Pavia, Tiavaasue lead New Mexico State to fifth straight win, beating Middle Tennessee 13-7

Published Nov. 4, 2023 10:58 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Diego Pavia threw for 220 yards, Ron Tiavaasue scored New Mexico's only touchdown and the Aggies beat Middle Tennessee 13-7 on Saturday night.

Tiavaasue's 1-yard score capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive early in the second quarter. Ethan Albertson kicked a 26-yard field goal to end the half with the Aggies up 10-7, and his 38-yarder capped the scoring with 51 seconds left in the third quarter.

Nicholas Vattiato drove the Blue Raiders 75 yards to the New Mexico 15-yard line, but the drive stalled with an incomplete pass on fourth-and-9 to end the game.

Monte Watkins and Pavia combined for 135 yards rushing on 20 carries for New Mexico State (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA), which won its fifth straight game.

Vattiato was 20-of-36 passing for 178 yards with a touchdown pass and interception, and he also had 96 of the Blue Raiders' 168 yards rushing. Elijah Metcalf caught five passes for 69 yards for Middle Tennessee (2-7, 1-4 Conference USA)

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football