DETROIT, MI -- Bowling Green (6-7) tallied 19 unanswered fourth quarter points, but the late rally wasn't enough as BGSU fell to New Mexico State (7-6) in Quick Lane Bowl action at Ford Field.
The Aggies outgained Bowling Green 407-294 overall and . . .
It was NMSU's passing game, however, that gave the Aggies an early lead. Pavia hit Star Thomas for a 15-yard TD at 9:39 of the first quarter to open scoring. A two-yard toss to Eric Marsh midway through the second period put New Mesico State up 14-0, and it took that lead to intermission.
Ethan Albertson gave the Aggies a 17-point cushion with his 35-yard field goal at 11:15 of the third quarter, but Bowling Green followed with a 75-yard kickoff return by Ta'ron Keith. Mason Lawler's PAT made it a 17-7 game.
New Mexico State had one more score left and added its final TD when Watkins burst through the middle on a 45-yard scamper at 3:23 of the third period.
Down 24-7, BGSU began to chip away. First, Lawler hit a 49-yard field goal just five seconds into the fourth quarter. After forcing a quick punt that went just 14 yards, the Falcons reached NMSU's 3-yard line before fumbling.
Bowling Green's defense again forced a punt, but Davion Daniels blocked the kick, resulting in a safety that left BGSU down 24-12. New Mexico State had to kick and a good return (33 yards by Jhaylin Embry) put the Falcons in business near midfield. It took them just two plays (and an Aggie penalty) to cover 48 yards, with Camden Orth hitting Tyrone Broden with a 19-yard TD pass at 6:27.
Orth entered the game in the first quarter after starter Matt McDonald was injured. On the day, Orth completed 14-of-22 attempts totaling 191 yards with one TD. Together, the two QBs completed 16-of-26 for 221 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception.
Bowling Green needed another stop, but this time the Aggies would only be stopped by the final whistle. They ran the ball nine times and picked up four first downs along the way the way in a 43-yard drive that consumed all of the remaining time.
NOTES:
~~ Bowling Green registered just one offensive touchdown on the day. Six points came on field goals, two on a safety (off a blocked punt) and seven (with PAT) on a kickoff return.
~~ Jaison Patterson led BGSU rushers with six carries for 23 yards. The Falcons were limited 73 yards rushing on the day.
~~ Keith topped Falcon receivers with three catches totaling 69 yards.
~~ BGSU's Chris Bacon picked off one Aggie pass, returning it 17 yards.
~~ Trent Simms and Darren Anders led Falcon defenders with eight tackles each. Jordan Anderson recorded three of Bowling Green's seven TFL.