The Arkansas State University offense sputtered before it found its rhythm in a 37-21 victory over New Mexico State Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M.
ASU (5-2, 4-0 Sun Belt Conference) trailed 14-7 at halftime before scoring 30 second-half points behind 3 touchdown passes from red-shirt junior quarterback Justice Hansen.
Hansen — who was 25 of 40 for 297 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception — now has 25 touchdown passes this season, which broke the single-season school record previously held by Fredi Knighten (2014) and Ryan Aplin (2012).
“He made a couple big throws late when we needed it,” ASU Coach Blake Anderson said in the team’s post-game radio interview. “He was frustrated early, but I thought he did a good job of staying calm.”
A game that matched two of the nation’s top 25 offenses did not live up to its billing during the first half.
New Mexico State (3-5, 1-3) — which entered the game 25th with 467.3 yards per game — was 0 for 6 on third-down conversions through its first drive of the second quarter, and ASU — which entered the game 21st with 474 yards per game — punted on each of their first three drives.
New Mexico State senior quarterback Tyler Rogers, who entered as the nation’s third leading passer (356.4 yards per game), was 4 of 13 for 20 yards on the Aggies’ first six drives.
The ASU defense sacked Rogers seven times, and senior defensive end Ja’Von Rolland-Jones matched his season-high with 2½ sacks, which put him second on the all-time NCAA career sacks list with 38½.
Terrell Suggs (Arizona State, 2000-2002) is the all-time leader with 44.
ASU scored the first touchdown of the game with 1:25 left in the first quarter, when Hansen found a rhythm after starting the game 2 for 4 for 13 yards.
Hansen rushed up the middle for 12 yards to the Aggies 38, completed passes of 8 and 9 yards to freshman receiver Jonathan Adams, then completed a 21-yard touchdown pass in the back-right corner of the end zone to redshirt sophomore receiver Omar Bayless, who cupped the ball with one arm before landing out of bounds.
The four-play, 50-yard drive was the most successful drive for the Red Wolves’ offense during the first half.
The rest were marred with penalties and a sack fumble, which led to New Mexico State taking its 14-7 halftime lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Bryce Roberts with 24 seconds left in the half.