New Mexico State Aggies vs Texas A&M Aggies Match Player Stats On Oct 29, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 29, 2016

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- No. 9 Texas A&M rebounded from its lone loss by dismantling New Mexico State 52-10 on Saturday night at Kyle Field.

In a clash of Aggies, Texas A&M (7-1) was never threatened in a late-season nonconference game that served as a break from its grueling SEC schedule.

The win followed last week's loss to top-ranked Alabama. Now the ranked Aggies turn their attention to a four-game finishing stretch that begins next week at Mississippi State.

By running the table, Texas A&M would finish 11-1 and could be in contention for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff.

Texas A&M should get help in the polls, as well as the first playoff rankings Tuesday, after previously undefeated teams No. 7 Nebraska, No. 8 Baylor and No. 10 West Virginia were beaten Saturday.

Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns in an abbreviated outing due to the rout. Sophomore receiver Christian Kirk scored three times, twice on punt returns.

Texas A&M was without three defensive starters, including All-American defensive end Miles Garrett. The junior is considered a potential top overall pick in next year's NFL Draft.

Texas A&M, up 24-3 at halftime, scored two touchdowns in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter to blow the game open.

Knight connected with Josh Reynolds on a 41-yard score on the first possession coming out of the break. Kirk took a punt back 73 yards for the fourth return touchdown of his career to set a school record. The two punt returns in the same game are also a program record.

New Mexico State quarterback Tyler Rogers completed 19 of 34 passes for 138 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jaleel Scott in the fourth quarter. Running back Larry Rose rushed for 89 yards.

New Mexico State (2-6) returns to Sun Belt play in two weeks at Arkansas State.

Texas A&M scored the first two times it touched the ball to take a 14-0 lead, including Kirk's 70-yard punt return for touchdown.

Freshman running back Trayveon Williams had the game's first score on 12-yard burst 3:18 into the game.

Kirk scored again late in the second quarter on a 3-yard pass from Knight for a 24-0 advantage.

New Mexico State followed up with its best drive of the half (11 plays, 59 yards) to get points on the board on Parker Davidson's 33-yard field goal.

NOTES: Texas A&M starters DE Myles Garrett, FS Armani Watts and CB Priest Willis didn't suit up. Garrett is nursing a left ankle injury and was in a boot on the sideline. ... Texas A&M and New Mexico State met for the first time. ... New Mexico State hadn't faced a top-10 opponent since 2010, when No. 3 Boise State visited Las Cruces. ... Texas A&M came in with a 21-game nonconference home winning streak. The last loss was 41-23 to Miami on Sept. 20, 2008. ... Texas A&M has one non-league game remaining, No. 19 at home against UTSA.