LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Football is slated to return to Aggie Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night as it hosts Jax State in what will serve as the Aggies' final Weekday CUSA game of the season. The battle features a pair of teams near the top of the league standings as NM State holds a 2-1 record and Jax State enters with a 3-0 mark in conference play ahead of Wednesday. Kickoff for the midweek matchup is slated for 6 p.m. MT and fans can purchase tickets at this link. Additionally, the game will be available to watch on ESPN2 as the Aggies play their sixth nationally televised game of the season.
 
GAME EIGHT
Who: NM State (3-4, 2-1 CUSA) vs. Jax State (5-2, 3-0 CUSA)
Where: Las Cruces, N.M. – Aggie Memorial Stadium (28,853)
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – 6 p.m. MT
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Clay Matvick
Analyst: Rocky Boiman
 
Radio: 99.5 FM KXPZ / TuneIn App
Play-by-Play: MJ Newsom
Color Analyst: Cory Lucas
 
Spanish Radio: 96.7 FM La Equis
Play-by-Play: Darien Salayandia
Color Analyst: Jose Aragon
 
Live Stats: NMStateSports.com/Stats
 
 
LAST TIME OUT: NM STATE 30, SAM HOUSTON 24
NM State earned its first road win of the season Wednesday night, defeating Sam Houston 30-24 in Huntsville behind a dominant rushing attack and a stingy defensive effort. After falling behind 7-0 on a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, the Aggies responded as Josiah Charles came up with an interception that turned into a one-yard scoring run for James Jones. Later, Adam Damante connected with AJ Williams III for a late first-half touchdown to send NM State into the locker room with a 14-10 lead. The defense was outstanding in the opening half, forcing an interception, three three-and-outs and holding the Bearkats to just 13 total yards.
 
The Aggies took control in the second half as Jones surpassed 100 rushing yards and Damante found Williams III for a second touchdown, while Kyah Francone added a field goal and TJ Washington Jr. scored on a short touchdown run following a Kaian Roberts-Day fumble recovery. Sam Houston trimmed the deficit to six late in the fourth quarter, but Jones sealed the victory with a hard-fought fourth-down conversion. Jones finished with 178 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries and Damante threw for two scores as NM State improved to 2-1 in Conference USA play.
 
RESTRICTING THE RUSH                           
Meanwhile, the Aggie defense has been limiting opposing offenses to just 109.1 rushing yards per game to pace all CUSA teams and 30th at the FBS level. For reference, the fewest rushing yards allowed per game for a single season in program history came back in 1965 when the Aggies held opponents to 113.1 rushing yards per game.
 
Additionally, the Aggies have increased the intensity during league play. Through three CUSA games, the Aggies are holding opponents to just 51.3 rushing yards per game - a mark which ranks first among all FBS programs in conference play. In fact, this is 16.7 yards per game fewer than the next closest average as Miami (OH) is holding its MAC opponents to just 68.0 rushing yards per game.
 
The Aggies also pace all FBS programs in yards per carry allowed in conference play this season as WKU, FIU and Sam Houston have combined to average just 1.6 yards per carry, which comes in 0.4 yards fewer than Indiana.
 
Last Wednesday was also the fourth time this season that the Aggies allowed fewer than 75 rushing yards. This marks the first time since at least 1994 that the Aggies have kept their opponents under 75 rushing yards four times in a single season.
 
BRICK WALLING THE BEARKATS       
In the win over Sam Houston, the Aggie defense allowed just 11 total rushing yards to mark the fewest rushing yards in a single game by an NM State opponent since Oct. 4, 2008, when the Aggies held Alcorn State to -13 rushing yards. Wednesday's performance against the Bearkats also marked the 14th fewest rushing yards an FBS defense has allowed in a single game this season.
 
This is also the fewest allowed by a CUSA team since UTEP held LA Tech to seven yards on Oct. 22, 2024.
 
CONTROLLING THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE     
After yet another dominant performance at the line of scrimmage, the Crimson and White have proven they can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
 
Entering Wednesday, NM State's rushing attack is averaging 151.4 yards per game to rank second among Conference USA teams. This is led by standout running back James Jones who is averaging 111.0 rushing yards per game to pace all CUSA backs and rank 10th in the nation.
 
This comes just one year after the Aggies finished last in the nation in rushing offense (77.3 yards per game).
 
In 2026, the NM State offense is averaging 4.58 yards per carry after averaging 2.60 last season. The 1.98 yard increase is the third-largest among all FBS programs this year.
 
GOOD TO BE BACK                                          
NM State collected its first road win of the season last week to mark the team's third win away from home over the last three seasons.
 
This season, CUSA teams have struggled to win on the road as the Aggies' win over Sam Houston marked just the seventh road victory for all CUSA teams as the league now holds a record of 7-29 in road games.
 
On the other hand, the Aggies are 2-1 at Aggie Memorial Stadium this year, while CUSA teams are a combined 24-10 at home during the 2026 campaign.
 
