Nick Sessions’ pick-6 on first play of game sparks New Mexico State to 51-14 romp over Mercyhurst

New Mexico State's Nick Sessions started the scoring with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown on the game's opening play. Trey Hedden added to the momentum with two touchdown passes in the same game. Mercyhurst managed to tie the score at 7-all with a Byron Cardwell Jr. 2-yard touchdown run. However, New Mexico State quickly regained the lead with a TJ Washington Jr. 16-yard touchdown run, which led to a 13-7 score.

The Warriors continued to dominate, but Mercyhurst managed to pull ahead with a 14-13 lead when Camden Lewis caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Alex Gevaudan. New Mexico State regained the lead with Ilya Uvaydov's 39-yard field goal, and Jones responded with a 48-yard touchdown run, making the score 23-14 heading into halftime.

In the final quarter, Jones connected with Hedden for a 2-yard scoring toss, and Terrione Graves had a 83-yard touchdown strike from Hedden, giving the Aggies a 44-14 advantage. Backup Adam Damante and AJ Williams III each scored a touchdown, wrapping up the final score at 51-14 for New Mexico State. Hedden finished with 11-of-20 passing for 253 yards, while Damante was 3-for-3 for 65 yards.

Jones rushed 19 times for 137 yards. Gevaudan had 147 yards on 13-of-21 passing. New Mexico State's total offensive yards were 553, compared to Mercyhurst's 237.