LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The place to be on Saturday, Nov. 4, is undoubtedly Aggie Memorial Stadium when NM State welcomes Middle Tennessee and seeks its second bowl birth of the Jerry Kill era. The Aggies will also be looking to extend their win streak to five games and stay in command of a trip to the CUSA Championship Game in the first year in the league.

Game Information
NM State (6-3, 4-1 CUSA) vs. Middle Tennessee (2-6, 1-3 CUSA)
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN+

• Adam Young (Play-by-Play)
• Danny Knee (Color Analyst)
• Tatiana Favela (Sideline)

Radio: The Aggie Radio Network, Powered by LEARFIELD

• Jack Nixon (PxP)
• Cory Lucas (Color Analyst)

PICK SIX
4 - Tuesday's win over LA Tech extended NM State's win streak to four games to mark the first time the program has accomplished this feat since 2002.
63 - With a win on Saturday, the Aggies will become bowl eligible in consecutive seasons for the first time in 63 years when they did so in the 1959-60 seasons.
4 - A home victory over MTSU will mark just the fifth season since 1992 that the Aggies have reached four or more home wins.
10 - NM State concluded a perfect October with a win on Tuesday. The 2023 seasons marks just the second time since 1967 that an Aggie team has done so.
6 - The Aggies six-win season marks the first time that NM State reached six victories before November since the 1966 campaign.
6 - Head Coach Jerry Kill now ranks 6th all-time in win percentage among NM State head coaches with at least 10 games under their belt. Entering Saturday, Kill hoists a 13-9 record for a .591 win percentage.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

When the Aggies emerge from the tunnel on the north end of Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday, they will be staring victory right in the eyes as they look to become bowl eligible for just the sixth time in program history.

Though the Aggies have already reached the magic number of six wins, because NM State's schedule has 13 games this year, they will be in need of a seventh victory in order to guarantee themselves a spot in the field of 82 teams that will play in a bowl game during the 2023-24 bowl season.

NM State's second bowl berth under Head Coach Jerry Kill would mark the first time since the 1959-60 seasons that the Aggies claimed a spot in a bowl game in consecutive seasons.

Not only will Saturday's contest have historical implications, but the Aggies will also be looking to continue to remain in the driver's seat of earning a spot in the CUSA title game later this year. As it stands, the Aggies are 5-1 in conference play and sit only behind Liberty and a Jax State squad who is ineligible to compete in the championship game due to its transitioning status.

OCTOBER'S VERY OWN

Since Jerry Kill took over the Aggies, the month of October has been friendly to the men in crimson and white and that trend has only continued this season.

With last Tuesday's result, the Aggies are now 4-0 this October and now move to 6-1 in the 10th month of the year across the last two seasons. With the win over LA Tech, the Aggies surpassed their number of October wins during the previous regime which spanned nine seasons.

In this year's October span, the Aggies have put up some staggering statistics that rival that of the best in the nation. This year, NM State finished the month ranked near the top of the nation in a handful of stats.

• T-5th in rushing yards per attempt (6.0 yards per rush)

• 6th in opponent 3rd-down conversion percentage (22.9%)

• 10th in scoring defense (15.3 ppg)

• 19th in yards per play (6.6 yds)

• T-19th in rushing offense (210 ypg)

• T-19th in rushing defense (106.8 ypg)

Additionally, in the month of October, the Aggies are one of only five teams inside the top 20 in both rushing offense and defense.

During this stretch, the Aggies are also among the top two teams in CUSA in 12 different categories - total defense (1st, 359.8 ypg), touchdowns allowed (1st, 8), scoring defense (1st, 15.25), yards per play (1st, 6.6), rush yards per attempt (1st, 6.0), rushing defense (t-1st, 106.75), rush yards per carry allowed (1st, 3.5), turnover margin (1st, +3), opponent 3rd down conversion percentage (1st, 22.9%), touchdowns scored (2nd, 14), total offensive yards per game (2nd, 415.75), rush yards per game (2nd, 210).

PROTECT THIS HOUSE

With the Aggies' win over Sam Houston on Oct. 11, NM State has now rattled off three consecutive home wins, a feat that has been accomplished only four times in the last 20 NM State seasons.

During the win streak, the Aggies have outscored opponents 119-51. NM State's offense has averaged 515.7 yards of offense per game while holding opposing teams to just 337.0 yards per game. On the ground, the Aggies have limited opponents to just 67.0 rushing yards per game.

Against the Blue Raiders, the Aggies will be looking for win number four at home this season - a feat that the Aggies have accomplished only four other times since 1992 ('22, '07, '04, '02). This would also be the second consecutive season that the Aggies would stack four home wins to mark the first time that NM State have done so since 1966-67. 

