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More impressive was the performance of the defense which played the kind of game fans have been waiting a long time for. Statistically, the defense was not that great yielding 307 yards to the Aggies, but Tech made the crucial stops when it had to and forced five huge turnovers, two of which set up Tech scores, and two more which thwarted potential New Mexico State scoring drives.
The Jackets wasted no time getting on the scoreboard early. Charlie Rogers returned the Aggies first punt 69 yards to the New Mexico State 2 yard line. Charles Wiley scored on the next possesion to give the Jackets a 7-0 lead, their first lead of the season.
The Jackets second score was set up by a 30-yard pass from Joe Hamilton to David Powell on 3rd and 13. After that the running game took over, as Wiley ran four straight times, the last from one yard out for his second score giving Tech a 14-0 lead.
Then it was the defense's turn to shine, specifically linebacker Delaunte Cameron. After Jesse Tarplin sacked the Aggies quaterback forcing a fumble, Cameron scooped up the loose ball and easily scampered 25 yards into the end zone to put the Jackets up 21-0.
On the Aggies next possesion, Cameron came up with an interception, giving the ball back to Tech at the Aggies 27 yard line. Two plays later, Dez White made an impressive leaping catch in the end zone for a 28-0 Tech lead.
The Aggies threatened to score on the next possesion, driving to the Tech 10 yard line, but were denied when Matt Uremovich picked off an Aggies pass that had been tipped. Tech headed to the locker room with a comfortable edge and the game pretty much over.
New Mexico State finally broke through and got in the end zone with a 63 yard drive early in the third quarter. They were threatening to score again on their next series, but Traveres Tillman interecpted another tipped ball, this time at the Tech 2 yard line.
The clutch stops on defense really impressed O'Leary.
"I thought the way the defense responded to tough situations was good, on those interceptions we were going hard to the ball and were there to make the play."
Tech proceeded to drive 98 yards for a score, and then managed another late score for a 42-7 final.