NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES NOTES:
PICK SIX
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For the second time in program history, NM State has tallied double digit wins, joining the 1960 team who finished the season 11-0 as the only other Aggie team to accomplish this feat.
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Saturday’s participation in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl will be the Aggies’ sixth bowl game in program history and second under Head Coach Jerry Kill.
87
With just 87 rushing yards against the Bulldogs, Diego Pavia would become the Aggies’ all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback.
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Entering Saturday, the Aggies hold an all-time record of 4-0-1 in bowl games – making NM State the only program at the FBS level with at least one bowl appearance and no losses.
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With their second game in University Stadium coming on Saturday, this will mark the third stadium this season in which the Aggies play multiple games in (Aggie Memorial, Williams Stadium).
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The Aggies rank third in red zone defense – limiting opposing offenses to zero points in 16 of their 56 red zone trips.
BOWL BOUND
For the second consecutive season, the Aggies have earned the right to go bowling. After doing so by way of a sixth win in the final game of the season in 2022, the 2023 version of the Aggies clinched a postseason berth after winning seven of their first 10 games of the season. This marks the Aggies’ sixth appearance in a bowl game and third since 2017.
BOWL HISTORY
NM State will participate in its sixth bowl game in the history of the program and will enter the bout versus the Bulldogs as the only FBS institution to have played in at least one bowl game and have no losses to its name – posting a 4-0-1 record in its first five contests. Saturday will also represent the Aggies third bowl game appearance since 2017 and second under Head Coach Jerry Kill who is in just his second season with the program. This is also the first time that the Aggies will appear in a bowl game in back-to-back seasons since the 1959 and 1960 seasons. Despite the NM State campus being about 200 miles away from the home of the New Mexico Bowl, this will be the first time that the Aggies will play in the now 18-year old bowl. This will also be the fifth time that a team from New Mexico will compete in the New Mexico Bowl as UNM has participated in their hometown’s bowl game four times. Meanwhile, this will be Fresno State’s fourth time competing in the New Mexico Bowl with their most recent time being 2021.
BACK FOR MORE
After earning a bowl bid in 2022, the entire NM State coaching staff returned for the 2023 campaign and will be coaching in their second bowl game with the program. Similarly, the Aggies have 22 players on this season’s roster that appeared in the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl for NM State, including 11 student athletes that started on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.
AFTERNOON AGGIES
Saturday’s game versus Fresno State is scheduled to kick off at approximately 3:50 p.m. MT. The afternoon start time often poses challenges for programs, however, the Aggies have thrived in earlier games this season. Entering the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, the Aggies are 4-0 in “afternoon” games – earning wins over Middle Tennessee (4 p.m. MT kick) Western Kentucky (2:30 p.m. CT kick), Auburn (3 p.m. CT kick) and Jax State (2 p.m. MT kick).
FAMILIAR FACES
This Saturday, the Aggies will look to turn the tide in terms of their series history versus the Bulldogs as NM State has only defeated Fresno State once in 19 all-time meetings between the two programs. The two sides first met in 1972 and have since resided in the same conference on two different occasions as they were both members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West (1984-91) before both represented the Western Athletic Conference (2005-11). Despite the Isleta New Mexico Bowl being the 20th meeting between the Aggies and Bulldogs, the two squads have only met once since the Aggies earned their lone win in 2011 – doing so in 2019 in Las Cruces. The December meeting will also serve as a preview for a previously-scheduled matchup set to take place on Oct. 5, 2024.
MONSTERS OF THE MESILLA VALLEY
In the first three games of the season, Aggie opponents averaged 31.7 points per game. Since then, Nate Dreiling and Melvin Rice have the NM State defense clicking as the last 11 opposing offenses are averaging 19.1 points per game. This includes performances against UTEP and Middle Tennessee in which they held the opposition to just seven points apiece. This also includes a nationally-resounding showing against Auburn in which the Tigers scored only 10 points. This makes the Aggies’ defense one of just three defenses to hold Auburn to 10 or fewer points across the last two seasons – joining Texas A&M and Georgia. Against Middle Tennessee, this stout defense proved to be essential to collecting the Aggies’ seventh win of the season as NM State earned its first win while scoring 13 or fewer points since Sept. 13, 1980 when it knocked off UTEP 6-3. Even with the less-than-ideal start, the Aggie defense finished the regular season allowing just 19.7 points per game to rank first in the conference and finish the season as one of just 23 FBS teams to hold opponents to fewer than 20 points per game.
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try again. Touting an 0-27 mark against SEC opponents heading into their game against Auburn, the Aggies waltzed into famed Jordan-Hare Stadium and came away with a 31-10 victory. This became the first time NM State knocked off a Power Five opponent since a 2012 road win over Minnesota. In that matchup with the Golden Gophers, the head coach on the opposing sideline was none other than current Aggie Head Coach Jerry Kill amid his second season at the helm of the Minnesota program. With the win, the Aggies also become the only current Conference USA member with a win over an SEC program as LA Tech’s 13-13 tie versus Auburn in 1948 was previously the best result for a current CUSA affiliate against an SEC team.
