Running back rushes for 178 yards and converts a crucial fourth down as Aggies improve to 2-1 in Conference USA play

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - James Jones rushed for 178 yards and delivered a crucial fourth-down conversion in the closing seconds Wednesday night as New Mexico State held off Sam Houston 30-24 for its first road victory of the season.

The Aggies (3-4, 2-1 Conference USA) built a 13-point lead late in the third quarter before the Bearkats (1-6, 0-3) pulled within six with four minutes remaining.

Rather than give Sam Houston another opportunity, NM State put the game in Jones' hands.

The Aggies ran the ball on six consecutive plays, including a 30-yard gain by Jones that moved the offense deep into Bearkat territory. Facing fourth-and-2 at the Sam Houston 33-yard line with 30 seconds remaining, Jones gained just enough for a first down to secure the victory.

Jones finished with 178 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown, surpassing 2,000 career rushing yards across his NCAA career.

His performance was the best single-game rushing total by an NM State running back since Jason Huntley's 191-yard outing against UTEP in November 2019.

Aggies overcome disastrous opening

NM State's first possession ended badly when Sam Houston blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Bearkats an early 7-0 advantage.

The Aggies' defense helped reverse that momentum in the second quarter.

Josiah Charles intercepted Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke and returned the ball deep into Bearkat territory. Jones scored from a yard out on the next play, tying the game 7-7 with 10:07 remaining before halftime.

Sam Houston regained the lead on a 38-yard field goal by Samuel Carpenter, but NM State answered in the final minute of the half.

Quarterback Adam Damante moved the Aggies 43 yards in just two plays, connecting with AJ Williams III for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds remaining.

The score gave NM State a 14-10 halftime lead.

Despite the blocked punt and early deficit, the Aggie defense dominated much of the first half, holding Sam Houston to just 13 total offensive yards and forcing three three-and-outs.

Third-quarter touchdowns extend lead

Sam Houston wasted little time reclaiming the lead after halftime.

On the Bearkats' opening possession of the third quarter, Locke connected with Tim Burns Jr. for an 81-yard touchdown, putting Sam Houston ahead 17-14 just 20 seconds into the period.

NM State responded with a 60-yard scoring drive fueled by Jones, whose 31-yard run pushed him past 100 rushing yards for the night.

Damante capped the possession with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Williams, the receiver's second score of the game, restoring the Aggies' lead at 21-17.

Kyah Francone added a 25-yard field goal later in the quarter, extending the advantage to 24-17.

The Aggies then capitalized on another Sam Houston mistake.

Defensive tackle Kaian Roberts-Day recovered a fumble, giving NM State possession in Bearkat territory. The Aggies used a double-pass play to set up a 20-yard completion from Damante to Williams, moving the offense into a first-and-goal situation.

TJ Washington Jr. finished the short drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, pushing NM State ahead 30-17 with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.

The Aggies had scored 16 unanswered points, but Sam Houston wasn't finished.

Ground game closes out victory

The Bearkats cut the deficit to 30-24 when MJ Dowdy scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with four minutes remaining.

NM State responded by turning to its running game, controlling the ball for the final four minutes and preventing Sam Houston from mounting another drive.

Jones' fourth-down conversion sealed the six-point win.

The Aggies finished with 203 rushing yards and 363 yards of total offense, compared with 246 total yards for Sam Houston.

Damante completed 19 of 29 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Williams caught both scoring passes, becoming the second Aggie this season to record two receiving touchdowns in a game.

Defensively, NM State limited Sam Houston to just 11 rushing yards on 20 carries, the program's best single-game performance against the run since holding Alcorn State to minus-13 yards in October 2008.

The Aggies also recorded two sacks and forced two turnovers. The defense has now produced at least one takeaway in 22 of its past 23 games.

The victory was NM State's first in Huntsville and improved the program's all-time record against Sam Houston to 3-1.

It also marked the Aggies' first road victory in a midweek Conference USA game since 2023.

NM State has now won all three games this season in which it has rushed for at least 200 yards.

The Aggies return home Wednesday, Oct. 28, to face Jacksonville State in another nationally televised Conference USA matchup.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.