COLUMBUS — While Ohio is commonly viewed as a state that bleeds scarlet and grey, at least one small portion of it favors crimson and white, in support of former Waverly quarterback Trevor Walls.

Walls, now a redshirt freshman at New Mexico State graduated from Waverly High School in 2007 after a career in which he threw for nearly 6,300 yards and 67 touchdowns.

"It's been enjoyable to be around friends and family," Walls said. "I probably had around 200 people here from my hometown. It was just fun."

Walls took his first snap in the Buckeye state since the second round of the 2007 OHSAA playoffs when he took the field with 4:43 to play in the third quarter.

Walls received a roaring ovation from a group of fans sitting behind the end zone on the side of the field which Walls entered for his first action of the day.

His first possession under center, with his team already down 31 points, didn't go as planned when his first pass attempt was dropped and he couldn't get a handle on the second snap, resulting in a fumble and Buckeye touchdown.

"It's whatever coach thought was right," Walls said about taking his first snap late in the third quarter. "Things didn't go so hot for me today, but that's just the way it goes."

Walls' only other attempted pass was a shovel pass that got knocked down.

In spite of the loss and limitted snaps, Walls found things to enjoy in the experience.

"It was a great atmosphere, he said. "I've always wanted to play here. I grew up a Buckeyes fan. It's just a dream come true to play in this stadium."

The opportunity to step on the field didn't come as early as many expected when the Aggies started sophomore Jeff Flemming at quarterback. Their numbers were comparable coming into the contest. Both had two touchdown and completion percentages just over 50. Flemming had 160 more yards than Walls through the air, but Walls had thrown less interceptions.

Flemmings legs, however earned him the nod.

"We just knew he could get himself out of trouble," New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker said. "He's more athletic and more mobile. I'm sure you guys have seen their defensive line, they're athletic and mobile, too. So we just felt like Jeff could get himself out of trouble more so than Trevor."

Flemming did run for 31 yards to lead an Aggie attack that totaled just 63 yards and two first downs, but got himself into trouble elsewhere, throwing an interception and losing a fumble of his own.

By the time Walls took the field, it was too late to seriously consider a comeback bid. Though the circumstances weren't ideal for a learning experience, Walls will take what he can from this game back west into WAC play.

"It was a good opponent to play against," he said. "They'll get you ready for your upcoming teams... This will help us get prepared for the rest of the season."