UNDERDOG MENTALITY
The Aggies have held an us-against-the-world mentality all season long and the bout versus Auburn was no different as they overcame the odds which labeled them as 25.5-point underdogs entering the game against Auburn. Despite the doubt, NM State was able to come away with a 21-point victory. This is not the first time the Aggies’ have won while being heavy underdogs under Head Coach Jerry Kill.Last season, the Aggies went into Williams Stadium as 24-point underdogs against now-CUSA foe Liberty and, using a 6-touchdown performance from Diego Pavia, took home a 49-14 win back to Las Cruces. Interestingly enough, current Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze was also at the helm of the heavily-favored Flames in 2022.
CONTROLLING THE PACE
Running the ball and controlling time of possession has been a staple of the Aggie offense during the 2023 season and this has led to having one of the slowest offenses at the FBS level. Using games versus FBS opponents only, NM State is currently snapping the ball an average of every 30.4 seconds to rank 129th out of 133 teams. This has been a heavy emphasis during the Aggies’ back end of the season as they have led their opponent in time of possession in eight of the last nine matchups, including maintaining possession for a season-high total of 39 minutes and 42 seconds in the regular season finale versus Jax State.
FOURTH AND FEARLESS
No stranger to taking chances, Head Coach Jerry Kill has been methodical with his decisions to keep the offense on the field for fourth down. All season long, the Aggies have thrived on fourth down – converting on 11 of their 16 fourth down attempts to pace CUSA teams in fourth-down conversion percentage at 68.8%. This is also good for 13th in the nation. Including converting one of its two attempts last Saturday versus the Flames, NM State has now converted at least one fourth down in four consecutive games and have done so in five of their last six games.
FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS NOTES:
QUICK LOOK
• Fresno State will be led in the bowl game by acting head coach Tim Skipper. • Skipper assumed the role of acting head coach on Friday, Dec. 1 as head coach Jeff Tedford announced he would be temporarily stepping away for medical reasons. • Skipper, a Fresno State alum himself, played for the Bulldogs from 1997-2000. He is in his second stint on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff, having coached under Pat Hill from 2006-11. • It’s almost like deja vu: In its last trip to the New Mexico Bowl in 2021, Fresno State was under the direction of a head coach who was not their head coach that season. Fresno State was led by interim head coach Lee Marks to the 2021 victory in the bowl game as head coach Kalen DeBoer accepted the head coach position at Washington at the end of the regular season. • Fresno State had 10 players earn All-Mountain West recognitions at the end of the regular season with five being named to the second team and five picking up honorable mention. • Fresno State did not have a first team All-MW pick for the first time since 2016. • Fresno State’s second team All-MW seletions were Levelle Bailey (LB), Devo Bridges (DL), Carlton Johnson (DB), Morice Norris Jr. (DB) and Mose Vavao (OL). • The Bulldogs’ honorable mention picks were Erik Brooks (WR), Mikey Keene (QB), Malik Sherrod (RB), Jacob Spomer (OL) and Tre Watson (TE). • The NCAA passed a waiver so bowl games do not count towards a game played in regards to redshirt seasons. Fresno State has two players who are at the four-game limit for their redshirt but can play in the bowl game without losing the season of eligibility – Daniel Taumalolo (OL) and Isiah Chala (DL). • As of Friday, December 8, Fresno State has had six players enter the transfer portal in Logan Fife (QB), Tanner Blount (LB), Abraham Montano (K), Chrishawn Gordon (DB), Hayden Pulis (OL) and Ray Scott (LB).
ABOUT THE MATCH UP
• Fresno State and New Mexico State will meet for the 20th time in program history on Saturday. • Saturday’s game will be the first neutral site meeting between the teams. • Fresno State is 18-1 against New Mexico State with the lone loss coming in 2011 • The bowl game will serve as a preview to a regular season nonconference matchup already on the schedule for next season as New Mexico State will travel to Fresno for a game on Sept. 14, 2024. • Fresno State has one player on its roster from the state of New Mexico in tight end Tre Watson (Rio Rancho). • Fresno State will play an opponent from Conference USA for the first time since facing UTEP in the 2021 New Mexico Bowl
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Scouting the Aggies
New Mexico State finished the season with a 10-4 overall record and a 7-1 mark in conference play, falling to Liberty 49-35 in the Conference USA championship game. For just the second time in program history, NM State has chalked up a double-digit winning season. New Mexico State has racked up the postseason awards for both players and its head coach. In total, the Aggies garnered 11 All-CUSA awards, including three first team selections. In the midst of a historic season, the Aggies received five offensive awards, four defensive distinctions and two special teams accolades. Head coach Jerry Kill was named the Conference USA Co-Coach of the Year, and also earned AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year honors.
