AUBURN, Ala. – Soak it all in, Aggie Nation. In Jerry Kill's second year with the program, the Aggies have pulled off their first-ever win over a school from the Southeastern Conference.
 
On a day in which many watching around the nation believed the home side would handle business against the Aggies, NM State waltzed into Jordan-Hare Stadium and dominated the Auburn Tigers. Behind a physical charge, NM State (9-3, 5-1 CUSA) defeated Auburn (6-5, 3-4 SEC) 31-10 on a beautiful Saturday night in Auburn, Ala.
 
As a team, NM State outperformed Auburn in nearly every statistical category – topping the Tigers in total yards (414-213), rushing yards (213-65), yards per play (6.4-4.7). The Aggies also went a perfect 4-4 on red zone attempts while Auburn failed to run a single play in the Aggie red zone the entire game.
 
Offensively, Pavia pieced together another impressive performance – finishing the day with 201 passing yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, 11 different NM State receivers caught at least one pass – including Kordell David and Eli Stowers who each caught a team-high four passes while also catching a touchdown apiece.
 
Defensively, Andre Seldon and Gabe Peterson each finished with six tackles to lead the way for NM State. Meanwhile, five different Aggie defenders recorded at least half a sack against the Tigers.
 

FIRST QUARTER
After entering the game as 26-point underdogs, NM State showed no sign of nerves on its opening drive of the game. Following a first-play completion to Thomaz Whitford, Diego Pavia completed his first four passes of the game and eventually found Kordell David in the back right corner of the end zone for the opening drive score.
 
After the Aggie defense forced the Auburn offense to go three-and-out on its first possession of the game, the NM State offense picked up right where it left off on the first drive. Pavia once again captained a lengthy NM State drive which was highlighted by a 28-yard pass from Pavia to Jordin Parker who fought through pass interference to haul in the catch. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and Zach Haynes had to punt the ball back to Auburn.
 
In the quarter, the Aggies outgained the Tigers 126-15 and gained eight first downs while Auburn failed to move the sticks a single time. This was majorly due to lack of opportunity as NM State had the offense on the field for over 12 minutes and allowed Auburn to run just five offensive plays.
 
Scoring plays: Kordell David receiving touchdown (9 yards);
 
End Q1: NM State 7, Auburn 0
 
SECOND QUARTER
Auburn eventually settled into the game in front of its home crowd as it evened the score at seven with a 11-play, 81-yard drive which was capped off with a 32-yard pass from Payton Thorne to Rivaldo Fairweather. The Auburn scoring drive was also assisted by three costly Aggie penalties which moved the Aggies' total to flags drawn with 6:28 remaining on the clock.
 
The next Aggie drive started slowly and the Aggies quickly faced a critical 3^rd-and-eight which it converted thanks to a 20-yard completion to Eli Stowers. NM State went right back to the passing game on the very next play as Pavia found Donovan Faupel who hauled in his third reception of the season to move the sticks once again and move the ball beyond the 50-yard line. After being effective on the drive as a receiver, NM State later put the ball in Stowers' hand as a quarterback where he ran for a combined total of 15 yards on the ensuing two plays. Following yet another penalty, the Aggie drive stalled and the Aggies were forced to let Ethan Albertson attempt a 40-yard field goal. Albertson did what he's done all season and knocked in the try to put the Aggies ahead just before the end of the period.
 
Scoring plays: Rivaldo Fairweather receiving touchdown (32 yards); Ethan Albertson field goal (40 yards)
 
End Q2: NM State 10, Auburn 7
 
THIRD QUARTER
After opening the game with the ball in their hands, the Aggies began the second half on defense and after a seven-play drive, NM State forced the Tigers to punt the ball back to Pavia and the Aggie offense. The Aggie offense quickly got to work as the first play of the drive resulted in a 31-yard rush straight up the gut from Star Thomas – setting the Aggies up at the Auburn 49-yard line. From there, the Aggies kept their foot on the gas as they worked the ball down to the Eagles' seven-yard line. With the ball inside the 10-yard line, the Aggies set themselves back with a 10-yard loss, however, on 3^rd-and-goal from the 17-yard line, Pavia found a wide open Star Thomas streaking up the middle of the field. Thomas would reach the goal line untouched to put NM State ahead by two scores.
 
The Aggie defense continued its stellar play and forced yet another three-and-out to force Auburn to kick the ball back to NM State with 3:40 remaining in the quarter.
 
Scoring plays: Star Thomas receiving touchdown (17 yards)
 
End Q3: NM State 17, Auburn 7
 
FOURTH QUARTER
With the ball back in their hands, the Aggies went on what would be the game-defining drive. Utilizing a 16-play, 83-yard drive that ate up nine minutes and 58 second of the game clock, NM State went ahead by 17 points with less than nine minutes remaining in the game. The first play of the fourth quarter was arguably the biggest play of the game as Jerry Kill elected to use a fake punt in which up man Ron Tiavaasue ran 23 yards on 4^th-and-two to move the sticks.
 
10 plays after the fake punt, the Aggies would face a second fourth down and just when it appeared NM State would be happy to take the points, the Aggies used their final timeout to put their offense back on the field. Diego Pavia and the Aggie offense then proceeded to silence the Auburn faithful as Pavia connected with Eli Stowers for a two-yard touchdown – putting NM State ahead 24-7.
 
In desperation mode, Auburn moved the ball down the field and was able to hit a 48-yard field goal to pull the Aggies back within two scores. With the outcome still not decided, Auburn was in need of an onside kick, however, the Aggie kick return unit was up to the task as they recovered the ball to give NM State the ball at the Auburn 43-yard line.
 
From this point, NM State continued to impose its will on the Auburn defense as Makhilyn Young rushed for 36 yards and the game-sealing touchdown on the Aggies' final drive of the game – putting the game out of reach for the heavily-favored Tigers.

Scoring plays: Eli Stowers receiving touchdown (2 yards); Alex McPherson field goal (48 yards); Makhilyn Young rushing touchdown (2 yards)
 
FINAL: NM State 31, Auburn 10