LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State officially kicks off the 2026 season as they travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for a Week 0 matchup at Florida State. This will serve as the second time that the Aggies and Seminoles meet on the gridiron and represents the first time the Aggies open the season on the road since 2019.
 
GAME ONE
Who: NM State (0-0, 0-0 CUSA) at Florida State (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
Where: Tallahassee, Fla. – Doak Campbell Stadium (67,277)
When: Saturday, August 29, 2026 – 5 p.m. MT
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: The CW
Play-by-Play: Thom Brennaman
Analyst: Jason Cabinda
Sideline: Wes Bryant

Radio: 99.5 FM KXPZ / TuneIn App
Play-by-Play: MJ Newsom
Color Analyst: Cory Lucas

Live Stats: NMStateSports.com/Stats
 

YEAR THREE FOR TONY SANCHEZ

NM State begins its third season under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Sanchez. Last year, the Aggies tallied four wins, increasing their win total by one game from the 2024 campaign. This marks Sanchez's eighth season as a head coach at the FBS level after previously spending five seasons at the helm of the UNLV program (2015-19).

In total, Sanchez holds a career record of 27-57 and a record of 7-17 as the leader of the Crimson and White. During Sanchez's tenure, the Aggies have seen 15 individuals earn all-conference honors, including a pair of First Team All-CUSA selections in 2025. This year, the Aggies are seeking their third appearance in a bowl game in a five-year span - a feat that has never been done at NM State.

THE ROAD STARTS ON THE ROAD

For the first time since the 2019 season, NM State will open its season away from Aggie Memorial Stadium. In 2019, the Aggies kicked off the season at No. 23 Washington State. This was also the last time that Aggies began the season against a power conference opponent.

Since 1978, the Aggies have opened their season on the road a total of 24 times and hold a record of 3-21.

START STRONG

With season-opening wins in 2024 and 2025, the Aggies will be looking to record a victory in their third consecutive season opener. This is something the program has not accomplished in nearly 50 years as they last did so in 1977, 1978 and 1979.

WEEK 0

Both NM State and Florida State are familiar with playing in the spotlight as a part of Week 0. Since 2018, the Aggies have played during Week 0 a total of four times. However, this will be the first time that the Aggies hit the road for a Week 0 matchup. Additionally, NM State is seeking its first Week 0 victory after previously falling to Wyoming (2018), UTEP (2021), Nevada (2022) and UMass (2023).

Meanwhile, Saturday will represent the third time since 2002 that Florida State competes during Week 0. This will be the second time that Florida State hosts a Week 0 game. Previously, it faced off against Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in 2002, hosted Duquesne in 2022 and traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to play Georgia Tech in 2024. In total, FSU holds a 2-1 record in Week 0 games with wins coming over Iowa State and Duquesne. 

EMPHASIS ON EXPERIENCE

With 15,176 combined snaps in FBS competition, the Aggies' roster ranks fourth among CUSA teams in career FBS snaps played, sitting only behind Liberty (21,490), Kennesaw State (17,153) and Western Kentucky (15,607).

Additionally, with 215 combined FBS starts, NM State ranks second among CUSA programs with only Liberty (279) having more combined starts than the Aggies.

POWER FOUR FOE

In Week 0, NM State will face off with ACC foe Florida State, marking just the second time in program history and first time since 1964 that the Aggies share the gridiron with the Seminoles. In the first meeting, Florida State earned a 36-0 victory in Tallahassee.

Entering the weekend, the Aggies have only shared the field with six of the 17 teams that currently reside in the ACC. They currently hold a combined record of 0-10 against SMU (0-3), California (0-3), Georgia Tech (0-1), Louisville (0-1), Florida State (0-1) and Boston College (0-1).

In total, NM State hold a record of 16-124 against programs that are currently in the ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12. This includes the Aggies' most recent Power Four victory which came on Nov. 18, 2023, when they knocked off Auburn by a score of 31-10 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

TALLYING TAKEAWAYS

After finishing 129th in the nation in turnover margin in 2024, the Aggie defense flipped the script and forced at least one turnover in every game during the 2025 campaign. This became the first time since 2011 that the Aggies logged at least one turnover in every game. With an emphasis on taking the ball away, the Aggies finished the year ranked second in the conference and 14th in the nation in turnovers forced with 24

In 2025, Joe Morris' defense came away with 15 interceptions, while recovering nine fumbles. The Aggies also submitted two defensive touchdowns last season. NM State's 15 interceptions was the most for the program since 2017, when it tallied 17.

RETAINING THE ROSTER

For the first time since the transfer portal was introduced, the spring portal window no longer exists. For Head Coach Tony Sanchez and the Aggies, this could prove to be a difference maker.

