LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Riding the ultimate high following a dominant win at Auburn last Saturday, NM State will be put to the test on Saturday as they welcome an eight-win Jax State program. With a win against the Gamecocks, NM State can extend its win streak to eight games and become just the second team in program history to reach double-digit victories.

Game Information
NM State (9-3, 6-1 CUSA) vs. Jax State (8-3, 6-1 CUSA)
Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Time: 2:00 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
8 - For the second time in program history, NM State has racked up nine wins, joining the 1960 team who finished the season 11-0 as the only other Aggie team to accomplish this feat.
1 - Saturday's monumental win over Auburn marked the first time in program history that the Aggies defeated a program from the Southeastern Conference. Previously, the Aggies were 0-27.
3 - Diego Pavia and Gabe Peterson each garnered CUSA Player of the Week honors to mark just the fourth time in program history that the Aggies have earned two conference player of the week awards in the same week.
10 - Jerry Kill currently ranks 10th in total wins among active FBS head football coaches with 174 wins to his name. Notably, the leader of the Jax State program, Rich Rodriguez, ranks ninth with 180 wins.
16 - Including holding Auburn to just 10 points, NM State has held its opponents to an average of 16 points per game across the last nine outings.
2 - The victory inside Jordan-Hare stadium on Saturday made the Aggies the first non-Power Five program to win at Auburn since 2007 when South Florida earned an overtime victory over the Tigers.

CHARTING A NEW COURSE
If at first you don't succeed, try and try and try again. Touting an 0-27 mark against SEC opponents heading into Saturday's contest, the Aggies waltzed into famed Jordan-Hare Stadium and came away with a 31-10 victory. This became the first time NM State knocked off a Power Five opponent since a 2012 road win over Minnesota. In that matchup with the Golden Gophers, none other than current Aggie Head Coach Jerry Kill was on the opposing sideline amid his second season at the helm of the Minnesota program.
 
With the win, the Aggies also become the only current Conference USA member with a win over an SEC program as LA Tech's 13-13 tie versus Auburn in 1948 was previously the best result for a current CUSA affiliate against an SEC team.
 
CONQUERING JORDAN-HARE
One of the most storied venues in college football since its opening in 1939, Jordan-Hare Stadium has proven to be an incredibly difficult place to play. With Saturday's win, the Aggies became the first non-P5 program to win at Jordan-Hare since South Florida recorded a 26-23 overtime win in 2007.
 
Entering Saturday, Auburn was 346-93-7 for a .784 winning percentage to rank seventh nationally since the stadium's gates first opened 84 years ago.
 
BRICK WALL
Coming into the contest against Auburn, the Tigers were one of the most dangerous teams in the nation on the ground - ranking ninth in the nation in rushing yards per game (207.2). Against the Aggie defense which is led by Co-Defensive Coordinators Nate Dreiling and Melvin Rice, Auburn was only able to muster 65 rushing yards. This marks the first game this season where the Tigers failed to produce 100 yards and is the fewest total since 2021 when Alabama held Auburn to just 22 rushing yards.
 
This season, the Aggies rank second among CUSA teams in rushing defense - allowing opposing teams to run for an average of 135.7 yards per game. Saturday's performance is also the fifth time this season and seventh time in the last 14 games that the Aggies' opponent fails to eclipse the century mark on the ground.
 
UNDERDOG MENTALITY
The Aggies have held an us-against-the-world mentality all season long and Saturday was no different as they overcame the odds which labeled them as 25.5-point underdogs entering Saturday's game against Auburn. Despite the doubt, NM State was able to come away with a 21-point victory.
 
This is not the first time the Aggies' have won while being heavy underdogs under Head Coach Jerry Kill.Last season, the Aggies went into Williams Stadium as 24-point underdogs against now-CUSA foe Liberty and, using a 6-touchdown performance from Diego Pavia, took home a 49-14 win back to Las Cruces.
 
Interestingly enough, current Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze was also at the helm of the heavily-favored Flames in 2022.
 
CONTROLLING THE PACE
Running the ball and controlling time of possession has been a staple of the Aggie offense during the 2023 season and this has led to having one of the slowest offenses at the FBS level. Using games versus FBS opponents only, NM State is currently averaging 30.8 seconds per play to rank 131st out of 133 teams. This has been a heavy emphasis during the Aggies' seven-game win streak as they have led their opponent in time of possession in six of the last seven matchups, including maintaining possession for a season-high total of 38 minutes and 50 seconds versus Auburn.
 
Saturday will be a clash of styles as Jax State enters the game ranked second in the country in seconds per play at 20.6.
 
FOURTH AND FEARLESS
No stranger to taking chances, Head Coach Jerry Kill has been methodical with his decisions to keep the offense on the field for fourth down. All season long, the Aggies have thrived on fourth down - converting on 7 of their 10 fourth down attempts to pace CUSA teams in fourth-down conversion percentage at 70%.
 
This ability to succeed on fourth down was front and center against Auburn on Saturday as they were 2-2 when going for it on fourth down versus the Tigers. In fact, the two fourth-down conversions proved to be two of the most impactful plays of the game as the first conversion was a result of a fake punt while the second converted fourth down turned into six points as Diego Pavia found Eli Stowers for a touchdown on 4th-and-goal from the two yard line.
 
