Bates TD is what coaches have been waiting for

Coach Gene Chizik said he has been waiting for the defense to capitalize on big-play opportunities like the 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Daren Bates against New Mexico State.

“I’m just glad he scored,” Chizik said. “We are just looking for some things happening. We are hoping to take some of those momentum swings and build on them for next week. We are going to have momentum swings on both sides of the ball that are going to be instrumental in staying in the game and winning the game.”

Demetruce McNeal poked the ball away from Aggies quarterback Andrew Manley and Bates was there to recover. Bates spun off one tackler, broke another tackle and gave running back Germi Morrison a gruesome stiff arm that knocked him to the ground. After that Bates jogged into the goal line and dove in for the score.

“Demetruce McNeal made a great play on the quarterback and forced the ball out and I was able to let my ability take over and get into the end zone,” Bates said. “It was going back to my high school days of running the ball at running back and trying to make a play.”