Ethan Albertson drilled a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give New Mexico State a 20-17 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday.

The Gamecocks (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA) rallied from down 17-3 with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but could not hold on at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M. The Aggies (10-3, 7-1) drove from their own 25-yard line to the JSU 25 in just 43 seconds after Jax State tied the game.

“We had plenty of opportunities and the kids played hard,” Jax State coach Rich Rodriguez said. “You’ve got to give them credit, too. They have a good football team and they’ve won a lot of games.”

Jax State now awaits a possible bowl berth, but won’t know for certain until postseason bids are announced on Dec. 3. As an FBS transition team, the Gamecocks would not be able to play in a bowl unless there are not enough 6-win teams to fill all 82 postseason slots.

On Saturday, New Mexico State led 14-0 after one quarter and 17-3 headed into the fourth. JSU’s Alen Karajic kicked a 27-yard field goal — his second of the game — with 14:52 remaining to pull the Gamecocks within 11 and set the stage for the comeback.

Jax State’s Gemeire Latimer intercepted Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia at the NMSU 22, setting up Malik Jackson’s 11-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Zion Webb ran for two points to make it 17-14 with 6:23 to play.

Jax State forced a New Mexico State punt, then drove for Karajic’s 27-yard field goal with 43 seconds left. The Gamecocks appeared to take the lead with a Webb touchdown pass to Jackson, but Webb was called for illegal forward pass because he cross the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball.

Pavia hit Trent Hudson for 37 yards to put the ball inside the JSU 30, then two running plays set it up for Albertson’s game-winner. It was the Aggies’ second straight win over a team from the state of Alabama, after beating Auburn 31-10 last week.

Webb threw for 248 yards for Jax State, but was intercepted twice. Perry Carter caught seven passes for 134 yards, but the Gamecocks were held to just 95 yards rushing as a team.

Pavia threw for 269 yards and ran for 68 for the Aggies, but was intercepted twice. Jayson Jones ran for a 1-yard touchdown and Pavia hit Hudson for an 11-yard score to give the Aggies a 14-0 lead after one quarter.

Karajic’s 33-yard field goal in the second quarter made it 14-3, but Albertson’s 27-yarder as the first half expired gave New Mexico State a 17-3 lead at the break. The Aggies travel to Liberty for the CUSA championship game next Saturday.