New Mexico State claimed a stunning 26-20 overtime victory over Utah State in the 2017 Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Here are 3 big takeaways from the game.
The 2017 Arizona Bowl came down to a battle of field goals and turnovers in a game that saw both teams battling to break away and claim victory. In the end, New Mexico State was able to pull ahead for the win in overtime. Savon Scarver set an Arizona Bowl record with his 96-yard kickoff return that put Utah State on the board in the first quarter, and then the record fell mere seconds later when New Mexico State’s Jason Huntley ran in a 100-yard kickoff return. A perpetually tied score led to overtime, where the New Mexico State Aggies were able to break away and win 26-20.
New Mexico State got on the board in the first quarter with a 24-yard field goal from Dylan Brown. That’s when Utah State’s Scarver’s 96-yard kickoff return put the Aggies up 7-3. New Mexico answered with Jason Huntley’s 100-yard kickoff return to make it 10-7 New Mexico.
The second quarter was a game of field goals. Utah State tied the game early on with a 35-yard field goal from Dominik Eberle, which Dylan Brown countered with a 33-yard shot of his own. Eberle came back again with a 30-yard field goal right before halftime to tie the game at 13-13.
The third quarter was quiet, and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter until LaJuan Hunt scored on a one-yard run to give the Utah State Aggies the first lead of the game. An overturned call led to Tyler Rogers connecting with Jaleel Scott for an 11 -yard touchdown. Brown’s extra point was good, and the game tied up yet again at 20-20 with 6:31 to play.
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The game went to overtime and New Mexico won the toss. Eberle missed another field goal for Utah State with the win on the line, setting up New Mexico State for a touchdown run to win the game 26-20 over Utah State.
Here are 3 takeaways from New Mexico State’s 26-20 victory over Utah State in the Arizona Bowl:
You can’t miss field goals at bowl games
The 2017 Arizona Bowl was a battle of field goals, with four successful field goals between the two teams. When it comes to winning close games like these, you simply can’t miss field goal opportunities. It almost always comes back to bite you, and Utah State’s Dominik Eberle learned that the hard way when his four missed field goals cost his team the game. Four missed field goals in a game that could have been decided by a single field goal is a hard way to lose.
Scott is one tough guy
Senior Jaleel Scott rolled his ankle early in the game. The senior wide receiver came into the Arizona Bowl with 1042 yards on 73 receptions with eight touchdowns, but he was held to three carries and 37 yards. Despite the injury, Scott kept coming back and even scored a key touchdown. This was a tough game for New Mexico State and the senior veteran fought through the pain to help his team. It paid off late in the fourth quarter when Scott scored a critical touchdown on an overturned call, tying the game and keeping New Mexico State in the hunt.
New Mexico persistence pays off
After 57 years, New Mexico State looked like it was going to miss an opportunity to win their first bowl game in close to six decades. They persisted at the 2017 Arizona Bowl, and after Eberle’s missed field goal in overtime, they rallied back for the victory. It was a sweet win for a team that fought hard all season, and throughout the game, to claim the title.
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With the win at the Arizona Bowl, the New Mexico State Aggies finish the 2017 season 7-6 while the Utah State Aggies fall to 6-7.