LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Right tackle Sebastian Anderson recovered a Larry Rose III fumble in the end zone, helping New Mexico State to a 37-31 double overtime victory over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in a Sun Belt Conference game Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
Stevie Artigue connected on a game-tying 47-yard field goal with 2:58 remaining in regulation for Louisiana (2-3, 1-1 SBC) before the game went to overtime at 24-24 when Parker Davidson missed a 20-yarder at the buzzer.
NM State (2-3, 1-1 SBC) took a 31-24 lead on its first possession in overtime as Tyler Rogers hit Gregory Hogan with a 23-yard TD pass before Louisiana answered when Darius Hoggins recovered his own fumble in the end zone after a 10-yard run.
The Ragin’ Cajuns took the first possession in the second overtime and moved to within the NM State 6 before Artigue’s 22-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright.
NM State took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 19-yard pass from Rogers to Clayton Granch before Louisiana answered on its following drive when Keenan Barnes caught a 5-yard pass rom Anthony Jennings.
Artigue gave the Cajuns a 10-7 lead with a 23-yard field goal before Rose gave NM State a 14-10 lead with a 6-yard scoring run.
Hoggins led Louisiana with 81 yards on the ground with Al Riles catching eight passes for 110 yards. Jennings was 12-for-23 for 143 yards and a touchdown for Louisiana while Jalen Nixon was 8-for-13 for 84 yards while rushing for 58 yards on 12 carries.
Louisiana will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 12, when it plays host to Appalachian State in a nationally-televised game at 7 p.m.
