Jones grabs 11-yard score in OT to give Middle Tennessee 31-24 win over New Mexico State
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — AJ Jones caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Roman Gagliano in the first overtime to send Middle Tennesee over New Mexico State 31-24 in the final game of the season for both teams on Saturday.
Jones also caught a 24-yarder just before the end of the first half to put the Blue Raiders (3-9, 2-6 Conference USA) ahead at the break. Gagliano threw a touchdown pass to Landon Collins in the fourth quarter, and finished 24-of-42 passing for 260 yards.
Collins paced Middle Tennessee with 81 yards receiving on five catches. DJ Taylor had 77 rushing yards on four touches, scoring a 64-yard TD in the first quarter.
Adam Damante had 311 yards passing and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions for the Aggies (5-7, 2-6). TK King racked up 178 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 10 catches. Ryan Hawk's 35-yard field goal with 58 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime.
Penalty woes derailed New Mexico State's overtime possession, with two false starts forcing a first-and-15 and second-and-20. Third-string quarterback Parker Awad came into the game for the overtime frame after an injury to Damante.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Watch live: No. 14 Oklahoma heads to Lawrence to face Kansas (FS1)
2026 All-NFL Scouting Combine Team: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Wows
FOX Super 6 Contest: Geoff Schwartz's NFL Combine Picks, Predictions
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Bold, Way-Too-Early College Football Predictions
2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects After the Scouting Combine
2026 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt's Top 10 Offensive Prospects
Who are the Highest-Paid Coaches in College Football? SEC Coaches Lead the Way
Top Teams to Build a Dynasty With in EA Sports College Football 26
4 Takeaways From Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
Watch live: No. 14 Oklahoma heads to Lawrence to face Kansas (FS1)
2026 All-NFL Scouting Combine Team: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Wows
FOX Super 6 Contest: Geoff Schwartz's NFL Combine Picks, Predictions
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Bold, Way-Too-Early College Football Predictions
2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects After the Scouting Combine
2026 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt's Top 10 Offensive Prospects
Who are the Highest-Paid Coaches in College Football? SEC Coaches Lead the Way
Top Teams to Build a Dynasty With in EA Sports College Football 26
4 Takeaways From Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