This season, 92 of the 105 on the Aggies' roster were with the program during the spring. Last year, the Aggies lost 18 players to the transfer portal following the spring semester in 2025. This included seven starters - one of which was running back Seth McGowan who landed at Kentucky before becoming a seventh round NFL Draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Additionally, by the end of the 2025 season, only one of the Aggies' starting offensive linemen was with the program during the spring.

KING OF THE GRIDIRON

One key returner for the Aggies this season is wide receiver TK King, who enters his second year with the program and serves as the team's leading returning pass catcher.

In 2025, King finished with 41 catches for 588 yards despite playing in just eight games. This included a monster game in the final game of the season. Against Middle Tennessee in Week 12, King exploded for 178 receiving yards on 10 catches. This total now ranks 20th all-time in program history.

King will now lead a group of wideouts which includes notable returners Brodie Malone-Bradford, AJ Williams III and TJ Pride along with newcomers Myles Libman and Lyndon Ravare.

BRACE FOR IMPACT

In the offseason, the Aggies added HBCU Impact Player of the Year James Jones, who made a name for himself with a breakout season at Delaware State. As a junior, 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.

Last season, Jones eclipsed 100 yards rushing six times and tallied nine rushing touchdowns. In comparison, NM State eclipsed 100 rushing yards just twice as a team in 2025.

LEADERS IN THE MIDDLE

NM State brings back two big pieces of its defense as both linebackers Sone Aupiu and Tory Gethers return for the 2026 season. 

Aupiu, who tallied a career-high 11 tackles in the Aggies' season finale last year, enters his fifth year with the program and fourth as a starter. In total, Aupiu has made 36 starts for the Aggies and is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he ranked third on the team in total tackles with 68.

After a breakout season in 2025, Tory Gethers will be 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.

QB1

For the third consecutive season, the Aggies will hand the keys to the offense over to a new quarterback. This year, transfer Trey Hedden has earned the starting job after spending the previous two seasons slinging it at Furman. With the Paladins, Hedden compiled 4,734 passing yards and 30 touchdowns through the air, including posting a program record 2,967 passing yards as a sophomore in 2025. At Furman, Hedden tallied nine games with 250-plus passing yards, including eclipsing 300 yards twice. He also threw multiple touchdowns in 11 total games.

YEAR TWO WITH YOST                                 

While the Aggies bring in a new quarterback, NM State does enter its second season with Offensive Coordinator David Yost on the headset.

Yost boasts more than 30 years of experience, including stints in well-respected conferences such as the SEC, Big 12, Pac-12 and Mid-American. He maintains a reputation of being one of the top quarterback developers in college football and has helped the growth of several NFL-bound passers, including Justin Herbert (Oregon), Jordan Love (Utah State), Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) and Chase Daniel (Missouri).

CLOSE CALLS

Finishing games has been an emphasis for Head Coach Tony Sanchez this offseason after he saw his squad come up short in four games that came down to the wire. In 2025, the Aggies fell twice in overtime games and twice missed potential game-tying field goals in the final minute of play.

In total, the Aggies played in six one-score games, but only emerged victorious twice. This marked the most games decided by eight or fewer points in one season since 2017, when the Aggies played in seven one-score games.

FREQUENT FLYER MILES

This season, the Aggies will be near the top of the nation in movies downloaded as they are set to take on a schedule which includes trips to Tallahassee, Honolulu and Miami. According to CFBMap.com, the Aggies schedule features the seventh most travel miles among all FBS programs. In total, the Aggies are slated to travel a total of 17,763 miles to rank behind only Hawaii, Stanford, Sacramento State, North Dakota State, Arizona State and California.

FLORIDA AGGIES

In total, the Aggies' roster includes six student-athletes from the state of Florida. This ranks fifth-most among home states for this year's roster. The group includes starting quarterback Trey Hedden, who hails from Tampa, Fla., and will compete in a collegiate game for the first time in his home state this Saturday in Tallahassee.

Additionally, Jakobe Campbell (Zephyrhills) and Luke Moise (Miami) also call The Sunshine State home.

COACHING STAFF CONTINUITY

Once again, NM State enters the season with continuity on its staff as nine full-time coaches return for the 2026 season. Only Siddiq Haynes (Defensive Line) and Jamie Christian (Running Backs) enter their first season with the program.
 

AGGIE THROUGH AND THROUGH

From student-athlete to head ball coach, Tony Sanchez has had crimson running through his veins since the day he transferred to NM State as a player. Now, Sanchez is one of just 15 coaches at the FBS level currently serving as the head coach at his alma mater.

