Venue & Game Details
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. MDT
Venue: Sanchez Family Stadium, Las Vegas, New Mexico
Event: La Batalla Bowl / Black Out Night
Broadcast: RMAC Network (video), local radio coverage, live stats via NMHUathletics.com
Weather Forecast
Conditions: Mostly clear skies into the evening
Temperature at Kickoff: ~78°F (26°C)
Wind: 5–8 mph from the southwest
Impact: Comfortable early-fall football weather; light winds mean minimal impact on the passing and kicking games.
Injury & Availability Report
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys
Questionable: RB1 (hamstring tightness) — led team in rushing in 2024
Questionable: Starting CB (ankle sprain)
Out: None reported
Notable: QB Amier Boyd healthy after 3 total TDs in Week 1 win over Eastern New Mexico
Western New Mexico Mustangs
Questionable: WR2 (shoulder soreness)
Out: None reported
Notable: QB Devin Larsen returns after throwing for 2,800+ yards in 2024; WR Devante Kincade is the top returning target
Recent Form & Trends
NMHU: Opened 2025 with a road win over Eastern New Mexico, rallying from a halftime deficit. Offense was balanced, defense forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter.
WNMU: Dropped their opener to a ranked Texas A&M–Kingsville squad, struggling to stop the run but showing flashes in the passing game.
Series History
All-Time Series: Western New Mexico leads 41–37–3
Recent Trend: NMHU has won 3 of the last 4 meetings, including a 27–23 win in 2024 in Silver City.
Rivalry Note: La Batalla Bowl is one of the oldest small-college rivalries in the Southwest, dating back to 1930.
Key Player Matchups
QB Amier Boyd (NMHU) vs. WNMU Secondary – Boyd’s dual-threat ability will test a Mustangs defense that allowed over 250 passing yards in Week 1.
QB Devin Larsen (WNMU) vs. NMHU Pass Rush – Larsen must get the ball out quickly against a Cowboys front that recorded 4 sacks last week.
Special Teams Edge – NMHU’s kicker hit a 47-yarder in Week 1; WNMU’s return game could be a hidden weapon if they can flip field position.
Betting Trends
NMHU is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 home games.
WNMU is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 road games.
The Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Game Odds
Western New Mexico Mustangs 51.5
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