ìITíS A SIMPLE GAMEî
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 6-0 this season. This feat became even more impressive during Saturday's victory, as Auburn had forced a turnover in 19 straight games – the second-longest streak in the nation entering the weekend matchup.
 
On the contrary, the Aggies are 3-3 when the opposing defense comes up with at least one turnover.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND
With last Saturday's victory over Western Kentucky, NM State clinched a spot in the CUSA title game in just its first season in the re-construced league.
 
This marks the first time in history that the Aggie football program will play in a conference championship game and a win would give NM State its fourth conference title in program history and the first since 1978 when it was crowned champions of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Aggies also won the Border Conference in 1960 and were co-champs of the Border Conference in 1938.
 
When the Aggies take the field to compete for the title of CUSA Champion, they will do it against a fellow first-year member in Liberty who is currently ranked No. 22 in the AP poll and is one of just six remaining undefeated teams at the FBS level.
 
The 2023 CUSA Football Championship is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. MT, in Lynchburg, Va., where Liberty will host inside Williams Stadium. Fans unable to make the trip to the Old Dominion can watch the game on CBS Sports Network.
 
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
With the Aggies' qualification for the CUSA Championship game, NM State is now guaranteed to play 15 games this season - a number that is two greater than any other Aggie team in program history.
 
In fact, the Aggies will play the most games of any FBS team during the 2023 college football season as only a small number of teams even have the possibility of reaching 15 games.
 
For the Aggies, the path to 15 games came via a 13-game regular season schedule made possible by playing at Hawai'i coupled with an appearance in both their conference championship game and a bowl game. The only other way a team can get to 15 games is by way of earning a spot in its conference championship game, then qualifying for the College Football Playoff and reaching the National Championship.
 
While the Aggies schedule may feel lengthy, it comes nowhere near the grueling slate that the Chicago Maroons played in 1894 when they competed in college football's longest schedule - playing 22 contests while finishing the season with a 14-7-1 overall record.
 
TOUCHDOWN TRENT
NM State wide receiver Trent Hudson is amid one of the more impressive seasons for an Aggie wideout in recent history.
 
With his highlight-reel worthy one-handed touchdown grab against Western Kentucky, Hudson now has seven total receiving touchdowns this season - a mark that is good for third among CUSA pass catchers and 37th among all FBS receivers.
 
Hudson's breakout season also makes him the first Aggie to catch at least seven touchdowns since eventual NFL Draft pick Jaleel Scott hauled in nine touchdown passes during the 2017 season.
 
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Jerry Kill has widely become known as the "fix-it" head coach in college football as he has successfully turned around several programs he has taken over. Typically, it takes three seasons for the turnaround to fully take form. With Southern Illinois, he led the Salukis to a 10-2 record in year three after going 4-8 in year two. He then led Northern Illinois to a 10-3 record in year three after going 7-6 in the second year. Most recently, he led Minnesota to an 8-5 record after posting a 6-7 record in year two with the Gophers.
 
That rise to success has been expedited with NM State as the Aggies will look for win No. 10 in Kill's second year as the leader of the Crimson & White.
 
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS... AND GAMES
In the first three games of the season, Aggie opponents averaged 31.7 points per game. Since then, Nate Dreiling and Melvin Rice have the NM State defense clicking as the last seven opposing offenses are averaging 16 points per game. This includes performances against UTEP and Middle Tennesse in which they held the opposition to just seven points apiece. This also includes a nationally resounding showing against Auburn in which the Tigers scored only 10 points - to mark join Texas A&M and Georgia as the only other two programs to hold the Tigers to 10 or fewer points across the last two seasons.
 
Against Middle Tennessee, this stout defense proved to be essential to collecting the Aggies' seventh win of the season as NM State earned its first win while scoring 13 or fewer points since Sept. 13, 1980 when it knocked off UTEP 6-3.
 
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
With the Aggies' win over MTSU on Oct. 11, NM State has now rattled off four consecutive home wins, a feat that has been accomplished only four times since 1992.
 
During the win streak, the Aggies have outscored opponents 132-58. NM State's offense has averaged 487.3 yards of offense per game while holding opposing teams to just 339.3 yards per game. On the ground, the Aggies have limited opponents to just 92.3 rushing yards per game while averaging 201.8 rushing yards themselves.
 
This is 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.
 
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 finished this October with a 4-0 record and moved 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 put up some staggering statistics that rivaled that of the best in the nation.
 
• 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 were one of only five teams inside the top 20 in both rushing offense and defense.
During this stretch, the Aggies were 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).
 
WHAT CAN CRIMSON DO FOR YOU?
Despite often leaning on the arm of Diego Pavia who ranks 18th in the nation in passing touchdowns (22), 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.
 
At 206.3 rushing yards per game, the Aggies are ranked 10th in the nation at the FBS level and are one of only three CUSA teams to average more than 200 rushing yards per game this season. The other two CUSA teams to average 200-plus yards on the ground are the next two teams on the Aggies' schedule as Jax State averages 245.6 yards per game while Liberty's average of 282.2 yards per game is tops in the nation.
 
