LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Two programs trending in opposite directions meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, as the New Mexico State football team (2-2, 0-1) hosts Conference USA opponent Sam Houston State University (0-4, 0-1) in a matchup that could carry major implications for both teams’ postseason hopes.
This will be the only collegiate football game Thursday night and fans can watch it on CBS Sports Network.
Just a season ago, Sam Houston proved to be one of the fastest-rising programs in Conference USA. The Bearkats went 10–3 in 2024, finished 6-2 in league play, and capped their year with the school’s first FBS bowl victory.
However, the offseason brought sweeping changes. Longtime head coach K.C. Keeler departed for Temple University and the defense lost every starter from that bowl team.
First-year head coach Phil Longo, known for his offensive background, has walked into a rebuild. The results have been rocky as they are off to an 0-4 start to the season. While the record may look disappointing, they have the hardest schedule in CUSA.
Sam Houston’s defense has struggled with cohesion, while the offense has been inconsistent outside of quarterback Hunter Watson’s dual-threat ability.
Watson, who last year threw for 1,811 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 647 yards to go along with nine scores, remains the Bearkats’ best hope. His legs have kept drives alive, but the passing attack has not clicked in 2025. He enters this matchup with just under 400 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Without proven receivers around him, Watson has been forced to do it all. The Bearkats are already staring at a steep climb to six wins and their bowl eligibility is in jeopardy.
New Mexico State finds itself in a different but equally important stage of development. The Aggies finished 3–9 last season and head coach Tony Sanchez is still searching for stability.
The arrival of quarterback Logan Fife, a transfer from the University of Montana, has provided hope. Fife does not have Watson’s explosiveness but he brings efficiency and decision-making, traits NMSU desperately needs.
The challenge is protecting him. The Aggies lost six of their top seven offensive linemen from last year, and the lack of experience up front has led to inconsistency in both pass protection and the running game.
Sanchez said a quick turnaround from Saturday’s loss to rival New Mexico could be beneficial, since they have a chance to get back in the win column sooner than usual.
“It’s one of those deals where it’s all how you message it,” Sanchez said. “If it was a seven-day deal, we’d message it that day. Advantages test your grit.”
This underscores Sanchez’s focus on resilience and preparation, especially as NMSU seeks to bounce back after early-season struggles.
Defensively, the Aggies have playmakers in the front seven but stopping the run has been a glaring issue. Big plays burned NMSU repeatedly in 2024 and unless they tighten up, Watson’s scrambling ability has the chance to create similar problems Thursday.
On the other sideline, Sam Houston’s new-look defense has talent but lacks chemistry. Growing pains have shown up in blown coverages and missed assignments, leaving the Bearkats vulnerable to rhythm quarterbacks like Fife.
The game has an opportunity to come down to which signal-caller controls the tempo. If Watson gets loose on the ground, Sam Houston has the firepower to pull off a road win. If Fife finds early rhythm and the Aggies’ line holds up, New Mexico State could take advantage of the Bearkats’ rebuilt defense.
For Sam Houston, a loss here would be another step toward missing the postseason after last year’s high-water mark. For New Mexico State, it is a chance to get back on track.
The Aggies have struggled on the road, but at home, this matchup represents an opportunity to bounce back and have a winning record.
With both teams searching for identity, a physical quarterback-driven game where mistakes or the lack of them could decide the outcome.
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