Aggies switch QBs after 0-4 start
NMSU will try to right ship with redshirt freshman on Saturday against UTEP
LAS CRUCES — New Mexico State football coach Doug Martin gave Matt Romero four starts at quarterback.
The Aggies are 0-4 and have struggled to move the ball, take care of it and put points on the board. Following last week’s 42-25 loss to New Mexico, Martin named redshirt freshman Josh Adkins the starter for Saturday’s rivalry game at UTEP in El Paso.
After losing several key players from last year’s offense, Martin and the team knew the offense would need time to improve.
“I told everyone that the hardest thing to replace was going to be the quarterback,” coach Doug Martin said. “I think our team got energized when [Adkins] went into the game, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Adkins seems to have the support from his teammates, as well.
“Anyone who watched [Adkins] on the sideline against UNM, you could see the fire in his eyes,” Aggies senior center Jamin Smith said. “I think that can help motivate some of the guys and it brings a spark that we have been lacking because some of the guys just haven’t known how to respond in
tough situations.”
While it remains to be seen if the Aggies offense can improve upon their 13.8 points per game (No. 126 in FBS) and 263.5 total yards per game (No. 126 in FBS), Adkins does have some leadership qualities.
Adkins led the Aggies on a scoring drive against New Mexico that closed the Aggies to within 10 points with 11 minutes to play. On the two-point try,
Adkins dropped back, but didn’t have an open receiver so he ran for the goalline, breaking a tackle along the way.
“Josh is a great player and coach Martin always finds a way to put whoever is playing quarterback in the right position,” Aggies linebacker Javahn Fergurson said. “I feel that Josh has that motor where he is going to make
some plays because he wants to and sometimes that is what you need.”
Romero is completing 55 percent of his passes for 609 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions. Redshirt senior Nick Jeanty is 3 of 13 for 10 yards with an interception in a backup role, prompting Martin to try Adkins. Adkins was 12 of 21 for 168 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the second half against the University of New Mexico last week.
Romero will be the primary backup, Martin said.
The Aggies have worked with quarterbacks in the past three seasons to check the offense into a different play, based on the defensive alignment.
“The quarterback for us has to be able to read defenses and throw the ball down the field and know when he’s protected,” Martin said. “He has to have a good understanding of the game. It takes some time and it’s one of the things that [Romero] has struggled with and [Jeanty] has struggled with.”