Jacksonville State 54-13 New Mexico State (Oct. 9, 2024) Game Recap

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Tyler Huff passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, Tre Stewart had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score and Jacksonville State lost to New Mexico State 54-13 on Wednesday night.

Jacksonville State (3-3, 2-0 Conference USA), which recorded eight rushing touchdowns at Kennesaw State on Friday, used six rushers to combine for 49 carries, 334 yards and five touchdowns. Logan Smothers' lone run resulted in a 72-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter and a 54-6 lead.

New Mexico State (1-5, 0-3) had just 13 first downs and 220 yards in three quarters. The Aggies finished the game with 350 yards and three turnovers – the last being an interception by Travis Franklin Jr. in the end zone on the final play of the game.

JSU scored on four of its final five drives of the first half to lead 33-6. The Gamecocks continued in the second half with three consecutive shots on goal to put the game away.

Stewart broke free up the middle and scored from 48 yards out to take a 26-6 lead with 1:25 left in the first half. Then New Mexico State turned things around on their next possession when Jawaun Campbell forced a fumble that teammate J-Rock Swain recovered. Jacksonville State's field position improved even further after an unnecessary roughing penalty led to Huff's 2-yard TD.

Huff was 11 of 18 for 196 yards and he carried the ball 13 times for 58 yards. Stewart threw the ball 21 times for 118 yards and his only catch brought him a score of 32 yards.

Scary moments

NMSU running back Monte Watkins was carted off the field and loaded into an on-field ambulance with 9:27 left in the second quarter after a trick play went wrong. Quarterback Santino Marucci pretended to get an audible shot from the sideline, and the direct snap went to Watkins, who was hit hard while trying to recover a fumble.

Two minutes later, Marucci remained on the field for several minutes after blocking a shot to the head from Fred Perry. After a review, Perry was removed from circulation for targeted attacks. Marucci returned on New Mexico State's next possession.

Marucci finished 3 of 10 for 24 yards. Backup Parker Awad, who played most of the second half, completed 9 of 16 passes for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

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