LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State football team will travel to play the University of New Mexico Lobos at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at University Stadium in Albuquerque in the annual Battle of I-25 rivalry game.
This is the first time both teams have a winning record heading into the matchup since 1992, where they each had 1-0 win-loss records. NMSU and UNM are currently 2-1.
The Lobos lead the all-time series 74-35-5. If the Aggies secure the victory, it will be their first 3-1 start since 1999. It would also be back-to-back road wins against New Mexico for the first time since the 2009 and 2011 seasons.
Over 27,414 tickets have been sold, which surpasses the 2023 rival game. If 32,427 or more fans attend the contest, it will be the largest crowd University Stadium has seen since 2007. For it to be a sellout, 37,400 tickets must be purchased.
NMSU head coach Tony Sanchez said having returning players who have competed in this environment before is crucial.
“When the guys that are actually out there are talking about the rivalry and they’re telling the stories, it holds more weight with the players,” Sanchez said in a press conference Sept. 22.
One of these returners includes wide receiver PJ Johnson III, who recorded 157 receiving yards in a 49-14 road loss to Louisiana Tech University Sept. 13. Johnson III became the first Aggie to compile over 150 receiving yards in a game since 2017. He has two touchdowns on 13 catches for 211 yards to start the year.
Donovan Faupel has also caught 13 passes for a total of 177 yards and a touchdown through three meetings. Brodie Malone-Bradford scored his lone touchdown of the season against Louisiana Tech with a catch for 41 yards. He has recorded 68 receiving yards to begin the year.
A reason for the receivers success is quarterback Logan Fife, who has thrown five passing touchdowns for 762 yards on the season.
In comparison, Lobo quarterback Jack Layne has thrown three passing touchdowns for 515 yards.
While the Aggies passing game has shown improvement from last year, the Lobos rushing attack has done the same.
Three players have over 135 total rushing yards through the first three games, including Scottre Humphrey. Humphrey has rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns.
Damon Bankston has rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while D.J. McKinney has rushed for 139 yards to go along with a touchdown.
Despite this and the blowout loss to LA Tech, Sanchez is confident in his team.
“The biggest message I have for these guys is consistency,” Sanchez said. “We got to show up, be bluecollar about our approach and be consistent in our film watching, our weightlifting, our practice, our communication. Everything we do, we need to be consistent. If we do that, we’ll have a great opportunity to win this football game and many games after that.”
Both teams will be fresh for this highly anticipated in-state matchup as they both had two weeks to prepare for one another. The Aggies will have their hands full, as the Lobos are coming into this matchup hot after beating University of California Los Angeles 35-10 Sept. 12. UNM is currently on a two-game win streak.
According to ESPN, the Lobos are 13.5-point favorites with the O/U set at 53.5 total points.
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