Press release of the NMSU Athletics
The NM State Aggies first set out in 2021, traveling to Southern California for a 8:30 p.m. (MT) matchup with the San Diego State Aztecs at Dignity Health Sports Park on CBS Sports Network.
For the 13th time in the history of the program and for the fourth time since 2010, the Aggies (0-1) and Aztecs (0-0) meet.
HOW TO SEE:
Fans can catch all of the action on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz (PBP), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Lindsay Rhodes (sideline). Aggie Nation can also stream Saturday’s competition on CBSSports.com (cable TV subscription required).
LISTEN:
Radio “Voice of the Aggies” Jack Nixon and the former aggie standout Cory Lucas will take over the radio duties in the Aggie Sports Network. Fans can listen to Nixon and Lucas on the flagship Aggie Football station ZiaCountry 99.5 FM, the TuneIn app or the brand new “Varsity Network” app. The following Aggie Sports Network partners will also broadcast Saturday’s game:
103.7 FM Alamogordo
990 AM Artesia
1240 p.m. Karlovy Vary
1.80 p.m. El Paso
94.9 VHF Gallup
12:30 p.m. Gallup
COACH SPEECH (HC DOUG MARTIN):
“We’re playing a much better team this week. San Diego State is one of the best teams in Mountain West and they are a great defensive team. They are well trained and have great athletes. They have all the resources in the world. It’s tough to play against those teams So that’s the challenge this week. We’ll play them and see what we can do. “
GET TO THE MOUNTAIN:
The competition on Saturday in San Diego State is the first of seven competitions the Aggies will play against Mountain West this season. Following the game at San Diego St, NM State will make the short trip to New Mexico (September 11th). The 2021 schedule also includes a home game with Hawaii (September 25, October 23), street competitions in the state of San Jose (October 2) and Nevada (October 9), and a home game with the state of Utah (November 6).
LOCATION OF THE NATION:
The second corner Torren Union earned his first career start on Saturday night against UTEP. As the nephew of film star Gabrielle Union and former NBA superstar Dwyane Wade, Union moved from the state of South Dakota to the Aggies. On Saturday, the Arizona native had six tackles and one pass breakup. His six tackles were the fourth most in the Aggies on Saturday.
‘TON OF PRODUCTION:
Second year Dalton Bowels is adapting well to his new position (security). The former graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute made his first appearance as Aggie and started on Saturday. Bowels had seven tackles and one interception that looked like an aggie touchdown. On the next play after his interception, Jonah Johnson found Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda for a 66 yard TD, but the game was recalled due to an ineligible player on the downfield call.
I’M GOING BACK TO CALI:
Highlighted by quarterbacks Jonah Johnson and Weston Eget, the active list of Aggies 2021 includes 26 California natives. Eight Native California residents are listed as starters in the Aggies this week.
GO DJ THAT’S MY DJ!
Corner DJ McCullough also forced a turnover for the Aggies. The cornerback picked up a pass in the fourth quarter on Saturday and returned the ball to the UTEP nine-yard line.
REMARKS:
LAST GAME (UTEP):
• Running back O’Maury Samuels made his Aggie debut on Saturday. The former Las Lunas star had 28 yards and added 20 through the air. The running back didn’t have a game that went to negative yards and hit both targets.
• Linebackers Trevor Brohard and Josh Ferguson each tied or set new career highs on Saturday. Brohard posted 11 tackles that shared his career high (Tarleton; 02/21/21) while Ferguson posted two tackles for loss that set a new career high. The duo were the two best tacklers for the Aggies on Saturday.
• On the special team side, previous Dixie State transfer Josh Carlson had another tough game. The Arizona native set a new career high for his longest poke when he booted a 57-yarder. The punter also had a 62 yard punt that was recalled due to an illegal formation penalty within the five.
• The Aggies won the Saturday night sales battle with two interceptions. The Aggies only flipped the ball once, a fumble from Jonah Johnson in the first quarter.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES (SDSU):
• The Aztecs join the first week match with the Aggies as they attempt to extend a winning streak of 11 games without conferences spanning nearly six seasons.
• The SDSU’s last home defeat outside of the conference was to South Alabama. The Aztecs fell back on September 19 in overtime with 34:27 against the USA.
• The Aztecs are returning 10 of the 15 players named one of three All-Mountain West players, including Cameron Thomas and Caden McDonald. McDonald was placed on the Bendarik Award Watch List while Thomas was also placed on the same list.
• McDonald recorded 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2020. Thomas added 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
• On the offense side of the ball, projected SDSU QB Jordon Brookshire returns after seeing action in three games last season.
• Brookshire completed 42 of 74 passes for 410 yards and two touchdowns. The Aztecs lost starter Carson Baker to Western Kentucky in 2020.
• Baker played six of the eight SDSU competitions, completing 59 of 104 for three touchdowns and interceptions.
• San Diego native Jesse Matthews was the Aztecs’ lead receiver in 2020 with 24 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown.
• Also in 2021 is tight end Daniel Bellinger, who took the second most passes on the SDSU team (21) for 203 yards.
• SDSU also returns as running back to Greg Bell who was high school teammate with current NM State WR Ron Vann.
• Bell, a transfer from Nebraska, ran 637 yards (91.0 / game) with six touchdowns in 2020. The back also added 11 receptions for 114 yards and a score.
• Brady Hoke aims to lead his SDSU squad to a Mountain West title in his second Aztec assignment. The Aztecs were chosen to take third place in the ultra-competitive Mountain West Western Division behind future NM State opponents San Jose State and Nevada.
NEXT:
The Aggies complete a two-game street swing next Saturday as they make the short drive on I-25 to Albuquerque to face the New Mexico Lobos. The kick-off for the battle for I-25 is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the stadium.
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