LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After an accident involving the team's three buses on the way to the game delayed kickoff 90 minutes, the Texas State football team battled New Mexico State Saturday evening at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The Aggies came out on top in the contest 50-10 after forcing four early turnovers.
 
With the loss, the Bobcats fall to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the Sun Belt Conference while the Aggies improve to 3-7 and 2-4 in conference play.
 
NMSU got on the scoreboard first on a reverse pass from wide receiver Johnathan Boone to quarterback Tyler Rogers from nine yards out. The score was set up as the Aggies recovered a fumble and only had to drive 42 yards.
 
Texas State returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards. However, on the first play of the drive the Bobcats fumbled after completing a shovel pass. Two plays later, Rogers found Royce Caldwell for a 25-yard touchdown pass giving NMSU a 14-0 lead.
 
After intercepting a pass from Tyler Jones, the Aggies found the end zone again when Rogers scrambled from nine yards out to go up 21-0 halfway through the first quarter. NMSU scored its fourth touchdown of the first quarter after a 5-play, 52-yard drive. The drive began when the Aggies picked off a swing pass intended for Tyler Siudzinski.
 
In the second quarter, NMSU kicked a field goal with 9:52 remaining on the clock. Almost six minutes later the Aggies tacked on a touchdown on a pass from 18 yards out to increase their advantage to 38-0 and the last score of the first half.
 
NMSU scored first in the second half when they kicked a 27-yard field goal with 5:38 left in the third quarter after an 11-play, 61-yard drive that took 3:48 off the clock.
 
On the ensuing drive and facing third down and 10 from his own 25, Connor White rumbled 45 yards for a first down. It is the longest run by a Bobcat this season. Two plays later, White was hit as he threw the ball but there were two flags on the play, defensive holding and roughing the passer with target that saw the Aggies' Dalton Herrington get ejected.
 
Texas State was able to move the ball just two more yards before having to settle for a field goal attempt. Marcus Ripley sent the 29-yard attempt through the uprights to cut the deficit to 41-3 with just under two minutes left in the third quarter.
 
After a short punt by the Bobcats, NMSU's Nick Jeanty found Scott Jaleel for a 35-yard strike for a touchdown with 8:15 remaining in the game. The PAT was missed to make it 50-3 for the Aggies.
 
On the first play of the Bobcats' ensuing drive, Eddie Printz hit Mason Hays for 43 yards to the Aggies' 30. The duo hooked on the next play for 16 yards to put Texas State in the red zone. Three plays later, Anthony Taylor bullied his way into the end zone from 10 yards out for his first career touchdown. The Ripley nailed the PAT to cut the deficit to 50-10 with just under six minutes left for the final score of the game.
 
Jones, who played the first half, was 13-for-22 passing for 97 and three interceptions. White was 1-of-4 throwing the ball for six yards but added 36 yards on the ground. Finishing the game 3-for-6 for 80 yards was Printz.
 
On the ground, Stedman Mayberry led the team with 13 carries for 61 yards. Tyler Siudzinski added 23 yards on six carries and Taylor had 14 yards on six rushes and the lone touchdown of the night.
 
Hays had a career night as he caught six passes for 100 yards. He became the first Texas State receiver to reach the century mark since Thurman Morbley reached the mark against Incarnate Word. Tyler Watts was the only other Bobcat with multiple catches (7) and finished with 48 yards.
 
Bryan London led the Bobcats with 11 tackles, five of them solo, and with 1.5 tackles for a loss. He also forced a fumble in the second quarter that was recovered by Hal Vinson. Damani Alexcee had eight tackles and a pass break up on the night.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is a meeting with Troy at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 in Bobcat Stadium.