WHAT CAN CRIMSON DO FOR YOU?

Despite often leaning on the passing attack, this year's Aggie squad has also been dominant in the trenches as they have outgained their opponents in rushing yards in all but one game this season.

Thus far, the Aggies are one of only three CUSA teams to average more than 200 rushing yards per game this season. The Aggies are also currently coming off of back-to-back games in which they rushed for over 200 yards.

"IT'S A SIMPLE GAME"

As Jerry Kill would say, "It's a simple game, we just like to make it hard sometimes." A primary focus for all offenses, including the Aggie offense, is to protect the ball. When that happens and the Aggies commit zero turnovers, NM State is a perfect 5-0 this season. On the contrary, the Aggies have won just one game this season when the opposing defense comes up with at least one turnover.

BUCKLE DOWN ON FOURTH DOWN

After opposing teams attempted to go for it on 4th down just 3 times in the first 5 games, the Aggies have seen opposing teams try to convert on 4th down 18 times in their last 4 outings.

The Aggie defense has been more than up to the task as it ranks second in CUSA in opponent fourth down conversion percentage during that stretch. In the last four games, teams are just 8-for-18 against NM State – this conversion rate sits only behind UTEP who has only had to play defense on fourth down on four occasions and have come up with three turnovers on downs.

GO-GO GADGET ELI

In his first season with the Aggies, quarterback Eli Stowers has quickly become one of the Aggies' top weapons and has done so from almost everywhere on the field.

The Denton, Texas, native made his first appearance at the tight end position against FIU on Oct. 4 and has since appeared at tight end, wide receiver, running back and even safety.

In the last three games, Stowers has led the Aggie offense in receptions, receiving yards or both after beginning the season as the Aggies primary backup at the quarterback position.

On the season, Stowers ranks second on the team in receptions (23) and fifth in receiving yards (188). Stowers also has one touchdown pass this year as he hooked up with Jordin Parker for a 63 completion on Sept. 2 against Western Illinois.

100 YEARS

The win over UTEP in El Paso coupled with the win over New Mexico in Albuquerque earlier in the season helped NM State accomplish something it hadn't done since 1923.

The pair of victories marked the first time that the Aggies knocked off both of their rivals on the road in the same season in 100 years. However, the 2023 season is just the first time since 1999 that the two tilts came on the road as most years the Aggies host either the Lobos or the Miners.

WINNING WAYS

With a win last Tuesday, NM State extended its win streak to four games to match its longest stretch without a loss since the 2002 season. In fact, the 2002 streak of four consecutive wins is the program's only four game win streak since 1975.

STAR OF THE SHOW

In Tuesday's win over Louisiana Tech, Star Thomas, a Louisiana native, appeared in the starting lineup for the first time this season. The Aggies leading rusher from the 2022 campaign took advantage of the opportunity as he rushed for a game-high 88 yards to mark his second-highest total of the year.

KINGS OF NEW MEXICO

For the first time since 2017, NM State tallied a win in Albuquerque as they defeated the Lobos 27-17 on Sept. 16. This also marked the second consecutive win over the Lobos and makes Jerry Kill the first Aggie coach since Dewayne Walker to begin his career with a perfect 2-0 record against the Aggies' in-state rival.

In the win, the Aggies were led offensively by Albuquerque native Diego Pavia who finished the night with 203 passing yards, two throwing touchdowns and 99 rushing yards. The 99-yard rushing total marked the most by any Aggie at that point in the season.

SPECIAL TALENT

Since his arrival in 2019, Ethan Albertson has established himself among the top kickers in the country. Two weeks ago, Albertson received recognition for his performance against New Mexico as he was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.

The award came on the heels of a Saturday performance in which he made a pair of field goals and went a perfect 3-for-3 on PAT attempts.

Amid his senior season, the San Diego native ranks inside the top ten in NM State history for field goals made (4th, 38), field goals attempted (6th, 52), field goal percentage (1st, 73.1%), extra points made (5th, 92), extra points attempted (5th, 96) and extra point percentage (2nd, 95.8%).

DUAL THREAT

After an impressive first season in the Crimson and White, quarterback Diego Pavia already finds himself among the Aggie greats. He currently ranks 17th all-time in program history in career passing yards (3,346) and third in career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,033). Last Wednesday, Pavia also became just the second quarterback in program history to surpass 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in an Aggie uniform.

AIR IT OUT

Between Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck and Wide Receivers Coach Tony Sanchez, the Aggies have formed an offensive attack that produces big play after big play in the passing game. Currently, the Aggies rank seventh in the nation in passing yards per completion - averaging over 15 yards per reception (15.2).