Following two seasons at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Sanchez began his Aggie playing career in 1994. During his time, Sanchez made 54 catches for 741 yards and five touchdowns to help the Aggies win seven games. His career was highlighted by a senior season in which he tallied 42 catches for 576 yards and four touchdowns.

Sanchez collected his first win as the Aggies' head coach on Aug. 31, 2024, when NM State defeated SEMO 23-16.

AGGIE ADDITIONS                         

In the offseason, the Aggies brought in a total of 49 newcomers, including 33 transfers with 11 coming from the FBS level. Some of the notable newcomers include quarterback Trey Hedden (Furman), running backs TJ Washington Jr. (Iowa) and James Jones (Delaware State), wide receivers Myles Libman (Stanford) and Lyndon Ravare (Kennesaw State), safety Tayden Barnes (Cincinnati), cornerback De'Marcus Peters (Texas A&M-Kingsville) and defensive lineman Kaian Roberts-Day (UTSA) among others.

THE JOE FIELDS ERA

On September 29, New Mexico State University announced the hiring of Joe Fields as the institution's 24th Director of Athletics. Prior to being named the AD at NM State, Fields spent one year at Tulsa. His time in collegiate athletics also includes stops at his alma mater, Syracuse, as well as Texas A&M. Fields also competed as a student-athlete himself, playing safety at Syracuse (2004-07), where he earned All-Big East Conference honors. He also spent one year in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers.

WHERE ARE THEY FROM                           

This year's Aggie roster is made up of 105 players from 23 states and three countries. The largest percentage of the roster hails from Texas, with 25 Aggies coming from the Lone Star State, narrowly edging out a group of 24 from California. Additionally, 13 players are from Arizona and nine are from the Aggies' home state of New Mexico.

In addition to the United States, the NM State roster also features one player each from Australia and Canada.

TEAM CAPTAINS                                               

Ahead of the season, NM State held a team vote to select its team captains for the 2026 campaign. This year, the Aggie captains are made up of three offensive players and three defensive players.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Aggies are led by quarterback Trey Hedden, offensive lineman Tyler Keinath and wide receiver TK King. Defensively, linebacker Sone Aupiu, safety Nick Session and defensive lineman Henry Davis III will also serve as team captains.

YEAR FOUR                                       

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 11 games across its first three seasons in the new league.

HISPANIC HEAD COACHES

The Aggies' leader, Tony Sanchez, is one of just five Hispanic head coaches at the FBS level. Sanchez, a second-generation American of Puerto Rican and English descent, is also joined in this group by Baylor's Dave Aranda, Miami's Mario Cristobal, Duke's Manny Diaz and West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez.

Additionally, Sanchez is the first NM State head coach of Hispanic descent. Sanchez leads the Aggie program, which is based in Las Cruces, a city with over 60% Hispanic population.

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 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

The Aggies' Week 0 matchup against the Seminoles will be the first of the program's nationally televised games as it will air live on the CW with Thom Brennaman (PxP), Jason Cabinda (Analyst) and Wes Bryant (Sideline) on the call.

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. Additionally, all home games will be available in Spanish on 96.7 FM La Equis with the call provided by Abel Rodriguez (play-by-play) and Eddie Rubio (analyst). Radio broadcasts for all Aggie games will also be available to listen to nationwide via the TuneIn App. Radio play-by-play for Saturday's game will be provided by MJ Newsom, with analysis provided by Cory Lucas.

ON THIS DATE IN AGGIE HISTORY

Saturday will mark just the second time that the Aggies take the field on Aug. 29. The only other time that NM State played on this date came in 1996, when they fell to New Mexico 28-7 at home.

MORE ON THE SEMINOLES

Saturday marks the Aggies' second trip ever to take on Florida State. The Aggies' and Seminoles' first matchup came in 1964, when NM State fell 36-0 before winning five of its last seven games to finish the year at 6-4 under the guidance of Warren Woodson.

Led by Head Coach Mike Norvell, the Seminoles are coming off their second consecutive losing season and their sixth season with a sub-.500 record in the last eight years. Norvell enters his seventh season at the helm of the program and currently holds a 38-34 record as the leader of the Noles.

Ahead of the 2026 campaign, Florida State was picked to finish 11th in the ACC according to the media's predicted order of finish following a vote of more than 185 media members. The Seminoles also received three first-place votes to serve as one of seven teams in the 17-team conference to earn at least one first-place vote.
 

For complete coverage of NM State athletics throughout the 2026-27 academic year and beyond, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Aggies), X (@NMStateAggies) and Instagram (@NMStateAggies).