New Mexico State hangs around, but falls 34-17 at Florida State
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1964 was the last time Florida State and New Mexico State shared a football field.
New Mexico State has been to three bowl games since the programs’ last meeting. Meanwhile, Florida State has won three national championships since. With a stark contrast in histories, Florida State entered as 30.5-point home favorites over the Aggies in Tallahassee.
But the Aggies fought above those expectations, refusing to bow out in a 34-17 season opener defeat.
New Mexico State had the margin as thin as 10 points with under five minutes remaining, but the defense struggled to produce a stop late. Florida State scored two touchdowns and a field goal on its final three possessions prior to victory formation, allowing the Seminoles to take a 2-0 lead in the all-time series.
The Aggie offense showed promise from the opening drive, maneuvering 51 yards down the field. Upon reaching Florida State territory, New Mexico State quarterback Trey Hedden overthrew a lob to cornerback Quindarrius Jones. The Seminoles cashed in with a field goal on the Aggies’ only turnover of the night.
After an Ashton Daniels rollout scramble to the end zone handed Florida State a 10-0 advantage, New Mexico State strung together its best drive of the night. Hedden completed downfield passes on three-straight 3rd-and-longs to move the sticks. On the final one, he launched a 33-yard heave to the end zone, and wide receiver Brodie Malone-Bradford made a diving catch to make it a 10-7 ballgame.
The momentum briefly shifted afterward, as New Mexico State strong safety picked off Daniels to even the turnover battle at 1-1. However, the Aggie offense couldn’t replicate its 3rd-and-long magic to close the quarter. Still, they nearly entered the half trailing by one-score. But Florida State converted on a critical 3rd and goal opportunity with under 40 seconds left in the second quarter, as Daniels connected with running back Samuel Singleton Jr. for a 4-yard touchdown.
It was an impressive season debut for Singleton, who posted 42 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards, two total touchdowns, and amassed 46 yards on a kick return.
Florida State added separation in the third quarter. New Mexico State opened the half with a 12-play, 68-yard field goal drive, but the Seminoles tacked on a touchdown in response. The game seemingly slipped away in the early fourth quarter when the home team captured its first three-score lead of the night at 27-10. But New Mexico State refused to surrender. On a 3rd and 2 from the Florida State 32-yard line, Hedden beat a heavy blitz with a quick slant to star wide receiver TK King, who sprinted to the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown.
The Seminoles ultimately sealed the victory with 3:59 remaining when running back Ousmane Kromah capped off a 115-yard performance with his lone touchdown.
Hedden, who transferred from FCS program Furman this offseason, fired for 272 yards and two touchdowns in his first start with New Mexico State. He was especially effective on third down, where the Aggies converted 10-of-17 opportunities. The Aggies were able to inflict damage through the air, but their run game — which finished last in the FBS with 77.3 yards per game in 2025 — only accrued 47 yards on 23 attempts.
On defense, New Mexico State effectively prevented explosive touchdowns. All six Florida State scores came in the red zone.
The Aggies hope the positives displayed in Tallahassee translate as they return home next Saturday as they host FCS program Mercyhurst. Meanwhile, the Seminoles remain at Doak Campbell Stadium to host SMU in their ACC opener on Monday night.
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