Series History vs. New Mexico State
A series that started by Fresno State winning the first 17 games, the two schools will meet for the second time since New Mexico State claimed their first program win over the Bulldogs on Nov. 12, 2011. It was a 48-45 win for the Aggies in Las Cruces. The long history between the Aggies and Bulldogs dates back to 1972 and have previously shared conference affiliation, most recently both playing against each other as WAC opponents from 2005-11. This will be the first meeting between the teams on neutral ground.
• The Bulldogs have scored 30 or more points in 15 of the 19 games against the Aggies.
Revisiting that one loss
With 1:50 left in the game, New Mexico State quarterback Matt Christian hit Taveon Rogers on a 37-yard touchdown pass to lift NM State past Fresno State, 48-45, on Nov. 12, 2011 at Aggie Memorial Stadium for its first-ever win against Fresno State in its 18th try. The game was a battle between the two offensive units as Fresno State gained 495 yards while the Aggies finished with 500. Bulldog tailback Robbie Rouse gave Fresno State a 51-45 lead with a two-yard touchdown run with 8:05 left in the fourth quarter. The Bulldog defense stopped the Aggies on their ensuing possession, but was unable to pick up a first down to wind the clock down when they got the ball. New Mexico State got the ball back on its own 44-yard line with 3:04 to play. It only took four plays for Christian to get the Aggies into the end zone, as Rogers caught a jump ball on a corner route, broke a tackle and walked in for the winning score.
Last time vs the Aggies
Behind 118 yards on the ground from Jalen Cropper and a two-interception night for Wylan Free, Fresno State walked out of Aggie Memorial Stadium with a 30-17 win over New Mexico State. Cropper led the team in all-purpose yardage with 132 yards from scrimmage (118 rushing, 14 receiving), which included 79 on one touch with an electric touchdown run in the second quarter. Redshirt freshman Emoryie Edwards saw the first game action of his career, and led all receivers with 70 yards on eight receptions. The ‘Dogs piled up 239 yards on the ground on 38 carries. Jorge Reyna finished 20-of-31 passing for 147 yards. Defensively, the Bulldogs (2-2, 0-0 MW) held NMSU (0-5) to 315 total yards and produced three interceptions. Two of those came from Free, who entered the game with one in his career. The sophomore recorded Fresno State’s first defensive score of the season with a 91-yard touchdown return on his first pick of the night. Justin Rice grabbed the team’s third INT along with leading the ‘Dogs with 10 tackles.
Call it a homecoming
Anytime the words “Fresno State” and “New Mexico” are in the same sentence, ears perk up for junior tight end Tre Watson who is the only New Mexico native on the Bulldogs’ roster. Watson, from Rio Rancho, NM, is a graduate of Cleveland HS. Out of high school, he was rated a three-star recuit and was the New Mexico Male Athlete of the Year by MaxPreps. Watson was a football and basketball standout at Cleveland HS.
Hello Old Friend
Fresno State accepted its invitation to play in the 18th annual Isleta New Mexico Bowl and will face New Mexico State (10-4, 7-1 CUSA) in the postseason matchup. Fresno State will participate in its third bowl game in the past three seasons, and its 32nd bowl game in program history. This is Fresno State’s fourth trip to the New Mexico Bowl with its last being a 31-24 defeat of UTEP in 2021. The Bulldogs are no stranger to the New Mexico Bowl, making their fourth trip to the game this weekend. Fresno State appeared in the New Mexico Bowl in 2021, 2009 and 2008. Fresno State is 1-2 in its New Mexico Bowl games, losing its first two before getting the win over UTEP in 2021.
Quick look into history
Fresno State has a 16-15 record in bowl games. The Bulldogs have won the last four bowl games, dating back to a Hawai’i Bowl victory in 2017. Since 2000, Fresno State has an 8-9 record in its bowl games. The Bulldogs are headed to a bowl game for the third-straight season. It’s the first time since the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons that Fresno State will appear in a bowl game in three-straight seasons. Last year, the Bulldogs capped their historic campaign with a dominant 29-6 win over Washington State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. The bowl win was Fresno State’s 10th win of the season, cementing the Bulldogs as the first team in FBS history to begin a season 1-4 and finish with 10 wins. Fresno State has a 16-15 all-time bowl game record. As a collegiate head coach, Jeff Tedford has an 8-3 record in bowl games coached. His .727 bowl game winning percentage is the third-best among all active FBS head coaches with a minimum of 10 bowl games coached. All-time, his mark is sixth among FBS head coaches.
• So how did we get here in 2023? With its win at Utah State (Oct. 13), Fresno State was the first team in the Mountain West to become bowl eligible this season.
