University of Texas El Paso Miners 28-7 after a steadfast offensive and defensive performance. The Aggies’ win marks their first victory over the Miners since 2019.
The game kicked off with both sides quickly gaining yards, but unable to get on the scoreboard. Midway through the first quarter, NMSU’s quarterback Diego Pavia ran the ball into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown to give the Aggies the 7-0 lead.
After finding their groove, the Miners returned the favor after a 54-yard run from UTEP’s Deion Hankins that led to a touchdown by Kevin Hurley to tie the game at seven a piece.
Immediately after scoring their first touchdown, both teams struggled to put points on the board for the majority of the second quarter. The Aggies failed to produce plays on their first possession and punted the ball back to the Miners but stopped them defensively. Before halftime, Pavia and the offense pushed into the redzone and set up redshirt junior Ethan Albertson for a 25-yard field goal but was blocked by UTEP’s Praise Amaewhule.
After a defensive first half on both sides, the Aggies maintained complete control in the second half. On their first possession, redshirt sophomore Monte Watkins ran for 45 yards. Pavia followed with an 18-yard rush before his first touchdown pass to junior Thomaz Whitford to give the Aggies a 14-7 lead.
Riding their momentum, the Aggies’ defense forced the Miners to punt the ball after five plays. Meanwhile, their offense stayed hot and continued to move the ball, with Pavia completing passes to his receivers and picking up first downs with his legs when he needed to. Pavia capitalized on the drive when he found the endzone for the second time with a 41-yard touchdown run to extend the Aggies lead to 21-7.
The Miners offense made a few plays to get into Aggie territory, but after failing to convert on fourth down, the Aggies took possession. The Aggies quickly took advantage of the opportunity and Pavia threw passes to freshman Jonathan Brady and redshirt sophomore Eli Stowers. Four plays later, Whitford caught his second touchdown from Pavia to improve to 28-7.
The Miners improved their offense in the fourth quarter, until the Aggies defense stepped up and forced three consecutive turnovers to end the game.
The Aggies will now travel to Ruston, Louisiana to take on Louisiana Tech on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. The game will be streamed on CBS Sports Network.
