MIAMI (Interstat) — Florida International used a stifling defense and five field goals from Robert Czeremcha to beat New Mexico State 22-3 on Wednesday at Pitbull Stadium in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game. The Golden Panthers improved to 3-2, while the Aggies dropped to 2-4. A crowd of 10,013 watched the home team control the game from the opening quarter.

Anthony Carrie opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run. New Mexico State’s only points came on Kyah Francone’s 26-yard field goal. Czeremcha then made field goals from 40, 52, 33, 21 and 48 yards. A 13-yard touchdown run by Devonte Lyons was nullified by a holding penalty. In the fourth quarter, a Trey Hedden pass play was reviewed and overturned. The Golden Panthers kept the Aggies out of the end zone and protected their lead with steady special teams.

JJ Kohl of Florida International, a 6-7, 250-pound quarterback from Ankeny, Iowa, completed 12 of 21 passes for 115 yards. Adam Damante of New Mexico State, a 6-2, 180-pound quarterback, completed 9 of 22 passes for 104 yards. Trey Hedden of New Mexico State, a 6-3, 231-pound quarterback, completed 2 of 8 passes for 19 yards. Lorenzo Smith of New Mexico State, a 6-0, 190-pound cornerback, made four tackles. Obinna Okeke of New Mexico State, a 6-3, 246-pound defender, had four tackles and one quarterback hurry. Gabe Peterson of New Mexico State, a 6-2, 250-pound linebacker, had six tackles and two sacks. Sone Aupiu of New Mexico State, a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker, had six tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Tory Gethers of New Mexico State, a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker, had nine tackles and one quarterback hurry. Nick Session of New Mexico State, a 6-0, 190-pound safety, had 13 tackles. Jaylen Stokes of New Mexico State, a 5-10, 175-pound wide receiver, had one reception for minus-2 yards. Brodie Malone-Bradford of New Mexico State, a 6-5, 205-pound wide receiver, had one reception for 8 yards. Josiah Thomas of New Mexico State, a 6-2, 200-pound tight end, had one reception for 11 yards. Lyndon Ravare of New Mexico State, a 6-0, 165-pound wide receiver, had one reception for 12 yards. AJ Williams III of New Mexico State had one reception for 32 yards. Terrione Graves of New Mexico State, a 5-10, 170-pound wide receiver, had two receptions for 39 yards. Dijon Stanley of New Mexico State, a 6-0, 175-pound running back, had one run for 3 yards and one tackle. TJ Washington Jr. of New Mexico State, a 5-11, 205-pound running back, had seven runs for 24 yards and one reception for 4 yards. James Jones of New Mexico State, a 6-2, 205-pound running back, had 15 runs for 89 yards and three receptions for 19 yards.

Florida International’s team had one punt for 41 yards. Felix Visser punted three times for 121 yards. Jason Gwan of New Mexico State, a 6-2, 260-pound defender, made one tackle. Brody Richter of New Mexico State punted five times for 181 yards. TK King of New Mexico State, a 5-9, 180-pound wide receiver, returned three kickoffs for 48 yards and one punt for 2 yards. Jordan-Lebron Downey, Kyah Francone, Enzo-Pierre Tayou, Brad Vislisel, Izzy Clark-White, Zhakius Thomas, Luke Moise and Javon Gillespie each had one tackle for New Mexico State. Carson Su’esu’e of New Mexico State, a 6-5, 240-pound tight end, returned a kick 10 yards and made a tackle. Robert Czeremcha of Florida International, a 6-3, 220-pound kicker, handled the kicking duties. DJ Cloyd and De’Marcus Peters each had two tackles for New Mexico State. Zaiden Davis, Chance Barron and Kaian Roberts-Day each had three tackles. Fa’apaia Fualema had four tackles. Maguire Anderson of Florida International, a 6-0, 180-pound wide receiver, had one reception for 19 yards and one punt return for 1 yard. Josiah Taylor of Florida International, a 6-0, 218-pound linebacker, had three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Brayshawn Littlejohn of Florida International, a 6-0, 213-pound linebacker, had three tackles. Pickle Stewart had four tackles. Percy Courtney Jr. of Florida International, a 5-10, 190-pound linebacker, had five tackles. DeAndre Boykins of Florida International, a 5-11, 197-pound defensive back, had six tackles. Germaine Carter of Florida International, a 5-11, 275-pound defender, was listed. Eric Nelson Jr. of Florida International, a 6-4, 170-pound wide receiver, had one reception for 3 yards and one tackle. Jackson Verdugo of Florida International, a 6-4, 245-pound tight end, had one reception for 4 yards. Kyle McNeal of Florida International had two receptions for 15 yards. Ormond Wallace of Florida International, a 6-0, 210-pound defensive back, had three tackles.

Florida International’s defense set the tone early and never let New Mexico State settle into a rhythm. The Golden Panthers forced the Aggies to rely on short passes and field goals. New Mexico State’s best drive ended with Francone’s field goal. The Aggies moved into Florida International territory several times but could not reach the end zone. Florida International’s front seven pressured the quarterback and limited the run game. The Golden Panthers’ special teams also flipped field position, with Visser’s punting and Czeremcha’s accurate kicking. Czeremcha’s five field goals matched the Golden Panthers’ need to protect a lead. The Aggies’ defense kept the game within reach for three quarters, but the offense could not capitalize. New Mexico State’s Nick Session made 13 tackles, while Tory Gethers added nine. Gabe Peterson and Sone Aupiu combined for three sacks. The Aggies’ defense recorded several tackles for loss, but Florida International’s defense was equally disruptive. The Golden Panthers held New Mexico State to 3 points, the Aggies’ lowest output of the season.

New Mexico State entered the game after beating Western Kentucky 34-13 and Mercyhurst 51-14, with losses to New Mexico 42-18, Hawaii 29-19 and Florida State 34-17. Florida International had beaten Long Island University 20-3 and Buffalo 33-20, while falling to Florida Atlantic 16-10 and South Florida 19-9. The Aggies’ record moved to 2-4, and the Golden Panthers improved to 3-2.

New Mexico State next plays at Sam Houston, then hosts Jacksonville State and Liberty before road games at Missouri State and Middle Tennessee and a home date with Delaware. Florida International next visits Jacksonville State, then hosts Middle Tennessee, visits Liberty, hosts Missouri State, visits Delaware and Kennesaw State and hosts Sam Houston. New Mexico State’s upcoming schedule includes trips to Sam Houston, Missouri State and Middle Tennessee, along with home games against Jacksonville State, Liberty and Delaware. Florida International’s upcoming schedule includes a trip to Jacksonville State, home games against Middle Tennessee, Missouri State and Sam Houston, and road games at Liberty, Delaware and Kennesaw State.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida International 46, New Mexico State 26. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Florida International with an 82 percent probability to win. New Mexico State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +6.5. The total score of 25 went over the over/under line of 45.5.