SETTING THE TONE                                        
On Wednesday against Sam Houston, the Aggies won the time of possession battle for the first time this season. This was especially fueled by the first and third quarters in which NM State held the ball for more than 10 minutes in each quarter. In the opening quarter, the Aggies had the ball for 11:54 before controlling the ball for 10:24 in the third quarter.
 
CONSISTENCY IS KEY                   
This season, the NM State defense has seen consistency throughout the year as nine Aggies have started all seven games this year. This includes Brad Vislisel, Henry Davis III, Gabe Peterson, Tory Gethers, Sone Aupiu, Josiah Charles, De'Marcus Peters, Lorenzo Smith and Nick Session.
 
QUICK STRIKES                                                  
Against Sam Houston, the Aggie offense put forth some of its most efficient offense of the 2026 season as three of its five scoring drives were two plays or less and 45 seconds or less.
 
The Aggies' first touchdown drive was set up by an interception by Josiah Charles that was returned to the 1-yard line. James Jones then punched the ball into the end zone on the very next play to mark a one-play, six-second scoring drive.
 
NM State then produced a touchdown on a two-play, 43-yard drive that spanned just 18 seconds just before the end of the first half.
 
The Aggies' final scoring drive of the night was also just two plays long and took just 45 seconds after a forced fumble and recovery from Kaian Roberts-Day set the Aggies up with the ball at the Sam Houston 27-yard line.
 
This season, NM State has now produced five scoring drives of two plays or fewer.
 
STAGNANT STICKS                                          
Against Sam Houston, the Aggie defense allowed the Bearkats to gain just nine first downs. This marked the first time in over 20 years that NM State's opponent gained fewer than 10 first downs. The Aggies last accomplished this when it limited UL Monroe to nine first downs on Oct. 25, 2003.
 
PRESSURING THE PASSER                        
The Aggie defense has now recorded multiple sacks in four straight games, marking the longest active streak among CUSA teams and 11th longest streak among FBS programs. On Wednesday, NM State will look to extend this streak to five games - something it hasn't done since 2018.
 
Aggie defensive end Gabe Peterson leads the charge in this category as he paces the Aggies and ranks first among all CUSA defenders with a career-best 5.5 sacks through just six games. This includes a league-best 4.0 sacks in conference action.
 
In the Aggies' CUSA opener against WKU, the Aggie defense recorded six total sacks to mark the program's most sacks in a single game since a seven-sack performance against FIU on Oct. 4, 2023.
 
NM State now sits at 17 sacks on the season to rank second among CUSA defenses and 39th at the FBS level.
 
This will be put to the test on Wednesday as Jax State enters the week allowing just one sack per game to lead all CUSA teams and rank 13th in the nation.
 
In total, seven different Aggies have at least one sack this season, including five players with multiple sacks just beyond the midway point of the season.
 
STRONG START TO CUSA PLAY                              
The victory over WKU two weeks ago marked NM State's first-ever win in a Conference USA opener and moved the Aggies into a tie atop the league standings. Previously, the Aggies were 0-3 in CUSA openers, including a 2023 campaign that saw the Aggies reach the conference title game.
 
With a 2-1 start to league play, this matches the program's best record through three games since joining Conference USA in 2023. The Aggies also opened with a 2-1 record in their inaugural season in CUSA and eventually went on to finish the year with a 7-1 record against league competition.
 
TALLYING TURNOVERS                               
After finishing 14th in the nation in turnovers forced in 2025, the Aggie defense has continued to produce takeaways. With an interception and a fumble recovery against Sam Houston, the NM State defense has now forced a turnover in 22 of its last 23 games dating back to the 2024 season. During this stretch, the Aggies have recorded an interception in 17 of the 23 contests.
 
With this, the Aggies are one of just nine FBS teams to intercept at least one pass in 15 different games since the start of last season.
 
DEFENSE TO OFFENSE                                  
Against WKU on Oct. 1, De'Marcus Peters' pick-six marked his second touchdown of the season and the third for the Aggie defense this season. With this, NM State ranks tied for third in the country in defensive touchdowns and is one of just six FBS teams in the nation with three or more defensive touchdowns this year. It is joined by Alabama (5), Texas Tech (5), Notre Dame (3), New Mexico (3) and North Dakota State (3).
 
KEEPING UP WITH JAMES JONES        
Against Sam Houston, James Jones had yet another breakout performance as he rushed for a career-high 178 yards and one touchdown. This marked the most rushing yards by an Aggie in a single game since Nov. 23, 2019, when Jason Huntley rushed for 191 yards against UTEP.
 
Through his first seven games with NM State, Jones paces the Aggies with 777 rushing yards on 119 carries. With 111.0 rushing yards per game, Jones currently paces all Conference USA rushers and ranks 10th in the nation. His 777 total rushing yards also ranks 14th in the country while his 6.5 yards per carry also rank second among CUSA rushers and stands at 16th among all FBS players.
 
While there are still five games remaining on the schedule, it is worth noting that no Aggie has averaged over 100 rushing yards in a single season since 2015 when Larry Rose averaged a program record 137.6 yards per game.
 