The Aggies have also now rushed for over 170 yards in 15 consecutive games and rushed for over 200 yards in four of their last five games.
 
WINNING WAYS
With a win on Saturday, NM State pushed its win streak to seven games - something that it had not accomplished since the historic 1960 season when the Aggies finished the season with a perfect 11-0 record. This is also just the fourth time in program history that the Aggies rattle off six wins in a row
 
NM State also has the opportunity on Saturday to join the 1960 squad as the only two Aggie teams in program history to record double digit wins.
 
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 for one play.
 
In five of the last six 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. Last weekend versus Auburn, Stowers also tallied a receiving touchdown for the second straight week after catching his first touchdown pass against Western Kentucky two weeks ago.
 
On the season, Stowers ranks second on the team in receptions (29) and third in receiving yards (326). 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.
 
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. Earlier this season, Albertson received recognition for his performance against New Mexico as he was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
Two weeks ago, Albertson garnered his second CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week honor of the season after going a perfect 5-5 on kicks against Western Kentucky, including a 40-yard field goal.
 
Amid his senior season, the San Diego native ranks inside the top ten in NM State history for field goals made (t-2, 42), field goals attempted (t-4, 56), field goal percentage (1st, 75%), extra points made (5th, 102), extra points attempted (5th, 106) and extra point percentage (4th, 96.2%).
 
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 13th all-time in program history in career passing yards (3,707) and third in career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,246). Against LA Tech, 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. With just 201 more rushing yards, Pavia will also become the all-time leader in rushing yards by an Aggie quarterback, surpassing K.C. Enzminger (1,360) and Paul Dombrowski (1,446).
 
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 15th in the nation in passing yards per completion - averaging over 14 yards per reception (14.2).
 
Thus far, the Aggies have compiled 24 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 12th among FBS quarterbacks in yards per completion at 13.97.
 
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.
 
With the pair of blocks, he is one of only 13 players in college football with two or more blocked kicks and the only athlete with two blocked PATs.
 
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 Auburn, Parker ranks fourth on the team in receiving yards with 230. That is good for an astonishing 44.4 yards per reception.
 
A WINNING TRADITION
With 15 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) leads Sam Houston while Saturday's opponent will be led by Rich Rodriguez who is ranked 9th in wins among acitve coaches.
 
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 four individuals who rank inside the top five in the conference in a total of 20 statistical categories.
 
Diego Pavia
Pass Efficiency (2nd, 152.3)
Passing TDs (4th, 22)
Passing Yards (3rd, 2,458)
Passing Yards per Completion (2nd, 13.97)
Points Responsible For (3rd, 162)
Points Responsible For Per Game (4th, 13.5)
Total Offense per Game (4th, 266.3)
Yards per Pass Attempt (2nd, 8.45)
Rushing Yards (4th, 738)
Rushing Yards Per Game (4th, 61.5)
Rush Yards per Carry (3rd, 5.51)
Rushing TDs (5th, 5)
Completion Pct. (3rd, 60.5%)
Completions Per Game (5th, 14.67)
 
Ethan Albertson
Field Goal Pct. (2nd, 76.2%)
Field Goals Per Game (1st, 1.33)
Total Points Scored (1st, 89 pts)
 
Trent Hudson
Receiving TDs (3rd, 7)
Total TDs (5th, 7)
 
Sterling Webb
Sacks Per Game (5th, 0.41)
 
SENIOR DAY
On Saturday, NM State will recognize nine seniors for their contributions during their time with the program. This season, tight end Thomaz Whitford, kicker Ethan Albertson, guard Isaiah Mursalat, defensive back Randy Robinson, tight end Ron Tiavaasue, defensive Back BJ Sculark, defensive back Devlin Kirklin, defensive lineman Izaiah Reed and wide receiver Chris Bellamy will each take part in the Aggies' senior day prior to the start of kickoff. In total, this group has combined to appear in 227 games for the Aggies entering Saturday.
 
BEHIND ENEMY LINES (JAX STATE)
NM State will line up across from the Gamecocks for the first time in the history of its program. Despite entering Saturday's game with an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 record in conference play in just their second season at the FBS level, the Gamecocks will play their final game of this season at Aggie Memorial Stadium as they are ineligible for postseason play due to the NCAA's transition rule.
 
After leading Power Five programs such as West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona, Rich Rodriguez is now at the helm of the Jacksonville State program and carries a record of 17-5 in just two seasons with the Gamecocks.
 
Offensively, the Aggies will be led by redshirt senior running back Malik Jackson who paces the team in rushing yards with 829. Zion Webb will also play a large role in the Gamecock offense as the dual threat quarterback has rushed for over 100 yards four times this season, including three of the last four game.
 
On the outside, Jax State will look to get leading receiver Perry Carter in space while 6-5 tight end Sean Brown will serve as the Gamecocks primary red zone threat as he leads the team in receiving touchdowns with five on the season.
 
Defensively, the Gamecocks will turn to Quae Drake for help in stopping the potent Aggie attack as Drake's 75 tackles lead the way for all Gamecock defenders.