LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — New Mexico State defeated Western Kentucky 34-13 on Thursday at Aggie Memorial Stadium in a Football Bowl Subdivision game. The Aggies used timely defensive plays, efficient passing and enough red-zone execution to pull away from the Hilltoppers. New Mexico State moved to 1-3, and Western Kentucky also moved to 1-3. The home crowd saw the Aggies score in multiple phases and keep Western Kentucky from stringing together enough offense to complete a comeback. Western Kentucky moved the ball through the air for much of the night, but New Mexico State made the decisive plays in key moments.

Western Kentucky opened the scoring when Karl Campbell connected on a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter. New Mexico State answered with Ilya Uvaydov’s 52-yard field goal, and Uvaydov later added a 28-yard kick to push the Aggies ahead. The second quarter brought the game’s biggest swing when D. Peters intercepted a Rodney Tisdale Jr. pass at the Western Kentucky 45-yard line and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Uvaydov’s extra point followed. Adam Damante then scored on a 1-yard rush, and Uvaydov added the extra point. Before halftime, Campbell made a 41-yard field goal for the Hilltoppers. In the third quarter, Brock Glenn broke free for a 9-yard touchdown run, and Campbell kicked the extra point. New Mexico State added a 7-yard touchdown run by J.Jones in the fourth quarter, with Uvaydov converting the extra point. The Aggies later finished the scoring to arrive at the final margin. Western Kentucky’s offense had moments of rhythm, but the interception return and New Mexico State’s red-zone execution proved difficult to overcome.

Damante was New Mexico State’s top star. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback completed 15 of 26 passes for 146 yards and accounted for two touchdowns, including a 1-yard rushing score. He also recorded one reception for a 4-yard loss. In his previous recent performance against New Mexico, Damante completed 16 of 19 passes for 157 yards and rushed for 3 yards with a touchdown. Against Western Kentucky, he managed the offense efficiently and helped the Aggies capitalize on short fields and defensive momentum. His rushing touchdown in the second quarter gave New Mexico State another scoring answer after the Hilltoppers had stayed within reach. Damante’s ability to distribute the ball and avoid major mistakes allowed the Aggies to maintain control as the game moved into the second half.

Rodney Tisdale Jr. led Western Kentucky’s passing attack. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback from Jacksonville, Fla., completed 29 of 40 passes for 314 yards. He was intercepted once, on the return by Peters that changed the momentum in the second quarter. Jonathan Stafford Jr. was Tisdale’s most reliable target, finishing with 10 receptions for 108 yards. Quincy Burroughs caught three passes for 62 yards, while Moussa Barry added four receptions for 38 yards. Ajay Allen rushed nine times for 17 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards. Brock Glenn rushed seven times for 23 yards and scored on a 9-yard run. Sincere Baines returned three kickoffs for 68 yards and rushed twice for 4 yards. Le’Kamren Meadows had two rushes for 4 yards, one reception for 6 yards and two kickoff returns for 36 yards. Cameron Flowers had one rush for 9 yards and one reception for 19 yards. Lofton Howard caught three passes for 20 yards. Qua’Vez Humphreys added one reception for 22 yards, Zion Taylor had one for 12 yards, and Coleson Arends had one for 3 yards.

Western Kentucky’s defense produced several noteworthy efforts despite the final score. Jaylen Lewis recorded nine tackles. Westen Ard made eight tackles. Jaylen Wester had seven tackles and an interception. Tony Newsome Jr. and Justin Brown each finished with six tackles. Zsacari Minnis and Dave Herard each made three tackles. Braxton Myers, Latrevion Thompson, Christian White, Zeiqui Lawton and Mackavelli Malotumau each recorded two tackles. Thompson also added a sack. Josaiah Knight contributed one tackle and one quarterback hurry. Jacob Cosby-Mosley, Darius Hampton, Jakeem Fletcher, Elin Jones, Jordan Donald and Geajorm Akpaloo each made one tackle. Jackson Smith punted six times for 255 yards, helping Western Kentucky manage field position. The Hilltoppers’ defense forced enough stops to keep the game within reach into the second half, but New Mexico State’s offense made the plays needed to extend the lead.

New Mexico State’s defense was led by Nick Session, who made 10 tackles. Tory Gethers finished with seven tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Lorenzo Smith added seven tackles. Chance Barron, Brad Vislisel and Sone Aupiu each recorded four tackles, with Vislisel adding a sack. Jakobe Campbell and Josiah Charles each made three tackles, and Fa’apaia Fualema also had three tackles. TK King caught two passes for 21 yards, returned two punts for 5 yards and scored a touchdown. Lyndon Ravare caught two passes for 24 yards. Myles Libman had two receptions for 19 yards. Brodie Malone-Bradford caught one pass for 17 yards. Ilya Uvaydov made multiple field goals and extra points, while D. Peters delivered the game’s most important defensive play with his interception return for a touchdown. The Aggies’ defensive front generated pressure and limited explosive plays after the early exchanges.

Western Kentucky is scheduled to host Missouri State next. New Mexico State is scheduled to visit Florida International next. Both teams will look to build on the result as they continue their schedules. The Aggies’ win gave them a home victory, while the Hilltoppers remained focused on correcting mistakes before their next matchup.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of New Mexico State 33, Western Kentucky 29. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Western Kentucky with a 73.4 percent probability to win. Western Kentucky had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +2.5. The total score of 47 went over the over/under line of 55.5.