This story has been updated to reflect NMSU's correct overall record of 10-5.
After earning double-digit victories for the first time since 1960, New Mexico State looks to sustain its success in 2024.
The Aggies went 10-5 last season, losing their final two games against Liberty in the Conference USA Championship Game and against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. The Aggies spent much of the following offseason retooling, as former coach Jerry Kill and 19 players departed after the 2023 season, including starting quarterback Diego Pavia.
New coach Tony Sanchez replaced Kill after spending the last two seasons as his wide receivers coach. It’s Sanchez’s second time leading a program after garnering a 20-40 record in five seasons as UNLV’s coach from 2015-19. He’ll look to guide NMSU back to the CUSA title game in its second year in the conference and to three consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in program history.
Here is a look at NMSU’s 2024 schedule:
*Denotes Conference USA game
vs Southeast Missouri State
Date, time and channel: Aug. 31, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Aggies open with a home contest against FCS Southeast Missouri State of the Big South-OVC Association. The Redhawks finished 4-7 last season and made the FCS Playoffs in 2022, losing in the first round to Montana.
vs Liberty*
Date, time and channel: Sept. 7, 8:15 p.m., ESPN2
NMSU opens C-USA play early against Liberty, who it lost twice to in 2023. Liberty took its 13-0 record to a New Year’s Six bowl after itssecond win over the Aggieslast season, losing 45-6 to No. 8 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
at Fresno State
Date, time and channel: Sept. 14, TBA
The Aggies’ first road test is a non-conference matchup with Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference in a rematch oflast season’s New Mexico Bowl. NMSU is 1-19 all-time against FSU, with its lone win coming in 2011.
at Sam Houston*
Date, time and channel: Sept. 21, 5 p.m., ESPN Networks
NMSU picks C-USA play back up against the Bearkats, who finished 3-9 last season. The Aggies defeated Sam Houston 27-13 in 2023 in their first-ever matchup with the Bearkats, and will take its first trip to Huntsville this season.
vs New Mexico
Date, time and channel: Sept. 28, 6 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies re-enter non-conference play with their annual Rio Grande Rivalry game against New Mexico, who finished 4-8 last season. NMSU is looking for its third straight win over its in-state rival after 21-9 and 27-17 wins in 2021 and 2022.
More: It's finally here! Check out the Las Cruces-area football schedule for the 2024 season
at Jacksonville State*
Date, time and channel: Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m., ESPN2
NMSU starts a four-game stretch of C-USA games and a three-game stretch of weekday games against the Gameco*cks on the road. The Aggies played JSU for the first time last season, winning 20-17 on a walk-off field goal from former NMSU kicker Ethan Albertson. The Gameco*cks finished 9-4 in 2023 after defeating Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl.
vs Louisiana Tech*
Date, time and channel: Oct. 15, 7 p.m., ESPNU
The Aggies return home to face Louisiana Tech, who finished 3-9 last season, on a Tuesday evening. NMSU snapped its six-game losing streak to the Bulldogs dating back to 2007 last season with a 27-24 victory.
at Florida International*
Date, time and channel: Oct. 29, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network
NMSU comes off a bye week to face FIU on the road, who finished 4-8 last season. The Aggies will look for consecutive wins over the Golden Panthers after earning a 34-17 win over FIU last season.
vs Western Kentucky*
Date, time and channel: Nov. 9, 4 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies play on a Saturday for the first time since September when they host Western Kentucky for the first time. NMSU defeated the Hilltoppers 38-29 in the first-ever matchup between the two schools last season. WKU would finish the year 8-5 after defeating Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
at Texas A&M
Date, time and channel: Nov. 16, 5:45 p.m., SEC Network
NMSU faces Texas A&M in its final non-conference game, its 25th game against an SEC team. The Aggies will look to pull off another upset aftertrouncing Auburn 31-10on the road last season. Texas A&M went 7-6 last season after losing to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl, and defeated NMSU 52-10 in the only matchup between the two teams in 2016.
at Middle Tennessee
Date, time and channel: Nov. 23, 12:30 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies play their final road game against Middle Tennessee in their first visit to Murfreesboro since 2003. NMSU can make it three straight wins over the Blue Raiders after a 13-7 victory last season. MTSU finished 4-8 last season.
vs UTEP
Date, time and channel: Nov. 30, 2 p.m., ESPN Networks
NMSU closes out the regular season with the 101st edition of the Battle of I-10 against UTEP. The Aggies earned a commanding 28-7 win over the Miners last season, who went on to finish the year 3-9.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2024 New Mexico State Football Schedule, Preview
