For the roaster.
The New Mexico Lobos and New Mexico State Aggies will clash at Aggie Memorial Stadium for the annual Rio Grande Rivalry game on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1:30 p.m.
The Lobos will look to earn their third-straight win — their 76th all-time — over the Aggies in the 116th matchup between the two historic programs. NMSU is coming off two weeks of rest after a Week 3 bye, while UNM is coming off an emotional defeat to nationally ranked Oklahoma.
“These guys are gonna give us their best shot,” offensive lineman Malik Aliane said. “In this kinda game, you can scrap the record — you can scrap everything.”
UNM currently sits at 2-1 with victories over Central Michigan and Mercyhurst. NMSU enters this weekend 1-2, with losses to Florida State and Hawaii. Similar to the Lobos, they too blew past Mercyhurst.
“What sticks out to me is how tough they play,” defensive tackle Brian Booker said of New Mexico State. “They held their own against Florida State (and) that’s a good team. I think it’s going to be a tough matchup for us.”
The Lobos very much held their own against Oklahoma last weekend despite an eight-point loss. As Aliane mentioned, the wins and losses are thrown out the window. The rivalry is treated as a fresh slate. What’s been accomplished prior to the matchup carries minimal weight.
“Every time I’ve played New Mexico State, (in my) three years, they come out hot — they come out physical,” Aliane said. “They’re a physical team and they’re ready to take it to us.”
New Mexico returns a plethora of starters, giving their team an advantage heading into the anticipated matchup. As for the newcomers and freshmen, staying mentally and emotionally focused in a hostile environment is paramount.
“The number one thing I’ve been telling them is to make sure you don’t get too emotionally involved, make sure you’re executing your job,” Aliane said. “It’s easy to get out of whack and let the emotions take over.”
“It’s going to be really emotional,” Booker said. “We have to be able to control that.”
The Aggies took an early 17-7 lead over the Lobos during last season’s match. Head Coach Jason Eck highlighted NMSU’s fast start during Monday’s press conference. The players acknowledged things must change this time around.
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“We gotta start fast on these guys,” Booker said. “Last year they got the jump on us and we had to come back from halftime. (There’s a) big emphasis on starting fast and keeping our foot on the gas throughout the game.”
“Physical, emotional, tough.” That’s how Booker would describe the rivalry to someone who’s never experienced it.
For Aliane,“It’s a nitty gritty rivalry, New Mexico is a gritty state.”
Though the Aggies enter this weekend’s matchup below .500, they’ve produced promising passing numbers, sitting in the upper threshold of the FBS at 282.0 yards per game behind the arm of Trey Hedden.
“Their skill guys are really good,” Booker said. “They’re good in pass-pro…the quarterback is very poised in the pocket, he’s got a good arm. They’re honestly a really good offense from what I’ve seen on film”
New Mexico’s offense is still finding an identity and rhythm. There were too many self-inflicted wounds in Norman. Too many penalties. Too many moments where the Lobos beat the Lobos.
“We had a lot of penalties (and) a lot of assignment errors,” Aliane said of the offense’s performance last week. “Against a team like New Mexico State, we can’t afford to have that. We gotta play cleaner, we have to play better.”
Saturday’s match will be televised on CBS Sports Network — the first time New Mexico’s in-state rivalry will earn a widely-accessible national television stage.
Does winning this game in order for Lobo faithful to keep their bragging rights over New Mexico State mean anything?
“Absolutely it does,” Booker said without hesitation.
Edge Garcia is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @ByEdgeGarcia
