Liberty looks to post a perfect 2-0 mark in the month of October when New Mexico State comes to town on Tuesday, October 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on CBS Sports Network from Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Since moving to the FBS, the Flames have frequently met the Aggies, playing eight times since 2018. Of course, this includes the unusual in-season home-and-home series the two, at the time, FBS Independent teams played in 2018 and 2019, Liberty’s first two years at the FBS level. The two teams met a total of five times as Independents from 2018-22, with Liberty going 3-2 in those meetings. Both teams then joined Conference USA ahead of the 2023 season. Liberty defeated New Mexico State, 33-17, on September 9, 2023 and then the two met in the CUSA Championship Game that year with the Flames pulling out the 49-35 win to secure the 2023 CUSA Championship and advance to the Fiesta Bowl. Last season, Liberty had a massive comeback win in the fourth quarter to beat NMSU, 30-24, in Las Cruces.

Tony Sanchez is in his second season as head coach at New Mexico State. He and the Aggies posted a 3-9 record last year and 2-6 mark in conference play. Sanchez has never posted anything but a losing season in six seasons as an FBS head coach, previously going 20-40 in five years at UNLV.

So far this season, the Aggies are 3-2 and 1-1 in conference play. They opened the year at 2-0 with wins over Bryant (19-3) and Tulsa (21-14) before dropping two straight including their conference opener at Louisiana Tech, 49-14. NMSU last played on October 2, defeating Sam Houston, 37-10, in Las Cruces.

Logan Fife, a 5th year senior and transfer from Montana, has taken over at quarterback for the Aggies. He has completed 98 of 172 passes (56.98%) for 1,270 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He has given NMSU a solid passing attack, as the Aggies have improved from one of the worst passing offenses in the country a year ago. Fife is not much of a rushing threat, as he has only 2 yards rushing and 1 touchdown on 45 carries this season.

Donovan Faupel is Fife’s favorite target, he has hauled in 23 passes for 312 yards and a touchdown. Gavin Harris (16 rec, 234 yards, 1 TD) and PJ Johnson, III (14 rec, 215 yards, 3 TDs) are also in the mix for Fife.

The rushing offense has been another story. The Aggies are the worst team in the country when it comes to running the football, as they are being held to 50.8 yards rushing per game and 1.9 yards per carry, both of those marks are at the bottom of CUSA. Kadarius Calloway has been NMSU’s top running back, with 45 rushes for 146 yards (3.2 ypc) and 2 touchdowns. Dijon Stanely and Isaiah Rudison have combined for 34 rushes for 101 yards.

On defense, the Aggies are holding opponents to 22.8 points per game, 152.6 yards rushing per game, and 246 yards passing per game. Naeten Mitchell is the team’s top tackler with 44 to go along with 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass breakups. Jamall Thompson and Ezra Christensen have combined for 57 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 7 quarterback hurries.

Previous Meeting

  • September 7, 2024: Liberty 30, NMSU 24
  • Series: Liberty leads, 6-2

Key Players to Watch

  • Logan Fife (QB)
  • Donovan Faupel (WR)
  • Jamall Thompson, Jr. (DE)
  • Ezra Christensen (DL)
  • Naeten Mitchell (S)

NMSU Recent/Upcoming Schedule & Results

  • September 13: Louisiana Tech 49, New Mexico State 14
  • September 27: New Mexico 38, New Mexico State 20
  • October 2: New Mexico State 37, Sam Houston 10
  • October 14: at Liberty
  • October 22: vs Missouri State