Preview: UNM vs. NMSU in the Rio Grande Rivalry

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Following back-to-back road games, the Aggies return home to host New Mexico in the 114th playing of the Rio Grande Rivalry. NM State will be seeking its third consecutive win over the Lobos – a streak that would be the longest since 2009-11. The Aggies are also looking to earn back-to-back home wins over New Mexico since 1963 and 1965

After Saturday’s contest, the Aggies will have an off week before returning to Conference USA play against Jax State in a midweek matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

PICK SIX

114 – Saturday marks the 114th installment of the storied Rio Grande Rivalry. An Aggie win would extend their win streak over the Lobos to three games and would tie the longest win streak since 2009-11.

9 – NM State returns to Aggie Memorial Stadium where it has one nine of its last 11 games dating back to Oct. 15, 2022. In their nine wins, the Aggies are outscoring opponents by an average of 21.7 points.

1 – The Aggies are one of only 17 teams in the country to come away with points on 100% of their trips to the red zone. Thus far, the Aggies are a perfect 8-8 with five touchdowns and three field goals

7 – With a win, Tony Sanchez would become the seventh head coach in program history to earn a victory over the Lobos in his first attempt. He would also join Jerry Kill and DeWayne Walker as the only Aggie coaches  to do so since 1968.

89 – Abraham Montaño (#89) is one of only 21 kickers at the FBS level with a perfect field goal percentage. The Fresno State transfer enters Saturday 4-4 on field goal tries while also being 5-5 on PATs.

121 – In 2023, the Aggies finished the year ranked 14th at the FBS level in rushing yards per game. This season, the Aggies offensive line unit brings a combined 121 total starts to the table and will be the Aggies most experienced position group by a wide margin.

TURNING THE TIDE

On Saturday, the Aggies will be seeking their third straight victory over their in-state rivals from Albuquerque. This would mark the Aggies’ first three-game win streak in the Rio Grande Rivalry since winning in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In total, NM State has stacked three or more consecutive wins just five times in the 113-year history

During the Aggies’ current two-game win streak, NM State is outscoring New Mexico by an average of 11 points after earning a 21-9 win in 2022 and a 27-17 win in 2023.

A win this weekend would also mark the first time since 1963 and 1965 that the Aggies would earn back-to-back home wins over the Lobos – a feat that has only happened five time in the history of the rivalry.

SIMILAR SPOT

The Aggies carry a 1-3 record into the meeting with the Lobos. Despite recording two of the most successful seasons in program history during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, the Aggies are familiar with slow starts.

During a 2022 season which was capped off by a win in the Quick Lane bowl to finalize their record at 7-6, the Aggies entered the Rio Grande Rivalry with a 1-5 record. A 21-9 Aggie victory ended a streak of three consecutive losses to the Lobos and ignited a back half of the season in which the Aggies finished 6-1 to earn the program’s first bowl bid since the 2017 campaign.

One year later, the Aggies would travel to Albuquerque with a 1-2 record in hand. NM State would then improve to 2-2 with a 27-17 win at University Stadium. After dropping the following game on the road at Hawaii, the Aggies would fall to 2-3 prior to kicking things in gear to finish the regular season with a 10-3 record.

While Tony Sanchez and staff would not opt to be in a position with one win through four games, it is a space that the Aggies have proven they can bounce back from. In fact, in six of the Aggies’ last seven seasons that resulted in plus-.500 winning percentage, NM State held a losing record through at least five games.

Previous seven winning seasons

Year       Start       Finish

2023      2-3          10-5 (Isleta New Mexico Bowl)

2022      1-5          7-6 (Quick Lane Bowl)

2017      2-4          7-6 (Arizona Bowl)

2002      1-2          7-5

1999      3-4          6-5

1992      2-3          6-5

1978      2-3          6-5

RETURN TO FORM

After missing the Sam Houston game due to injury last Saturday, center Canaan Yarro is expected to return as the leader of the Aggie offensive line against the Lobos. The senior captain from Provo, Utah, is currently tied with AJ Vaipulu and Kordell David for the most starts as an Aggie at 30. Prior to the injury, Yarro had started the Aggies’ previous 29 games.

With Yarro sidelined, the Aggie front line saw four positions change amid the starting lineup as AJ Vaipulu shifted to center which left starting right guard BJ Tolo in the left guard spot. Tolo’s movement then led to starting right tackle Louie Canepa getting the start at right guard while Canepa’s primary position was filled by Cedric Claiborne.

The Aggie adjustments were not limited to just the offensive line as Arkansas transfer Hunter Talley also missed the CUSA matchup due to injury which provided an opportunity for backup tight end Jerry Lydiatt. Lydiatt submitted easily his best collegiate performance as he finished the night with four catches for 22 yards the Aggies’ lone touchdown.

AGGIE MEMORIAL RIVALRIES

For the 102nd time in program history, the Aggies’ schedule will feature games against both UTEP and New Mexico. Despite the extended history, the 2024 season will mark just the sixth time ever, and first time since 2002, that both the Miners and Lobos will make the trip to Aggie Memorial Stadium in the same season. In all, this schedule alignment has only occurred in 2002, 1998, 1988, 1958 and 1956. During these years, the Aggies are 5-5 against their rivals, including holding a combined 4-0 mark in 2002 and 1998.

FIRST-TIME STARTERS

Following the Aggies’ first 10-win season since 1960, NM State has begun year one under Head Coach Tony Sanchez with some new faces in key roles. This year, NM State welcomed 36 transfers during the offseason – a mark that ranks fifth-most at the FBS level and six behind Saturday’s opponent New Mexico. Aside from the Lobos, only Charlotte (44), Colorado (44), and Utah State (38) brought in more offseason transfers than the Aggies.

Additionally, the Aggies returned just eight of their 22 starters on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. And, in total, NM State brings back 28 of its 67 letterwinners from last season.

In total, 17 different Aggies have logged their first collegiate start this season, including 14 in the opener against SEMO. At 17, the Aggies are currently tied with UNM for fourth-most first-time starters this season .

This new outlook is also reflected in the amount of returning production entering the year. After having one of the highest rates of returning production entering the 2023 season (returned 83% of total gained yardage), only 23% (1,268/5,606) of its total all-purpose yardage from 2023 belongs to someone still wearing Crimson and White in 2024.

From a broken-down perspective, the Aggies brought back 0% (0/3,206) of their passing yards, 17.3% (471/2,715) of their receiving yards, 32.5% (755/2,325) of their rushing yards and 7.4% (42/566) of their return yards.

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