LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After three consecutive road games, the Aggies are back in the comfort of their own home this weekend.
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NM State begins a two-game homestand Saturday, Nov. 16, hosting UIW inside Aggie Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT on
FloFootball and
FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
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This Saturday's contest is also Military Appreciation Day. NM State will honor its military veteran students, faculty and alumni with a series of pregame/in-game events and promotions designed to recognize members of the armed services in the Aggie family.
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HOW TO WATCH
The contest will be broadcast on FloFootball with
Adam Young (play-by-play) and Danny Knee (analyst) on the call. Fans can also watch the game via FOX Sports Arizona Plus and
FOX Sports Go.
LISTEN UP
Fans can listen to every Aggie football game this season via the Aggie Sports Network. NM State Athletics/US Bank Hall of Famer
Jack Nixon mans the play-by-play duties, and Cory Lucas provides analysis.Â
The broadcast can be heard on NM State's flagship station 99.5 FM KXPZ or onÂ
TuneIn. Additional radio affiliates include:
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Alamogordo - 103.7 FM KNMZ
Albuquerque - 1150 AM KNMM
Carlsbad - 1240 AM KAMQ
El Paso - 1380 AM KHEY
Gallup - 1230 AM, 94.9 FM KYVA
Las Vegas - 107.1 FM KMDS
FCS? THAT AIN'T NO PROBLEM
The Aggies hold an all-time record of 52-29-1 against Football Championship Subdivision programs. NM State's most recent victory over an FCS opponent came last season, when the Aggies rolled to a 52-42 win against Alcorn State.
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Saturday's meeting with FCS foe Incarnate Word is the first-ever clash between the two opponents in both schools' history.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Linebacker
Javahn Fergurson is once again among the nation's best in tackling. The Baton Rouge, La., native, who led the FBS in tackles per game last season, has 104 total tackles through nine games this year, which ranks as fifth most in the country.
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He has double-digit tackles in each of the Aggies' last seven games, racking up at least 13 tackles each time out since the contest against San Diego State. The redshirt senior ranks fifth in the FBS in tackles per game.
1. Evan Weaver (Cal) - 15.2
2. David Woodward (Utah State) - 13.3
T3. Dele Harding (Illinois) - 12.0
T3. John Lako (Akron) - 12.0
5.
Javahn Fergurson (NM State) - 11.6
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The Aggie offense, meanwhile, continues to rely on the arm of quarterback
Josh Adkins. The redshirt sophomore signal caller has been up to the task this season, as he ranks ninth in the FBS in completions per game with 23.4.
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SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
UIW is 5-5 overall this season, including a 4-4 mark in Southland Conference play. After jumping out to a 5-2 start, the Cardinals have lost three consecutive games, with the most recent setback coming at the hands of Stephen F. Austin last weekend.
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The Cardinals have forced a turnover in 22 consecutive games. Following the three forced turnovers against SFA, UIW leads the nation (FBS and FCS) with 30 takeaways.
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UIW's 17 interceptions lead the FCS and are tied for the national lead, matching Oregon's 17. The Cardinals have recorded 13 fumbles, which is good for fourth nationally.
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Quarterback Jon Copeland helms the Cardinal offense. He has thrown for 2,822 yards this season and needs 163 yards to break the all-time single season passing record in UIW history.
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Halfback Keyondrick Philio leads the Cardinals with eight rushing touchdowns. He has scampered for 306 rushing yards this season.
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