CS Long Beach Loses, 28-24, on Pass in Final Four Seconds
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Third-string quarterback Charles Puleri threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Atlas Reagor with four seconds to play Saturday, giving New Mexico State a 28-24 victory over Cal State Long Beach.
The Aggies, 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the Big West Conference, also got a 100-yard kickoff return from Fred Montgomery in the second quarter. It is the first time since 1987 that New Mexico State has won more than once in a season.
It was New Mexico State’s first victory over a team other than Cal State Fullerton in the Big West, which the Aggies joined in 1984. The Aggies, who beat Fullerton, 35-12, last week, won consecutive games for the first time since 1983.
Puleri entered the game with 7:05 to play after ineffective performances by senior David Chisum and freshman Cody Ledbetter. He completed nine of 13 passes for 97 yards to rally the Aggies from a 24-13 deficit with two scoring drives capped by two-yard passes to Reagor.
The 49ers (2-8, 2-4) scored on Sean Cheevers’ 22-yard field goal, Charles Varrie’s 55-yard run, Reggie Webb’s one-yard run and Todd Studer’s six-yard pass to Keith Fitzgerald.
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