In CUSA games only, Jones is currently averaging 140.7 rushing yards per game to rank first in the league with Liberty's Kam Davis ranking second at just 91.0 yards per game.
 
Dating back to last season, Jones is averaging 8.0 yards per carry, which is second best of 629 players across the FBS and FCS with at least 100 carries. This comes in only behind Southern Utah's Will Burns (8.2 yards per carry).
 
With his outing at Sam Houston, Jones now has 2,823 rushing yards across his collegiate career, including 2,097 at the FCS and FBS levels combined.
 
Jones is familiar with big days in the backfield as he went over the 100-yard mark six times last season as a member of Delaware State. Dating back to his time with the Hornets, Jones has rushed for 100-plus yards in seven of his last 11 games. Across his collegiate career, Jones has rushed for 100-plus yards a total of 14 times, including four times at Garden City CC, six times at Delaware State and four times with the Aggies.
 
His four 100-yard games this season marks the first time an Aggie rusher has eclipsed the century mark four or more times in a single season since Jason Huntley did so five times during the 2019 campaign.
 
As a senior at Delaware State last season, Jones compiled 958 rushing yards on just 98 carries to post an average of 9.8 yards per carry and 87.1 yards per game.
 
HOMETOWN COOKING                                
Last week, senior wide receiver AJ Williams III produced his biggest game in an Aggie uniform as he hauled in three catches for 52 yards and a pair of touchdowns. This breakout performance came less than an hour away from his hometown of Spring, Texas, where he played football and basketball and ran track at Spring High School.
 
WEEKDAY CUSA                                                 
Wednesday's game serves as the Aggies' fourth and final midweek contest of the season and is one of 18 nationally televised midweek Conference USA games this year.
 
Across four seasons, the Aggies hold a record of 8-5 in Weekday CUSA games. This will mark the second time that the Aggies collide with Jax State during the midweek slate after also doing so in 2024 in Jacksonville, Ala.
 
LEADERS IN THE MIDDLE                         
NM State brought back two big pieces of its defense as both linebackers Sone Aupiu and Tory Gethers returned for the 2026 season.
 
Aupiu is in his fifth year with the program and fourth as a starter. In total, Aupiu has now made 43 starts to lead all Aggies and currently ranks third among NM State defenders in tackles with 35. He also ranks second on the team in both tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3.0). Aupiu also has one interception and one forced fumble this season.
 
After a breakout season in 2025, Tory Gethers is alongside Aupiu once again. Gethers serves as the Aggies' leading tackler among returners after ranking second on the team with 88 total tackles, despite only starting eight games last year. Currently, Gethers ranks second on the team in tackles with 44, including a sack, three tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.
 
POSTGAME DRONE SHOW                        
NM State fans in attendance on Wednesday will be treated to a whole new kind of postgame entertainment. Following the conclusion of the game, a show featuring a fleet of drones with LED lights will light up the sky just beyond Aggie Memorial Stadium. Fans will be able to see animations, logos, written messages and more in the first-ever drone show at an NM State Athletics event.
 
THE AGGIES IN CUSA                                     
The Aggies are now in their fourth year as members of Conference USA. NM State made quite the splash in its debut campaign - going 7-1 in league play on its way to an appearance in the CUSA Championship Game in addition to being one of only 27 FBS programs to reach the 10-win mark in 2023. NM State has now won 12 games across its first four seasons in the new league and will continue conference play this Wednesday against Jax State.
 
With the 30-24 win over Sam Houston last Wednesday, the Aggies have already matched their CUSA win total from the first two seasons under Head Coach Tony Sanchez.
 
CLASS IS IN SESSION                     
One of the biggest plays in the Aggies' win over Mercyhurst earlier this season came from safety Nick Session who intercepted a pass on the first play of the game and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.
 
Prior to his interception in the season opener, Session had just one interception in his collegiate career with his first coming as a member of the Oklahoma State defense in 2021.
 
Session has also been flying around on the back end this season as he currently leads the Aggies in total tackles with 52, including 35 solo tackles. With his total, he is just nine tackles away from matching his season total from last year.
 
WHERE TO WATCH THE AGGIES         
After just three of the Aggies' 12 games were featured on national networks in 2025, the Aggies will find themselves in the national spotlight at least six times this season. This year, NM State is slated to play three games on ESPN2, two games on CBS Sports Network and one game on The CW.
 
Week 9 marks the sixth time this season that the Aggies will play on national television as Clay Matvick (PxP) and Rocky Boiman (Analyst) will be on the call for ESPN2.
 
WHERE TO LISTEN TO THE AGGIES  
Once again, all games this season will air live on 99.5 FM KXPZ for those in Las Cruces and the surrounding areas. Radio broadcasts for all Aggie games will also be available to listen to nationwide via the TuneIn App. Radio play-by-play for Wednesday's game will be provided by MJ Newsom, with analysis provided by Cory Lucas.
 
Additionally, all home games will be available in Spanish on 96.7 FM La Equis with the call provided by Darien Salayandia (play-by-play) and Jose Aragon (analyst).