Thus far, the Aggies have compiled 21 passing plays of 25 yards or more in nine games. This also includes 11 passing plays of 40 yards or longer (40, 40, 42, 42, 49, 52, 63, 75, 75, 78, 80). This all begins in the backfield with Diego Pavia who now ranks 15th among FBS quarterbacks in yards per pass attempt at 9.12.

BLOCK THAT KICK!

On Sept. 9, the hand of Gabe Peterson helped NM State's special teams unit came up with a blocked point after attempt for the first time since Dion Henrique did so at Florida on Sept. 5, 2015.

The big paw of Peterson did it again on Oct. 24 when he swatted away a PAT attempt against LA Tech.

BIG PLAYS ONLY

Jordin Parker has put together one of the most unique seasons in all of college football as he has now caught three touchdown passes on just four receptions on the season.

His stat line gets even stranger when you look at his total receiving yards this year. Following yet another big catch against FIU, Parker ranks third on the team in receiving yards with 194. That is good for an astonishing 48.5 yards per reception.

A WINNING TRADITION
With 13 wins under his belt at NM State, Jerry Kill is the tenth winningest active coach in FBS football.

Of note, three of the top 10 coaches on the active wins list lead CUSA programs as K.C. Keeler (ranked 4th) and Rich Rodriguez (ranked 9th) lead Sam Houston and Jacksonville State, respectively.

Aside from Keeler and Rodriguez, Kill trails just Nick Saban (Alabama), Mack Brown (North Carolina), Brian Kelly (LSU), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Willie Fritz (Tulane), Chris Creighton (Eastern Michigan), and Terry Bowden (Louisiana - Monroe).

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT

When HC Jerry Kill replaced Doug Martin, the Aggies cleaned house for the remainder of the coaching staff as well. In fact, just one staff member was retained from the 2021 team - Defensive Graduate Assistant Quinn Thomas.

However, from 2022 to 2023, all 10 assistant coaches will make the return. This makes Kill's staff one of just seven schools in the country to bring back its entire staff - joined by Colorado State, Louisiana, Kansas, USC, Iowa and Pitt.

NO LIMITS ON THE AGGIES

As the Aggies enter the heart of their conference schedule, some of NM State's numbers stack up against the best of the best in the new league.

Currently, the Aggies have six individuals who rank inside the top five in the conference in a total of 20 statistical categories.

Diego Pavia

Pass Efficiency (2nd, 159.8)

Passing TDs (3rd, 17)

Passing Yards (3rd, 1,896)

Passing Yards per Game (3rd, 210.7)

Passing Yards per Completion (2nd, 14.93)

Total Offense per Game (4th, 276.4)

Yards per Pass Attempt (2nd, 9.12)

Rushing Yards (4th, 592)

Rushing Yards Per Game (4th, 65.8)

Rush Yards per Carry (2nd, 5.86)

Completion Pct. (2nd, 61.1%)

Completions Per Game (4th, 14.11)

Ethan Albertson

Field Goal Pct. (3rd, 75%)

Field Goals Per Game (1st, 1.33)

Scoring (1st, 67 pts)

Trent Hudson

Receiving TDs (2nd, 6)

Total TDs (4th, 6)

BEHIND ENEMY LINES (MTSU)

NM State will return to Aggie Memorial Stadium for the first time since hosting Sam Houston on Oct. 11 as it welcomes former Sun Belt foe Middle Tennessee.

Head Coach Rick Stockstill will lead the Blue Raiders in the Saturday matchup between now CUSA counterparts. Stockstill has now been at the helm of the MTSU program for 17 and a half seasons and has racked up 111 wins to rank third all-time in MTSU history.

MTSU's offense will be led by redshirt sophomore Nicholas Vattiato who has thrown for 2,156 yards and 15 touchdowns this season and ranks first in CUSA in completion percentage - completing 68.1% of his pass attempts.

In the receiving game, Vattiato will be looking for a trio of targets as Elijah Metcalf, Holden Willis and Justin Olson each have over 30 catches this season. Metcalf, a 5-9 receiver from Charlotte, N.C., enters the game as the Blue Raiders' leader in receiving touchdowns with 5 on the season.

Meanwhile, Jaiden Credle will serve as MTSU's primary running back as he paces the Blue Raiders with 372 yards on the ground this season. Vattiato will also be a threat out of the backfield as he ranks second on the team in rushing yards.

LAST TIME VS. MTSU

The last time the Aggies and Blue Raiders met was in 2004 when the two sides faced off in what was the most lopsided matchup in the history of the series when NM State toppled MTSU 44-10 in Las Cruces to improve to 2-0 all-time versus the Blue Raiders at home.

#NM State##