NM State to play in fourth consecutive nationally televised contest.
By Levi Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest
Source: NMSU Athletics
Based on Reporting by Michael Navarrette
Photo: Courtesy
New Mexico State returns to action Wednesday, October 21, following a bye week, traveling to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston in a nationally televised Conference USA football matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Time at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, with coverage on ESPN2.
The Aggies enter the contest at 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Conference USA play, while the Bearkats are 1-5 and 0-2 in the conference.
NM State is looking to rebound from a 22-3 loss at Florida International, where three turnovers contributed to the Aggies’ lowest-scoring performance of the season.
The break provided 13 days between games after NM State played three contests in a 12-day span.
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Defensive Strengths Offer Opportunity
Despite the team’s overall record, NM State’s defense has produced several notable performances through six games.
The Aggies have recorded 15 sacks, ranking second in Conference USA and 32nd nationally. Defensive end Gabe Peterson leads the team with 4.5 sacks, second among conference defenders.
Peterson recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss against FIU, while safety Nick Session finished with a career-high 13 tackles. Session leads NM State with 50 tackles this season.
The Aggies have also forced at least one turnover in 21 of their last 22 games dating to 2024.
Against Western Kentucky on October 1, NM State limited the Hilltoppers to 46 rushing yards in a 34-13 victory. It marked the third time this season the Aggies held an opponent below 75 rushing yards, a feat the program had not accomplished three times in a season since at least 1994.
Sam Houston enters Wednesday’s game averaging 95 rushing yards per contest, ranking near the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Jones Leads the Ground Game
Running back James Jones has emerged as one of the Aggies’ primary offensive contributors.
Through six games, Jones has rushed for 599 yards on 92 carries, averaging 99.8 yards per game. He leads Conference USA in rushing yards per game and ranks among the national leaders.
Jones rushed for 155 yards against Western Kentucky, earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors. He followed with 89 rushing yards against FIU.
He enters Wednesday’s contest needing 81 additional rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his collegiate career.
NM State’s passing offense has averaged 230.5 yards per game, but will face a Sam Houston defense allowing just 137.8 passing yards per contest, the fourth-lowest figure nationally.
Conference Matchup
Wednesday marks the fourth meeting between NM State and Sam Houston and the Aggies’ second visit to Huntsville.
Both teams have faced Western Kentucky this season, with NM State defeating the Hilltoppers 34-13 and Sam Houston falling 16-3.
The Bearkats have been outscored 51-6 through their first two Conference USA games.
The contest will also mark NM State’s third midweek game of the season and its fifth appearance on national television in 2026.
How to Follow the Game
NM State at Sam Houston
- Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. Mountain Time
- Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
- Television: ESPN2
- Radio: 99.5 FM KXPZ and TuneIn
- Live statistics: NM State Game Statistics
Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod and Kendra Douglas will provide ESPN2 coverage. MJ Newsom and Cory Lucas will handle the radio broadcast.
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