Trey Hedden produced five of New Mexico State's ten explosive plays
What actually decided New Mexico State's win over Mercyhurst — beyond the final score.
Trey Hedden scored 12 of New Mexico State's points. New Mexico State (0-1) dismantles Mercyhurst, 51-14 at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Mercyhurst drew level at 7-7 before New Mexico State pulled away for good. Trey Hedden threw for 253 yards on 20 attempts with two touchdowns and lost 7 yards on three carries.
New Mexico State threw on 63% of plays on early downs all season; in this game, 37% (n=49 such plays) — a sharp in-game departure from the norm.
The big plays only went one way
New Mexico State produced 10 plays of 15+ yards to Mercyhurst's 5, chiefly Trey Hedden (involved in 5), Terrell Washington Jr. (involved in 2) and Tyler King (involved in 2). New Mexico State scored on 58% of its drives to Mercyhurst's 23%, led by Trey Hedden (12 pts), James Jones (12 pts) and Terrell Washington Jr. (12 pts). Stacked together, that is what turned a close game into this one.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The difference-makers
Trey Hedden threw for 253 yards on 20 attempts with two touchdowns and lost 7 yards on three carries, including that score from inside the 20 and a hand in five plays of 15 yards or more. James Jones ran 19 times for 137 yards and one score and caught one pass for 2 yards for a touchdown, including that score from inside the 20. Terrell Washington Jr. ran seven times for 43 yards and two scores and caught one pass for 32 yards, with two of them from inside the 20 and two third-down conversions. For Mercyhurst, Alex Gevaudan threw for 147 yards on 21 attempts with one touchdown, including three third-down conversions and a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. Camden Lewis caught five passes for 43 yards, one of them for a touchdown, including three third-down conversions. Byron Cardwell ran seven times for 10 yards and one score, with that score from inside the 20. Sone Aupiu was the disruptive one for New Mexico State: 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 tackles.
What Mercyhurst has to fix
The problems had names: Tyler Tusai (1 interception).
The defensive story
Two names to keep, all for New Mexico State: Sone Aupiu (1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 tackles) and Reeves Baller (1 sack, 1 TFL, 2.5 tackles).
The takeaway
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
New Mexico State did exactly what a better team should against Mercyhurst: leave no doubt. Alex Gevaudan was responsible for 6 of Mercyhurst's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
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