By Jacalyn Hagar
New Mexico State University is coming home with the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl trophy after defeating Bowling Green State University, 24-19, at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday.
It was no surprise to anyone when quarterback Diego Pavia was named the Most Valuable Player for the game. The Albuquerque native finished the afternoon with two touchdowns and rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries. He also completed 17 of 29 passes for 167 yards and notched an interception.
New Mexico State’s head coach Jerry Kill praised Pavia tremendously after the game, especially when the lead was at-risk in the second half.
“Diego drives me crazy sometimes, but when it comes down to winning, he finds a way to win, Kill said. “The last couple of runs he made toward the end were flat-out unbelievable.”
This is Kill’s first season in the New Mexico State organization in his 23-year coaching career. Although he’s led various teams to six different bowl games, this is the first one where he has come home with a victory.
“Coach Kill, he’s a winner,” Pavia said. “So for him to have his first one tonight is just crazy. Just because he’s born winning.”
Meanwhile, New Mexico State continues their undefeated bowl game streak in program history (4-0-1). They also ended their season 7-6 after the game.
Despite not being the favorite in the matchup, New Mexico State sought success early, making it difficult for Bowling Green State to find any momentum in the first half.
It also didn’t help Bowling Green State that they lost their starting quarterback early in the game. With 7:40 left in the first quarter, Matt McDonald was nailed by New Mexico State’s safety Dylan Early. Prior to his departure, McDonald was 2 of 4 for 30 yards and had an interception.
When McDonald exited the game early, Bowling Green State coach Scot Loeffler then turned to backup quarterback Camden Orth. Orth finished the game completing 14 of 22 for 191 yards with a touchdown. He also rushed for 16 yards on four carries and had an interception.
“The entire game plan was built around Matt, and I thought Cam did a great job, particularly in the second half, adapting and adjusting,” Loeffler said. “No one knows how hard it is to be the backup quarterback and when you get thrown in the mix like that, we had to adapt and adjust and we did to give him a chance in the second half.”
With McDonald being out early, New Mexico State used that hiccup to get ahead of Bowling Green State quickly. By the end of the first half, New Mexico State was up 14-0.
But, Bowling Green State fought hard in the second half and truly tested New Mexico State. Even though New Mexico State was 24-7 for a majority of the third quarter, Bowling Green State cut the lead thanks to a field goal, a safety off a blocked punt and a touchdown.
However, New Mexico State did not allow these mistakes to take over their lead. Pavia said that they weren’t afraid after the touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“Really, it was just do your job,” he said. “Whenever anything broke down, it was make a play. So when it comes down to those things I want the ball in my hands. I feel we were successful tonight on it.”
Next season, both teams are going through major chances in their organizations. For New Mexico State, they will be joining Conference USA and will be looking to go back-to-back in bowl games for the first time since 1959-60. Meanwhile, for Bowling Green State, they will be forced to replace starters McDonald and defensive end Karl Brooks.
