by Malcolm Butler
LAS CRUCES, NM – Louisiana Tech’s bid for a second straight win came up short when the Bulldogs fell 33-30 in double overtime to New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium Tuesday night.
Tech (2-4, 1-2 CUSA) had numerous opportunities late in the fourth quarter and in both overtimes to secure a win, but the Bulldogs were unable to put the nail in the coffin.
“It was a tough game,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “The biggest takeaway for me is I don’t know if we gathered our team’s attention like we should have on a short five-day turnaround. We had chances to make plays in all three (phases) of the (game). It’s disappointing.”
After New Mexico State (2-5, 1-2) drove down the field and tied the game at 24-24 on a 4-yard TD run with just under two minutes to play, Tech countered.
Red-shirt freshman Evan Bullock spearheaded a drive that saw the Bulldogs go 66-yards on 10 plays, including a crucial 17-yard pass to Tru Edwards on a third down and 15, helping set up a potential game-winning field goal.
On the final play of regulation, Buck Buchanan’s 27-yard field goal from straight away was blocked, sending the contest into overtime.
“(The kick) looked low from the field,” said Cumbie. “I also think the snap was a little bit high, and I think that threw Buck’s rhythm off. It created a bit of hesitation. And on that operation, a slight bit of hesitation is going to throw everything off. I think that is what happened.
“I just knew we were going to nail it and walk it off. But it didn’t happen.”
After the Aggies kicked a field goal on their first overtime possession, Tech had an opportunity to win it with a touchdown. However, one third and four from the 19-yard line, Bullock overthrew an open Edwards in the endzone, forcing a Buchanan 37-yard field goal that tied it.
“I don’t think this was Evan’s best performance,” said Cumbie. “I think it took him a little while to get settled. Some of that is guys creating space and making plays around him, and the O-line giving him the protection he needs. I think he had some clutch moments. He had a couple of throws on the last drive (in regulation) and how many third and longs did he complete over the middle of the field.
“He was able to keep us in the game and answer when we needed answers. He had two throws in the endzone that he had where we had a chance to finish it (in overtime), but didn’t connect. As a redshirt freshman you learn from those.”
In the second over, the Bulldogs once again stalled. Buchanan connected on a 36-yard field goal to give Tech a 30-27 advantage. It didn’t last.
The Aggies, who snapped a five-game losing streak, took four plays to drive 25 yards, capped by the game-winning four-yard TD run by Mike Washington.
The Bulldogs have now lost four games by a total of 23 points this season, including a pair of overtime losses by three points.
Five days after putting 48 points on the board in a win over Middle Tennessee, the Tech offense sputtered out of the gate.
New Mexico State took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter on a 53-yard TD pass from Parker Awod to TJ Pride on a third down play.
Tech finally found its offensive rhythm late in the quarter as Bullock drove the Bulldogs 75 yards on 15 plays capped by a 7-yard strike to Edwards for the first of the duo’s two scoring hookups.
The Bulldogs took their next offensive possession and drove 55 yards, taking a 14-7 lead on Omiri Wiggins 1-yard plunge with less than two minutes to go before the half. Wiggins led Tech with 60 yards rushing.
New Mexico State would add a 48-yard field goal right before the half to cut the deficit to 14-10.
The Aggies scored the only points of the third quarter on a 7-yard TD run by backup QB Brandon Nunez, giving NMSU a 17-14 lead.
A 41-yard Buchanan field goal with 12:11 to play in regulation tied the game at 17-17. Tech retook the lead with 4:54 to play on a 15-yard TD pass from Bullock to Edwards, who finished with 102 yards receiving.
However, the Bulldogs defense couldn’t hold it as the Aggies marched down the field and tied the game with 1:47 to play, setting up the dramatic ending to regulation and overtime.
NMSU entered the game allowing more than 250 yards per game on the ground. However, Tech managed just 135 yards on 44 carries, with the majority of that coming in the fourth quarter and overtimes.
“NMSU played better tonight up front,” said Cumbie. “They had some big bodies up front. I don’t think we executed well up front like we needed to. Our backs finally settled in as the game went on.”
Tech returns to action Tuesday when the Bulldogs host UTEP at 7 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium.
