TAKEAWAYS: New Mexico State Earn First Consecutive Bowl Trips In 60 Years

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders entered this game in need of a win. However, on the other side of the field, were the New Mexico State Aggies, who were

© Meg Potter/Sun-News / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders entered this game in need of a win. However, on the other side of the field, were the New Mexico State Aggies, who were looking to clinch a bowl game for a second straight season. 

A Chess Match in the First Half

Through most of the first half, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders looked like the sixth-ranked scoring offense in the conference, but towards the end of the first half, the offense woke up.

On 3rd & 8, running back Frank Peasant ran the ball 30 yards, which was then followed by quarterback Nick Vattiato's gain of nine. The Blue Raiders' offense was then able to tie the game at seven apiece thanks to a 27-yard pass to receiver DJ England-Chisolm.

Although it felt as if the New Mexico State Aggies were in control through the first half, it felt like something was off. Early on, having a 58-yard punt return touchdown called back, the Aggies offense only scored a touchdown thanks to a one-yard rush down the middle by Ron Tiavaasue. The Aggies were then able to quickly push the ball down the field to set themselves up for a first half ending field goal.

At the half, the Aggies led 10-7. New Mexico State had 278 total yards of offense. Specifically NMSU had success passing the ball with quarterback Diego Pavia throwing for 173 yards and completing 13 of 24 passes, but threw an interception.

As for the Blue Raiders, up until the final minute or two of the second quarter, the offense had under 100 yards of offense, but their late touchdown put them at 123 total yards, which included 50 rushing yards and 73 passing yards. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato threw for 73 yards, one touchdown and completed nine of 16 passes.

The Aggies are going bowling

With a 13-7 win over MTSU, NMSU have reached seven wins and automatic bowl eligibility, since they scheduled 13 regular season games this season. The Aggies have not played in a bowl game in consecutive years since the 1959 and 1960 Sun Bowls.

Although the Aggies' defense gave up 183 total yards in the second half, they kept the Blue Raiders scoreless despite a strong performance from MTSU Quarterback Nick Vattiato, who picked up 83 rushing yards and then threw for 164 yards, completing 18 of 30 passes.

With 3:57 left in the game, the Middle Tennessee offense made one last chance to drive down the field. Beginning the drive on their own 10-yard line, the Blue Raiders drove all the way down to the New Mexico State 16 yard line, but just weren't able to finish the job.

In the red zone, the Blue Raiders' offense ran the clock all the way down to three seconds, but on fourth and nine, Vattiato's pass which was intended to Elijah Metcalf was incomplete, which ended the game.

With the Blue Raiders' loss, they will fail to reach six wins in the regular season for the first time since 2020. At 3-7, MTSU are set to take on the Florida International Panthers on November 11 in Murfreesboro.