Liberty spoils NMSU homecoming despite Williams’ two touchdowns
NMSU fell to Liberty 30-14 on homecoming in Las Cruces despite 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns from AJ Williams III.
AJ Williams III caught eight passes for 150 yards, but the Aggies surrendered two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 30-14 loss in Las Cruces.
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
Key Numbers
LAS CRUCES - AJ Williams III gave New Mexico State a chance to knock off Conference USA’s leader Saturday night. Liberty answered with two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to put the game away.
Williams caught eight passes for 150 yards and both Aggie touchdowns in a 30-14 homecoming loss at Aggie Memorial Stadium. His second scoring catch brought NMSU within two points early in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies couldn’t finish the comeback.
NMSU fell to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play. Liberty improved to 8-1 and remained unbeaten in CUSA at 5-0.
Making his first start since Sept. 26, quarterback Trey Hedden led the Aggies to a touchdown on their opening possession. Williams accounted for 64 yards on three catches during the seven-play, 75-yard drive, finishing it with a 24-yard touchdown reception for a 7-0 lead.
NMSU’s defense initially kept Liberty out of the end zone. Tory Gethers recorded a tackle for loss and a sack on consecutive plays after the Flames reached the Aggies’ 4-yard line, forcing a field goal. A later sack by Sone Aupiu helped limit another Liberty possession to three points.
But the Flames kept accumulating points. Chase Reeves made field goals of 35, 41 and 49 yards before Deshawn Purdie found Makai Jackson for a 15-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the half, giving Liberty a 16-7 advantage.
Aggies close the gap
After the teams traded punts to open the second half, Hedden and Williams helped revive the NMSU offense.
A 44-yard connection moved the Aggies into Liberty territory during a 12-play, 90-yard drive that stretched into the fourth quarter. Hedden found Myles Libman for 20 yards on third down, then connected with Williams for a 5-yard touchdown on another third down.
The extra point cut Liberty’s lead to 16-14 with 13 minutes remaining.
Liberty responded with a five-play, 78-yard drive capped by Kam Davis’ 8-yard touchdown run. NMSU reached the Flames’ 28-yard line on its next possession, but an incomplete fourth-down pass ended the threat with 6:11 left.
The Flames then consumed more than five minutes on a 72-yard touchdown drive, with Peyton Jones scoring from a yard out. An interception ended NMSU’s final possession.
Big receiving night, limited ground game
Williams’ reception and yardage totals were career highs at the Division I level and the best by an Aggie receiver this season. His two touchdowns brought his season total to five.
Hedden completed 19 of 29 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. James Jones rushed for 51 yards on 15 carries, while NMSU finished with 44 net rushing yards after sacks.
Liberty outgained the Aggies 399-300 and held the ball for 37:05. NMSU committed three turnovers and forced none.
The loss dropped the Aggies to 2-3 at home with one game remaining at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
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.
