Football: New Mexico State overcomes 23-point deficit to beat Idaho in OT

It was a game that got away from the Idaho football team.

New Mexico State overcame a 23-point Vandal lead and won in overtime 55-48 Saturday night in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Sophomore running back Larry Rose III tied the game at 48 with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 51 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Even though the Aggies forced the game into overtime, the Vandals (3-5 overall, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) appeared to be in a good position to hold New Mexico State to zero points on the Aggies’ first offensive drive in overtime.

On 4th and 22 from the Idaho 37, New Mexico State redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Jeanty, who replaced the injured Andrew Allen late in the fourth quarter, delivered a 23-yard strike to senior wide receiver Joshua Bowen for the first down at the Idaho 14.

Rose scored a couple plays later on a 2-yard rushing touchdown to give the Aggies their first lead of the game, 55-48.

The touchdown proved to be the game winner as Idaho sophomore quarterback Matt Linehan threw an interception into the hands of freshman defensive back Terrill Hanks. The pass was deflected by freshman linebacker Javahn Fergurson and Hanks caught the ball between his ankles.

Idaho led 30-7 in the third quarter after Linehan connected with junior wide receiver Callen Hightower for a 24-yard touchdown.

But the Aggies finished the game on a 41-18 scoring run to force overtime.

Both offenses racked up plenty of yards as the Aggies outscored the Vandals 641-569 in total yards.

Linehan finished 25 of 41 for 307 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while senior running back Elijhaa Penny almost equaled last week’s numbers against Louisiana-Monroe.

Penny rushed for 192 yards on 35 carries and had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. Penny carried the ball 36 times for 184 yards and no touchdowns in Idaho’s 27-13 homecoming win against Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday.

The Vandals will play Sun Belt foe South Alabama (3-4, 1-2) at noon next Saturday in Mobile, Alabama.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CabezaGarrett