LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State football team (4-7, 2-5 Conference USA) will close out its 2025 season against Middle Tennessee State University (2-9, 1-6 CUSA) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+.
NMSU is coming off an intense 34-31 rivalry road victory over UTEP Nov. 22, its first win away from Las Cruces this year. On the same day, MTSU defeated Sam Houston State University 31-17 at home to secure its first conference win.
The Aggies are 4-2 all-time against Middle Tennessee and 2-0 against them since joining CUSA, one of just seven FBS programs NMSU has a winning record against.
Quarterback Adam Damante started his first game of the year for the Aggies in their battle with the Miners, following Logan Fife’s big hit taken in the 42-9 loss to No. 18 Tennessee Nov. 15. Damante went 29-for-41 passing for 253 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the victory.
Head coach Tony Sanchez said he is unsure who will take the field first in Saturday’s matchup, but that both have a chance at playing.
“It depends how he (Fife) is. Adam had a good game. He had some mistakes too, but he did a good job too,” Sanchez said “We just need a healthy guy in there to be able to move around. I don’t want to put him (Fife) in a tough situation or us. If he’s 100% healthy and he feels good, I think you’ll see both of them.”
The Blue Raiders have also gone through a quarterback change due to an undisclosed injury to senior Nicholas Vattiato. Redshirt freshman Roman Gagliano has taken over the job in his absence and has not disappointed. He has gone 46-for-76 passing for 657 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the previous two games. He also had two rushing touchdowns in the win over SHSU.
Both teams must prepare for two quarterbacks.
The NMSU defense has been stellar to say the least, as they have forced at least one turnover in every game this season. Cornerback Stilton McKelvey kept this streak alive against UTEP with an interception at the 13:56 mark of the third quarter, his first of the season.
NMSU is -4.5-point favorites, marking the first time it has been favored to win a game since Week 1 when they defeated FCS foe Bryant University 19-3 at home.
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