It’s Rio Grande Rivalry week, the annual Meeting between New Mexico and New Mexico State . Even though the series is dominated by the Lobos, it’s one of the biggest games each year for both of the team. Check Twitter for #BEATUNM, #RioGrandeRivalry, and #UNMVsNMSU and you’ll get a sense of how passionate the fan bases are about the rivalry. Last year the Lobos beat the Aggies 66-17 behind 541 yards rushing.
"Last year, that’s way over rated. That score got inflated quickly. We got a kickoff return for a touchdown. And they quit kicking the ball to our kickoff returner. You know things happen in college football where one team explodes. I think that’s irrelevant now going into Saturday" Coach Davie said (Courtesy New Mexico Athletics via Bob Davies Media Luncheon Tuesday.)
This year’s installment should be more competitive as Coach Doug Martin has his Aggies 2-1 with wins over Cal Poly and Georgia State. While these are not top tier teams, these are games that NMSU have lost in the past with the Georgia State game being on the road. Both teams have a common opponent in the UTEP Miners in which the Lobos lost the game 31-24 on a late mistake. While the Aggies looked to be out sized and tired out in the second half of their 42-24 loss to the Miners.
Bob Davie compared the Aggies offense to that of Conference member Fresno State. "New Mexico State is almost like Fresno". New Mexico State is average 244.70 yards through the air but threw for 324 against UTEP. The Lobos are 12th in the country in rushing yards, averaging 308.5 yards per game this year.
WEEK 4: New Mexico Lobos vs. New Mexico State Aggies
WHEN: Saturday, September 20th – 6:00 PM, MST
WHERE: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, New Mexico (30,343)
2014 SEASON: New Mexico 0-2 (0-0MWC), UTEP (2-1, 1-0 Sun Belt)
TV: The game will be Available on ESPN3 or Via ESPN’S Game plan
RADIO: New Mexico’s Albuquerque radio affiliate is part of the Lobo Radio Network, 770 AM (KKOB). New Mexico States broadcast can be heard on KGRT 98.7 FM - Las Cruces (Flagship), ESPN 101.7 FM - Rio Rancho/Albuquerque
SERIES RECORD: New Mexico leads the series 68-31-5
WEB SITES: GoLobos.com, New Mexico’s official athletic site, nmstatesports.com NMSU’s official athletic site
What to watch – New Mexico:
1.Lobos Quarterback position: It’s possible that Cole Gautsche will not be back from his hamstring injury and probably will not play against the Aggies. "I don’t think we are going to know. We are preparing quite honestly like he won’t play. It won’t make any difference to us. And it won’t make any difference to New Mexico State." Coach Davie said (Courtesy of New Mexico Athletics via Bob Davies Media Luncheon Tuesday.)
Despite missing the Lobos game against Arizona Stat, Gautsche is the Lobos Leading Rusher. During the ASU game the Lobos discovered that they found their heir apparent to Gautsche in Lamar Jordan. If Gautsche is out, it will be hard to keep Jordan off the field. Jordan showed the ability to run the ball as well as give the Lobos a duel threat with his passing ability. Combine that with Mitchem’s mistakes and it looks like the freshman will take most of the snaps against the Aggies.
At Tuesdays media luncheon, Bob Davie was asked about how much playing time Jordan would receive "That depends a lot quite honestly on Cole. But, like I said I am not anticipating Cole to play. Depending on how the game goes you can see 75-80 percent, or if Clayton Mitchem comes in and does some good things 50%." (Courtesy New Mexico Athletics via Bob Davies Media Luncheon Tuesday.)
2.Carlos Wiggins: Wiggins is the Lobos most dynamic weapon but he missed last week’s game due to injury. He is now at full speed and will play against the Aggies. Wiggins will be paired in the back field with the emerging Teriyon Gipson and Jhurell Pressley. Look for Wiggins to be involved early in both the run and passing game to stretch the field for the Lobos.
3.Lobos Defense: At this point it seems like a broken record the Lobos are once again ranked near the bottom in ever defensive category. Even with a new Defensive coordinator the Lobos still struggle practically in stopping the run. As the Lobos have given up to 200 yards in both games to opposing teams running backs.
Bob Davie attributes the defensive struggles to maturity. "It really is our lack of maturity. It’s us finding out more about where our players really are right now and it’s about players finding out what it really takes to play 60 or 70 games at the kind of level we play at." Coach Davie said (Courtesy New Mexico Athletics via Bob Davies Media Luncheon Tuesday.)
Bob Davie also talked about making changes ahead of the NMSU game to improve the defense. "We’ve looked at some guys in different positions. Nothing dramatic we’ve moved some guys ahead of other guys. You know it’s not getting done. We’re not getting results and you just don’t sit there stagnant. So certainly we’ve addressed a lot of different things but we are still in the process quite honestly of who are the guys? "Coach Davie said (Courtesy New Mexico Athletics via Bob Davies Media Luncheon Tuesday.)
What to watch - NMSU:
1. Tyler Rodgers: Rodgers is a 6'3" Junior College transfer from Arizona Western College. Rodgers is a versatile Quarterback that can run but prefers to throw the ball. Rodgers is averaging 241 yards a game but has seen his total go up each of his first three games. He threw for a season high of 324 yards against UTEP last week. Rodgers is 6.51 yards per attempt and has a completion percentage of 58.60. Rodgers weakness is his touchdown to interception ratio; he has thrown four interceptions this year compared to 7 touchdowns. The Lobos must pressure Rodgers earlier and force him to make mistakes.
2. Larry Rose III: Rose is a 5'10" 180 pound true freshman running back for the Aggies. While he is not a big running back Rose has quick feet and has big play ability He rushed for 2,924 yards on 237 carries and 49 touchdowns as a senior at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Texas . Rose is the same type of back as the Lobos Gipson, he is currently the Aggies leading rusher at 234 yards for the season averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
3. Teldrick Morgan: Morgan is a 6'0" 185-pound redshirt sophomore wide receiver from Hanover, Maryland. Morgan redshirted the 2013 season and serviced as a scout team receiver for the Aggies. This year Morgan leads the team with 22 receptions for 342 yards and averages 15.5 yards per catch. Morgan had his break out game against UTEP where he had 8 receptions for a career high 202 yards.
The Prediction:
Aside from the Mike Locksley era, the Lobos have dominated the Rio Grande Rivalry and generally have the more talented team. This year the teams seem to be more even matched and while the Lobos are 0-2 there Loses have come against better opponents than the Aggies two wins. I can see the Lobos struggling to stop the Aggies passing game but the Lobos will control the ground and the tempo of the game. I see the Lobos running away with this game 35-14 for their first win of the season.
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