Las Cruces Football Team Faces Tough Defeat Against Western Kentucky
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico – It was a tough afternoon for the New Mexico State Aggies football team as they suffered a disappointing 41-28 loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday. With this defeat, the Aggies’ record fell to 2-7 for the season, leaving them with just three games remaining to turn things around.
Tough Breaks for the Aggies
The Aggies struggled throughout the game, primarily due to a staggering five turnovers that ultimately cost them dearly. Out of these turnovers, there were three fumbles and two interceptions, allowing Western Kentucky to capitalize significantly and score 20 points off these mistakes. Starting quarterback Santino Marucci tossed two interceptions and fumbled once, while backup Brandon Nunez and running back Mike Washington each contributed to the turnover tally with fumbles of their own.
Critical Moments Shift Momentum
The first major turning point came late in the first half. The Aggies were poised to score a touchdown while trailing 21-7 with less than six minutes left. On a critical 3rd and 12 at WKU’s 14-yard line, Nunez attempted to scramble, but in the process, he fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Hosea Wheeler of Western Kentucky. This blunder proved costly as the Hilltoppers quickly took advantage of the situation, marching down the field to nail a 42-yard field goal as the clock expired, extending their lead to 24-7 going into halftime.
A Comeback Effort Falls Short
Despite the challenging start, the Aggies came out swinging after halftime. They scored two quick touchdowns, narrowing the gap to just 24-21 by the end of the third quarter. Mike Washington and Seth McGowan were particularly instrumental during this rally, with Washington finding the end zone followed closely by McGowan plunging into the end zone from short yardage.
However, just as the Aggies seemed to be gaining momentum, Western Kentucky retaliated with a touchdown, pushing their lead back up to ten points. The final nail in the coffin came during the fourth quarter when a fumble by Washington halted a promising drive, allowing the Hilltoppers to score yet again with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Caden Veltkamp to K.D. Hutchinson. After that, all hope seemed lost for New Mexico State, whose confidence ultimately waned as the game progressed.
A Look at the Rushing Game
On a brighter note for the Aggies, they showcased an impressive rushing game with a season-best 331 rushing yards on a total of 55 carries. The standout performers were undoubtedly Washington and McGowan, who racked up a stunning 271 rushing yards between them. Washington led the charge with 158 yards, while McGowan contributed 119 yards. This marked a historical achievement, as it was the first time in several years that two Aggie rushers surpassed the 100-yard mark in a single game.
Looking Ahead
With the outcome of this game, the Aggies now know that a bowl appearance is off the table for this season, snapping their two-year streak of making bowl games. As they move forward, their next challenge will come against No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday, November 16. Although the challenges appear daunting, the team will be eager to regroup and battle back strong.
As the 2024 season begins to wind down, all eyes will be on the Aggies as they aim to finish strong with pride and determination. Let’s hope they can pull together and find a way to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matchups!
