Overtime thriller
New Mexico State treats homecoming crowd to victory over UL Lafayette, 37-31
LAS CRUCES — The homecoming celebration started late at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
The New Mexico State Aggies were just glad to have something to celebrate.
In one of the oddest endings anyone’s likely to see, New Mexico State pulled out a wild 37-31 double-overtime victory over Louisiana Lafayette when offensive lineman Sebastian Anderson recovered teammate Larry Rose III’s fumble in the end zone on the game’s final play.
This, after the Cajuns scored on a recovered fumble in the first overtime, and NMSU missed a chip-shot field goal at the end of regulation.
“Everything happened tonight except a lunar eclipse,” Aggies coach Doug Martin said. “… I obviously would have preferred to win with a field goal from the 3-yard line in regulation, but the character and fight our guys showed is something we can build on. I’m really proud of our team right now.”
In a way the strange ending felt like justice because New Mexico State outgained and largely outplayed the Ragin’ Cajuns for most of the night. A defensive unit that has struggled mightily through the past several seasons made numerous key plays Saturday, including coming up with a stop in the second overtime.
Safety Jacob Nwangwa led the way with a career-best 19 tackles, and linebacker Rodney Butler had a monster night with 18 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the first overtime.
Unfortunately for Butler, ULL’s Darius Hoggins recovered that fumble in the end zone. Neither that nor Parker Davidson’s deflating field-goal miss as regulation expired were enough to deny the Aggies (2-3, 1-1 Sun Belt Conference).
“We just have to take it as it is,” Butler said with a shake of his head. “When bad things happen, we just keep working hard as a defense and find a way.”
New Mexico State’s way to victory included a heavy dose of Rose, who saw his most extended playing time after missing three games because of preseason sports hernia surgery. Rose rushed 23 times for 117 yards and touchdown. He also had three receptions for 49 yards.
The junior was a bit sheepish about fumbling in the second overtime, the ball coming loose as he tried to reach across the goal line. He was more than relieved that Anderson recovered.
“I always say ‘Give the O-line credit,’ ” Rose said. “I really have to do it tonight.”
Quarterback Tyler Rogers passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns and came up with several key running plays in the second half for NMSU. Wideout Gregory Hogan had his best night as an Aggie with 11 catches for 172 yards, including a 23-yard TD grab in the first overtime.
Louisiana Lafayette (2-3, 1-1) was a bit short-handed without top running back Elijah McGuire, who suffered an undisclosed injury last week and picked up just a handful of carries Saturday. Still, the Cajuns hung around behind wideout Al Riles (eight catches, 110 yards) and the rushing of quarterback Jalen Nixon.
Nixon came in after starter Anthony Jennings tossed two first-half interceptions, one of which was returned 42 yards for a touchdown by NMSU’s Jaden Wright. The Aggies led 21-13 at halftime.
ULL rallied to tie the game after picking off a Rogers pass in the third quarter. Jordan Wright’s 7-yard run and a 2-point conversion pass made it 21-all heading to the fourth.
After each team kicked a field goal, it seemed the Aggies had taken control with a 10-play drive inside the Cajuns’ 5 as regulation ran down. It wouldn’t be that easy, however.
“With us it’s like we can’t ever catch a break,” Rose said. “We always have to be ready for the worst-case scenario. I guess we were ready for it this time.”
The announced crowd was 8,142.