LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -- Andrew McDonald threw for two touchdowns as New Mexico State avoided the FBS independent cellar by beating Idaho 24-16 on Saturday.
Idaho and New Mexico State -- both trying to avoid the cellar position of independent schools -- held nothing back in the first half, trading passing TDs and field goals as Idaho (1-11) took a 13-10 lead into the break.
McDonald tossed a 7-yard TD to Austin Franklin, and Adam Shapiro ran for another Aggie TD in the fourth quarter, giving New Mexico State (2-10) an advantage Idaho could not overcome. In fact, the Vandals scored only three points in the second half. Idaho launched a final drive with two minutes left that ended with three incomplete passes inside the New Mexico red zone.
Idaho outgained the Aggies 459 to 371 yards, but New Mexico State had only one penalty while Idaho accumulated eight for 95 yards.
