Recap: New Mexico St vs. BYU

Las Cruces, NM (Sports Network) - Cody Hoffman caught five of James Lark's six touchdown passes as the BYU Cougars coasted to a 50-14 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies in non-conference action.

After coming in with just 24 passing attempts under his belt on the season, Lark led BYU (7-5) by completing 34-of-50 attempts for 384 yards in his first career start. Hoffman's total of five touchdown receptions tied a school record as he made 12 catches for a career-high 182 yards. J.D. Falslev also had a productive day with nine receptions, which he turned into 68 yards and a touchdown.

Andrew Manley paced NMSU (1-10) by throwing for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-24 passing. Kemonte Bateman made four grabs for 93 yards and a score while Davis Cazares and Bryan Bonilla recorded 10 total stops and one tackle for loss each on the defensive side of the ball.

After a scoreless opening quarter, New Mexico State finished off a 12-play, 78-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Manley to Perris Scoggins to go ahead 7-0.

The Cougars responded with a 73-yard drive which was punctuated by a five-yard touchdown pass from Lark to Hoffman. However, Justin Sorensen missed the ensuing extra point attempt which allowed the Aggies to cling on to a one- point lead.

NMSU's advantage would not last as Lark struck again at the 2:44 mark of the second quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass to Falslev. The Cougars' defensive unit forced the Aggies off the field in less than a minute to return the ball to the offense with 1:47 remaining.

Lark began the drive off with three straight completions before receiving a little help from a defensive pass interference call. BYU continued to charge forward until Lark completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Hoffman to give the Cougars a 20-7 advantage at the intermission.

Sorensen added three to the Cougars' lead less than four minutes into the second half with a 31-yard field goal. The Aggies answered quickly with 67- yard touchdown pass from Manley to Kemonte Bateman, which made it a nine-point game. However, NMSU was held scoreless the rest of the way.

BYU then closed the game out on a 27-0 run, thanks in large part to the dynamic duo of Lark and Hoffman. With 3:52 remaining in the third quarter, Lark completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Hoffman. Lark found Hoffman for a six-yard touchdown pass with 12:35 left to play before the two connected on a 64-yard scoring pass just over three minutes later.

Zed Mendenhall added a one-yard touchdown run to conclude the contest's scoring, with BYU ahead by 36 points.

The Cougars amassed 520 yards of total offense in the rout while NMSU finished with just 187 yards.