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San Diego State Football: Getting to know the New Mexico State Aggies
A non-conference look-ahead for the San Diego State Aztecs against the New Mexico State Aggies.
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FBS independent Aggies host the Aztecs in the first leg of a home-and-home.
In their second year of college football independence, New Mexico state encounters a challenging and quirky schedule for the upcoming season. The once members of the Sun Belt, opens the season at Washington, then to Alabama and then home to host San Diego State in Las Cruces. Throw in 2 games with Liberty, yes in the same season, and another projected beating at Ole Miss and you have the future of non-Power Five college football.
2018 New Mexico State Aggies
Record: 3-9
Bowl Game: n/a
Notable victories: UTEP
Notable losses: 22 Utah State, Minnesota, BYU
New Mexico State deals with the unfortunate reality of scheduling paydays with programs like Alabama to support the entire athletic department of a school that enrolls roughly 11,000 students.
New Mexico State Key Players
Jason Huntley, RB.
Huntley scored 13 touchdowns in 2018, 3 kickoff return touchdowns, 7 rushing touchdowns, and 3 receiving touchdowns. When it comes to yardage he rushed for 505, caught 539, and returned 598. This guy is the offense. Despite the bulk of his scoring and yardage coming from losses, his 4 touchdown performance against Alcorn State shines brighter than his 2018 performances.
The big lineman recorded 7 sacks in 2018 and earned 2017 First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference. Wilcots II has consistently performed for the Aggies and gets in the offensive backfield. Overlooked redshirt senior who looks to anchor that defense again in 2019.
Shamad Lomax, DB
Lomax was the 2017 sun belt leader in forced fumbles. Despite being a smaller guy at 5’11” he can play deep and still be able to make tackles. Has a lot upside and can leverage his talent against struggling quarterbacks.
Offense
Huntley carried this team. No question. Huntley certainly is the lone bright spot on offense when the quarterback who throws over 2500 yards records a TD:INT ratio of 13:9. When your quarterback’s ratio resembles a widescreen TV, something is off. Who knows if it’s the coaching or the decline of New Mexico State football, but the Aztecs’ eyes should be on the ball carriers not the QB.
On paper, it seems as though the Aztecs have a good shot at stopping the rushing game and hurry the quarterback. There were liabilities in the secondary from 2018, and it has to be on Rocky Long to turn this around.
Defense
On paper, San Diego State’s run-heavy offense would be highly effective against their front 7. This game looks like it will depend on what the Aztecs offense looks like by kickoff. Rumors have circulated that Coach Rocky Long will move towards the spread offense. Who knows if San Diego State flushes out how they approach their new offense by then.
Way Too Early Prediction
San Diego State rolls.
San Diego State 31, New Mexico State 13
