LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State football team starts the 2025 season against FCS opponent Bryant University at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
This is the fifth consecutive year NMSU will start the season at home, and they have an opportunity to win back-to-back season openers for the first time since 2006-07. This is also the second straight year they face an FCS opponent to begin the season. They defeated Southeast Missouri State University 23-16 Aug. 31, 2024.
Despite starting the season 1-0 last year, the Aggies finished with just a 3-9 win-loss record (2-6 in Conference USA). The Bryant Bulldogs went 2-10 (0-8 in Coastal Athletic Association). NMSU is the favorite to win the opener, with the odds being placed at -19.5, according to ESPN analytics.
The Aggies win total for the season is set at O/U 4.5 wins, but the Las Vegas odds have them hitting the over.
The NMSU schedule features four opponents it has never played in program history, including Bryant. The other three are Missouri State University, Kennesaw State University and #24 University of Tennessee.
Second-year head coach Tony Sanchez has a chance to lead the Aggies to its third bowl game appearance in four years. To do so, he brought in 55 newcomers with 42 of them being transfers. 15 of these transfers came from the FBS level.
NMSU faced offensive struggles last year, especially at the quarterback position. They will enter the season with University of Montana transfer Logan Fife being the solidified starter.
In 2024, he threw 14 passing touchdowns for 1,885 yards and only two interceptions for Montana. He also tallied five rushing touchdowns and is on the CUSA Preseason Watch List.
The Montana Grizzlies ended the season with a 9-5 record, after falling to #3 South Dakota State University in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Despite this loss, the Grizzlies still edged out a 29-24 victory over CUSA opponent Missouri State to open the year Aug. 31, 2024.
Fife spent three seasons at Fresno State University before his time at Montana.
Sanchez said it is a good feeling having the starting quarterback position set ahead of the opener.
“We voted for captains the other day and he got over 100 votes with 105 guys, so that just shows the way he’s reflected in front of the team,” Sanchez said in a press conference Aug. 25. “The earlier you can pick that guy, the better.”
Another big pickup is offensive coordinator David Yost. Yost was hired from CUSA foe Florida International University. Yost has 37 years of coaching experience with some being at the highest stages, including the Big 12, SEC and Pac-12 conferences.
Yost is also known as a quarterback developer, coaching NFL players like Green Bay Packers star Jordan Love and Los Angeles Chargers standout Justin Herbert.
Both Fife and Yost have proved they have what it takes to put the program in a poised spot to make an offensive jump this year.
Other key additions include defensive end Gabe Peterson, who was part of the team from 2022-23 but played for Utah State University last season. He is also on the CUSA Preseason Watch List.
Running back Kadarius Calloway is a transfer from the University of California, Berkeley. He is expected to be a key piece to the offense, with the losses of Seth McGowan and Mike Washington Jr.
McGowan is now part of the University of Kentucky roster and Washington Jr. will be competing for the University of Arkansas.
Wide receiver AJ Williams III adds more depth to the position along with returners TJ Pride and PJ Johnson III. Williams III is a Division III transfer from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Sanchez thinks Williams III will have a breakout season.
“He can run, he can jump, he’s a good player,” Sanchez said. “We expect him to have a heck of a year for us. He was a really good get, so we’re excited about him.”
Former Aggie offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he will play alongside McGowan.
Former San Jose State Spartan Malik Williams is a player Sanchez will look to fill the role. Williams has played both right and left tackle since 2022 and said he will do whatever it takes to help the Aggies reach six regular season wins.
“Picking up the offense is really easy for me,” Williams said. “I’m really just here to help the team any way I can and that’s my biggest goal at the moment.
Linebacker Tyler Martinez is a returner beginning his third season. He compiled 94 total tackles in 2024 and is part of the CUSA Preseason Watch List as well.
For more news on the football team, visit NMStateSports.com.
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