Coming off a big win at home in week one, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane couldn’t replicate that same performance last Saturday, losing on the road at New Mexico State, 21-14, in Las Cruces, N.M.

It was a quiet first half with the only score coming in the first quarter, as the Aggies’ Ryan Hawk kicked a 41-yard field goal.

Late in the second quarter, Tulsa (1-1) replaced starting quarterback Kirk Francis with backup Baylor Hayes, who made his TU debut.

On Tulsa’s first possession of the second half, Hayes capped a seven play, 65-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run and the Golden Hurricane took a 7-3 lead.

The Aggies (2-0) quickly responded as Logan Fife found an open Donovan Faupel for a 24-yard touchdown pass, and New Mexico State led 10-7 with 6:17 left in the third quarter.

New Mexico State extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with another Hawk field goal, this one from 38 yards.

Tulsa put together an eight play, 75-yard drive, and finished it with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Baylor to Brody Foley, putting Tulsa ahead, 14-13, with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies had one more scoring drive late in the fourth quarter, as Fife connected with Gavin Harris on a 15-yard touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion, putting NMS ahead 21-14.

Hayes completed 13-of-16 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown and added 22 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on three carries. The two touchdowns, passing and running, were the first of his career. Francis left the game in the second quarter and was 13-of-23 passing for 100 yards and one interception.

Zion Booker led Tulsa with eight receptions for 51 yards, and Dominic Richardson led the ground game with 93 rushing yards on 20 attempts and added 20 receiving yards on three catches.

Even in the loss, Tulsa outgained New Mexico State in total yardage, 376-291, and for the first time since Sept. 28, 2023, Tulsa’s defense held a team to 50 or fewer rushing yards. The Aggies managed only 39 yards rushing in the game.

Aggies quarterback Fife completed 27-of-44 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

The Golden Hurricane will take on Navy at H.A. Chapman Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Navy comes into this game with a 2-0 record. The Midshipmen have defeated VMI, 52-7, and UAB, 38-24.