Ballage Scores Twice in Home Opener Win Over New Mexico State Aggies

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

TEMPE, AZ (August 31, 2017) - The Arizona State University Sun Devils had just enough air left in their sails to pull out a victory over the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday evening, August 31, at Sun Devil Stadium, winning by a score of 37-31.

Fans experience new screen and other renovations.

This was the first time these teams have met since 1999. In that game on September 18, 1999, the Aggies won 35-7. The Devils lead the series against the Aggies 22-7-1.

The Aggies, currently playing in the Sun Belt Conference, stepped on the field Thursday evening looking like an underdog against the Pac-12 South Devils who boasts an Opening Day home record of 77-27-2.

Within the first few minutes of the game, it appeared it could become a blow out.  In the first quarter, Kalen Ballage scored the first touchdown of the season on a seven yard run off the right tackle. Freshman kicker Brandon Ruiz made the extra point.

On the Devils' next possession, Manny Wilkins hits TE Jalen Harvey down the middle for a 53 yd TD pass. Ruiz makes the extra point, making the score 14-0 with over 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

At that point, the Aggies buckled down and began to hold back the onslaught. In the second quarter, the Aggies' QB Tyler Rogers found Jaleel Scott for a 15 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked. Rogers finished the night 40-57-2 for 398 yards, and three TDs.

Just before the end of the first half, Tyler Rogers scored on a 1 yard run, silencing Sun Devil Stadium and making the score 14-13.

In the third quarter, the Devils got to experience the strength of their new kicker's leg when he cleared the uprights on a 52 yard field goal. The scor
e didn't stay still for long. Within a minute, the Devils got the ball back and Wilkins connected with John Humphrey on a 60 yard TD reception.

Going into the fourth quarter, it appeared the Devils would walk away with the scoring when Ballage scored his second TD of the game on a 20 yard run, followed by the defense getting their first score of the season when Kobe Williams intercepted Rogers and ran it back 50 yards for a pick six. The score was now 37-13.

Kalen Ballage scores 2 TDs

That would not discourage the Aggies who were putting up better numbers on both sides of the ball minus the two turn-overs.

With less than 9 minutes left, the Aggies' HB Jason Huntley shoots up the middle faster than a speeding bullet for a 50 yard touchdown run.

With just over 5 minutes left, Rogers hits Huntley for a 23 yard TD pass, making the score 37-25.

At this point, it appeared the Devils could barely keep up and seemed out of breath, not producing much giving the ball back to the Aggies who scored on the final play of the game on a jump ball TD for 29 yards from Rogers to Scott - his second of the game. The score - 37-31.

The Aggies will be at New Mexico for their next game on September 9. Game time is 6 p.m.

The Devils host San Diego State on September 9 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Game time is 8 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Pac-12 Network.