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LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Double digits penalties and a number of miscues were too much for the Utah State Aggies (1-4) to overcome as New Mexico State's Kyle Hughes hits a 28-yard field goal on the last play of the game.
Despite racking up 12 penalties for 128 yards, USU looked to be at least headed to overtime before giving up a huge punt return with less than two minutes to play. NMSU's Marcus Anderson returned the ball all the way to the USU 29 to set up the southern Aggies game-winning field goal.
NMSU set up the win by stuffing Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel on a third-and-1 with 2 minutes remaining, forcing Utah State to punt from the New Mexico State 46-yard line.
New Mexico State moved the ball down to the Aggies 11-yard line before settling for a 28-yard field goal attempt with three seconds left. NMSU's Hughes remained perfect on the season as he hooked in the game-winning attempt.
Utah State was robbed of a 38-yard touchdown pass on its first possession - the first time this season the Aggies failed to score on their opening drive - and the offense sputtered for the remainder of the game as USU lost its WAC opener.
NMSU (3-3) jumped out to a 10-0 lead, largely due to USU miscues, but the Aggies were able to battle back to tie the game heading into the half. Coming out of the intermission, the Aggies scored again to take their first lead, 17-10, but that would be the end of their offensive production.
USU sophomore running back Robert Turbin led the Aggies in a big way, rushing for 187 yards on 24 carries, but questionable penalties at untimely moments cost Utah State dearly. The Aggies had three gains of 40 yards or more negated by holding penalties alone.
Borel had his worst game since the season opener against Utah, going 15-of-25, for 156 yards and a touchdown to Xavier Bowman. Wide receiver Stanley Morrison threw the other Aggie touchdown to fellow wide receiver Omar Sawyer.
The touchdown was Morrison's second of the season. He also connected on a 29-yard score to Turbin against Southern Utah on Sept. 26.
Utah State outgained NMSU, 429-230, but the southern Aggies took advantage of USU mistakes that gave them good field position. Punt returner Josh Flores fumbled the ball during the first quarter, giving the ball to the NMSU near midfield. That drive, along with the long punt return, led to 10 of the Newmags 20 points.
USU must now regroup for a two-game conference home stand against two of the WAC's tougher teams. The Aggies host the Nevada Wolf Pack next Saturday, and then host Louisiana Tech the following week.
(Copyright 2008 Bonneville International Corporation. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed. AP contributed to this report.)
