The Aggies and Lobos kick off at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Aggie Memorial Stadium. NM State enters the game 1-2, while New Mexico arrives at 2-1.
By Levi Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest
Sources: NMSU Athletics, 150th Special Operations Wing (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
Cover Photo By Kale Kaui for NMSU (Courtesy)
New Mexico State returns from its bye week Saturday for the 116th meeting with New Mexico, bringing the Rio Grande Rivalry back to Las Cruces for the Aggies’ final non-conference game of the season.
The Aggies and Lobos kick off at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Aggie Memorial Stadium. NM State enters the game 1-2, while New Mexico arrives at 2-1.
For the Aggies, the rivalry comes after an extra week to digest a 29-19 loss at Hawaii that was considerably closer than the final margin suggests.
NM State fell behind by 16 before fighting back to within 22-19 entering the fourth quarter. The Aggies rushed for 124 yards while holding Hawaii to 67, but a failed fourth-down attempt and a late Hawaii touchdown ended the comeback.
Running back James Jones carried 13 times for 78 yards and a touchdown in Honolulu, while De’Marcus Peters returned a fumble 84 yards for a defensive score.
The latter continued what has become one of NM State’s more remarkable streaks. The Aggies have forced at least one turnover in 19 consecutive games, currently the longest such streak in the country. Peters’ touchdown was also NM State’s second defensive score through three games, following Nick Session’s interception return against Mercyhurst.
An Aggie offense beginning to take shape
Three games into the season, NM State has also developed some identifiable strengths on offense.
The Aggies have converted 52.5% of their third downs, best in Conference USA and 17th nationally. Quarterback Trey Hedden and the passing game are averaging 14.3 yards per completion, ranking 21st nationally.
TK King has been Hedden’s leading target with 14 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns. King is averaging 17.1 yards per reception, while AJ Williams III has eight catches for 135 yards and a 16.9-yard average.
Jones has provided the corresponding threat on the ground.
Through three games, the transfer running back leads NM State with 243 rushing yards on 43 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. His 81 rushing yards per game lead Conference USA.
Jones has gained 215 of those yards over his last two games, including a 137-yard performance against Mercyhurst.
Meanwhile, the Aggie defense has allowed only 137 rushing yards over its last two games — 70 against Mercyhurst and 67 against Hawaii. It is the first time since 2022 that NM State has held consecutive opponents below 75 rushing yards.
Lobos Experience “One-of-a-Kind” Photoshoot
Last week, the New Mexico National Guard welcomed the New Mexico Lobos and the UNM Lobo Football team onto the 150th Special Operations Wing flight line for their all-white uniform reveal, our second collaboration of the season. This allowed for UNM student-athletes and creative staff to get onto the ramp and into our HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, creating a one-of-a-kind photo and video shoot highlighting the Lobos and our Guardsmen. “As the New Mexico National Guard, we represent the whole state, and we are always eager to support the universities that make New Mexico proud,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico. Courtesy 150th Special Operations Wing (via Facebook)
Rivalry experience becoming scarce
Saturday will add another chapter to a series that has been played annually since 1946 with the exception of the pandemic-affected 2020 season.
New Mexico State trails substantially in the historical series, with 35 victories, but recent meetings have been considerably more competitive. The Aggies and Lobos have split the four games played since 2022, and NM State is 4-5 in the rivalry since 2016.
The Aggies’ most recent victory came in Albuquerque in 2023, when Diego Pavia led NM State to a 27-17 win. Their last rivalry victory in Las Cruces came a year earlier.
The changing nature of college football rosters, however, means relatively few of the players taking the field Saturday have extensive experience in the rivalry.
Only six current Aggies — Josiah Charles, Nick Session, Sone Aupiu, Gabe Peterson, Isaiah Rudison and Henry Davis III — have played against New Mexico multiple times. Peterson is the only current Aggie who has appeared in at least three Rio Grande Rivalry games, while Peterson and Aupiu are the only players on the current roster who have been part of an NM State victory over the Lobos.
Head coach Tony Sanchez has a considerably longer history with the matchup. Sanchez played against New Mexico twice during his Aggie career in 1994 and 1995 and has since participated in the rivalry in several coaching roles.
There’s another historical coincidence awaiting Saturday.
The Aggies have played 16 previous games on Sept. 26. The last was also against New Mexico — a 20-17 NM State victory in Albuquerque in 2009.
Saturday’s game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network. Local radio coverage will be available on 99.5 FM KXPZ, with Spanish-language coverage of the home game on 96.7 FM La Equis.
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