LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State jumped out to an early lead and Sam Houston was forced to play catchup in a 27-13 setback at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Aggies (4-3, 2-1 CUSA) scored 14 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second to take a commanding 27-0 lead into the break. Sam Houston put the pressure on NM State with 13 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters but fell short to drop to 0-6 on the season and 0-3 in league play.
The Bearkats finally broke through in the second half thanks to a key play on special teams. After forcing the Aggies to punt from their own 33-yard line,
Jadarius Brown cleared the line of scrimmaged and blocked the kick to give Sam Houston the ball at the 18.
After a short run on first down, quarterback
Keegan Shoemaker hit
Noah Smith over the middle for a 16-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 27-6 in the third quarter.
The Kats later drove into NM State territory again thanks to a 33-yard pass from Shoemaker to
Malik Phillips and a 16-yard run by
Adrian Murdaugh. The drive stalled and Sam Houston missed a 45-yard field goal right before the quarter ended.
The defense held again on the ensuing possession to get the ball back for Sam Houston. Shoemaker again hit Phillips for a big play, a 30-yard pitch and catch to the Aggie 40.
Shoemaker was able to rattle off a 23-yard run to get in the red zone then he capped the drive with his second touchdown pass to Smith, this time from six yards out to cut the lead to 27-13.
Sam Houston once again got a stop to force a punt and went on the march again deep into the Aggies' side of the field on the next possession, but a deep pass to Smith on fourth and long that would have given the Kats the ball inside the 10 was overturned on review that put an end to Sam Houston's comeback attempt.
The Bearkats return home to face Florida International on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.
