New Mexico State football played their season’s first away game this Saturday against Louisiana (LA) Tech’s Bulldogs – and brought home a major loss of 14-49.
Hastily starting off the game with a missed field goal attempt by NMSU’s kicker Ryan Hawk, LA Tech’s own kicker John Hoyet quickly returned the effort, successfully attaining the game’s first 3 points and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
An impressive catch and run by Jalen Mickens awarded LA Tech the game’s first touchdown, adding another seven points to their tally to set the score at 0-10.
“We looked a little tired and a little lethargic early on,” Tony Sanchez, NMSU’s head coach said, “Part of that is [these] guys learning how to play on the road.”
Multiple penalties on the Bulldogs then allowed the Aggies another few chances to find their footing, yet they still couldn’t seem to get in sync – as the only thing in the first quarter helping them advance the ball was LA Tech’s shortcomings.
“We need to be way more physical. I don’t think we’re very physical at the point of attack, that needs to change,” Sanchez said on the topic of the Aggie’s yardage and tackles.
A rapid start to the second quarter resulted from an almost immediate touchdown by LA Tech’s Andrew Burnette, stranding the Aggies at 0-17.
Things were not looking up for NMSU – and not without reason. LA Tech’s unique alternating quarterback system, going between a more effective runner and a more effective passer, made it difficult for Aggies to call a productive play.
Another touchdown by Louisiana’s Marlion Jackson marked the game up to 0-24 and urgently made the Aggies aware that something needed to change.
“We put ourselves in a hole, and we kind of dug ourselves out of it, those early drives really hurt us,” Sanchez said.
As New Mexico State adjusted to LA Tech’s tactics, a relieving 7 points was finally added onto the Aggie’s score, resulting from a 41-yard touchdown from Brodrick Malone and a successful extra point kick from Hawk, chalking the points up to 7-24.
After being given another chance with an enormous turnover by Aggie linebacker Tyler Martinez, NMSU tapped into their revived confidence as quarterback Logan Fife threw a dart down to PJ Johnson III, earning the Aggies another touchdown; chipping away at the Bulldog’s lead. Louisiana replied with a swift field goal by Hoyet to end the first half at 14-27.
NMSU’s Tory Gethers started off the third quarter with an exceptional sack – making a statement that the Aggies were not as defensively disadvantaged as they appeared. Although no points were scored by either team, tensions were high as the fourth quarter rolled in and the Aggies continued their struggle to catch up.
“We gave up explosive plays, [but] then we really came in the third quarter and played good football,” Sanchez said.
A shocking touchdown for LA Tech, scored unusually by a defensive lineman, Jacob Bradford lit up the board as the fourth quarter score increased to 14-34. NMSU proceeded to fall further and further behind, as two more touchdowns, a two-point conversion, and a field goal, all for Louisiana, tanked down the Aggies with a final game score of 14-49.
“We got a chance to win that game, and then it just completely fell apart,” Sanchez said, post-game. “So, we [have] to look at ourselves internally and figure out how we’re going to move forward from this.”
NMSU Football will play again on Sept. 27 against the University of New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
