Aggies open ’17 at Arizona State

The Sun Belt Conference on Wednesday announced its football schedule for 2017, the final season for New Mexico State before it is booted from the league and goes independent.

The Aggies will open at Arizona State on Aug. 31, one of two payday games on the schedule. The other is Sept. 30 at Arkansas. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported NMSU will receive $800,000 and $1.35 million respectively to play those games.

NMSU’s five home games: Sept. 16 vs. Troy; Sept. 23 vs. UTEP; Oct. 28 vs. Arkansas State; Nov. 25 vs. Idaho and Dec. 2, vs. South Alabama.

NMSU plays at New Mexico on Sept. 9.

BAYLOR: The Texas Rangers have opened a preliminary investigation into how the university handled reports of sexual and physical assault over several years. Baylor officials say an internal investigation found at least 17 women who reported being sexually assaulted by 19 football players in recent years, although one lawsuit puts the number at more than 50 women. OKLAHOMA: Quarterback Baker Mayfield has apologized for his behavior over the weekend that resulted in him being arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing while partying in Fayetteville, Ark., early Saturday.

“With a heavy heart and many more emotions than just one ... I sincerely apologize for my actions,” he wrote on Twitter.

ALABAMA: Chris Weinke, the 2000 Heisman Trophy winner while at Florida State, has joined the Crimson Tide as an offensive analyst. Florida State and Alabama meet on Sept. 2 in Atlanta to open the 2017 season.