LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Diego Pavia threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, Star Thomas added 96 yards rushing and a pair of scores and New Mexico State rolled to a 58-21 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday night in a season opener.
Pavia was 16-of-20 passing including a 75-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Childress and an 80-yarder to Jonathan Brady, each in the third quarter. Brady finished with 102 yards receiving on four catches.
Matt Morrissey was 16-of-30 passing for 215 yards and had two touchdown passes to lead Western Illinois.
The Leathernecks pulled to 20-14 just before halftime on a Ludovick Choquette 21-yard touchdown run. Ethan Albertson’s 37-yard field goal and Pavia’s two long TD passes helped the Aggies pull away in the third.
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
