James Jones runs for 178 yards as New Mexico State beats Sam Houston 30-24

James Jones rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown, and New Mexico State beat Sam Houston 30-24 on Wednesday night at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.

Jones carried 27 times. Adam Damante completed 19 of 29 passes for 160 yards with two touchdowns, both to AJ Williams III, and one interception. The Associated Press noted Sam Houston came in allowing 137.8 passing yards per game, fourth-fewest in the country.

Sam Houston scored first when Terrence Guillory II blocked a punt and the Bearkats recovered it in the end zone 2:20 into the game. New Mexico State answered with two quick second-quarter touchdowns, a 1-yard run by Jones and a 27-yard pass from Damante to Williams with 24 seconds left in the half, for a 14-10 lead at the break. Sam Carpenter's 38-yard field goal had accounted for the other Sam Houston points.

Landyn Locke hit Tim Burns Jr. for an 81-yard touchdown on the first play of the third quarter to put the Bearkats back in front. The Aggies then scored the next 16 points. Damante found Williams from 5 yards out, Kyah Francone kicked a 25-yard field goal, and TJ Washington Jr. ran for a 7-yard score with 33 seconds left in the quarter for a 30-17 lead.

Damante was intercepted midway through the fourth, and Sam Houston used the short field to score on MJ Dowdy's 1-yard run with 4:00 left. New Mexico State then went 44 yards in six plays to run out the clock.

Locke threw for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

New Mexico State improved to 3-4 and 2-1 in Conference USA. Sam Houston fell to 1-6 and 0-3.

Up next: Sam Houston plays at Missouri State on Tuesday, and New Mexico State hosts Jacksonville State on Oct. 28.