RUSTON, La. — Zac Champion erased a 12-point deficit with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, and Louisiana Tech beat New Mexico State 22-21.

With Tech trailing 21-9, a third-down pass was batted around the end zone before Brian Jackson hauled it in to bring the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2 Western Athletic Conference) within 21-16 with 6:55 left — their first touchdown in more than 13 quarters.

After forcing an Aggie three-and-out, Champion (22-of-35, 215 yards) capped a 6-play, 60-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Phillip Livas. A two-point conversion attempt failed with 1:53 left.

New Mexico State stalled near midfield and the Bulldogs ran out the clock.

The Bulldogs won in spite of a missed field goal, numerous dropped passes, nine penalties and other mistakes.

NMSU scored first, on a 16-yard pass from backup J.J. McDermott (29-for-40, 319 yards and two touchdowns) to Chris Williams, who had 170 yards on 11 catches.

A field goal by Danny Horwedel cut the lead to 7-3 at the half, and another kick by Horwedel made it 7-6 with 5:56 to play in the third.

Williams scoring his second touchdown on an 11-yard pass from McDermott to make it 14-6. After a pass interference call gave New Mexico State a first-and-goal at the 2, Justine Buries' 2-yard run put the Aggies ahead 21-9.

Starter Michael Moseley was 5-of-12 for 54 yards; Tech receivers dropped most of the incompletions. Champion led the Bulldogs on the ground with five carries for 54 yards.