The Aggies' offense had their moments, but it was their defense that mostly ruled the day in their 2nd scrimmage of 2025.
On the first drive of New Mexico State's second scrimmage of its fall camp, starting quarterback Logan Fife threw the ball away to bring up fourth down.
That play foreshadowed a theme that would dominate the warm evening at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies' defense ruled the night on Aug. 8, forcing their offensive teammates into numerous three-and-outs, turnovers and stalled drives. The offense had some moments during the two-hour scrimmage, but the defense largely reigned supreme.
After NM State's offense was forced into two three-and-outs, safety Armahn Hale intercepted a short Fife pass on the Montana transfer's right side of the field and nearly returned it for a touchdown before being tripped up inside the 5-yard line. It was the first of two interceptions for Hale and the first of three for Fife, and both were notable examples of the stark contrast between the Aggies' offense and defense.
Cornerback Dakerric Hobbs earned the other interception after taking advantage of a Fife pass thrown into traffic on the left side of the field.
NM State's defense also held its own during two goal-line drives. It kept the offense out of the end zone on the first drive and nearly did it again until quarterback Parker Awad smartly pulled the ball from running back Kadarius Calloway on a read option before scoring a third-and-goal, one-yard touchdown untouched.
After a break to practice kickoffs and punts, Fife led a touchdown drive that the Aggies' offense needed. It started at around the 45-yard line in plus territory, and Fife got to around the 20-yard line after finding tight end Gavin Harris on a deep pass up the left sideline after a fake screen. A screen pass to wide receiver AJ Williams put the offense inside the 10-yard line before fellow receiver TK King scored a six-yard touchdown after running an out route into the end zone.
The next two drives ended in three-and-outs, but the offense scored field goals on four of its next five drives. Kicker Ryan Hawk nailed two of them from 49 and 41 yards, respectively, while fellow kickers Kyah Francone and David Barker converted field goals from 45 and 41 yards, respectively.
The Aggies' offense was gaining momentum, but it was abruptly stopped to end the scrimmage when safety Naeten Mitchell forced a fumble that the defense recovered. Mitchell sprinted to the end zone in celebration, with his multiple celebratory jumps and shoulder bumps with teammates provided a fitting final image for the night.
Other scrimmage highlights
Friday's scrimmage had multiple changes from NM State's first one on Aug. 3. The Aggies brought an officiating crew that included multiple high school referees, and their offense went on drives like they would in a game, although some drives, such as the two goal-line drives, still included set scenarios for the offense.
Defensive linemen Raylon Carter and Obinna Okeke earned full "camp sacks" — plays that would've been sacks if defenders were allowed to hit quarterbacks — with Carter's coming during the scrimmage's first half and Okeke's coming during the second half. The defense also earned another camp sack when multiple defenders converged on quarterback Adam Damante during a drive.
King made what appeared to be a first-down grab during the offense's fifth drive, which would've ended its streak of three-and-outs to start the scrimmage. However, the whistle blew right before Fife threw his pass, and it resulted in a fourth down.
The two drives before the last one saw highlight moments offensively. Wide receiver TJ Pride caught a pass in space for a first down before turning upfield and eluding multiple defenders for a gain of about 25-30 yards, earning a big play on the drive that would eventually lead to Hawk's 41-yard field goal.
On the succeeding drive, wide receiver PJ Johnson III caught a jump ball from Awad with a defender to either side of him. Awad's throw was a Hail Mary-like prayer under pressure at around the offense's own 30-yard line, and it was caught by Johnson III in the red zone and taken inside the 10-yard line before being tackled.
The Aggies' final closed scrimmage is on Aug. 16 at Aggie Memorial Stadium, which will close out their fall camp ahead of the Aug. 30 opener against Bryant.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: NMSU football: Defense wins the day in Aggies' 2nd scrimmage
Category: General Sports
