Ags look to break through on road
NMSU ends season at S. Alabama today
The New Mexico State University football team has had more questions than answers in 2016.
The list starts with what’s been a weekly list of injured and “questionable” players, but it certainly doesn’t end there. Going into today’s season finale at South Alabama, the Aggies still are trying to figure out how to play well on the road.
Coach Doug Martin is at a loss to explain the disparity between NMSU’s performances at home and away. The Aggies went 3-2 at Aggie Memorial Stadium this season and played competitively in all but one game — last week’s 37-7 loss to Appalachian State when starting quarterback Tyler Rogers sat out with an injury.
On the road, NMSU is 0-6 and has been outscored 300-125.
“I don’t understand it,” Martin said. “We’re one of the few teams in the country that doesn’t stay in a hotel the night before home games, but we seem to show up ready to play. On the road, everyone’s together and there are no distractions, but we haven’t shown up. Maybe I should start making the players sleep on the bus for road games.”
New Mexico State (3-8, 2-5 Sun Belt Conference) will line up against another mystery club in South Alabama (5-6, 1-6) today in Mobile, Ala. The Jaguars posted two of the Sun Belt’s most impressive wins this season, beating Mississippi State and then-nationally ranked San Diego State, but they’ve struggled mightily in conference play.
“They play great defense and have a lot of team speed,” Martin said, “but their offense took a while to find its stride.”
How Martin’s team will attack USA’s defense may depend on whether Rogers is able to play. The junior suffered a torn muscle in his right (throwing) elbow during practice last week and Martin called him “very questionable” for today.
NMSU’s offense has been one of the Sun Belt’s most productive with Rogers at the helm, but his backups are a bit more one-dimensional. Sophomore Nick Jeanty is the better passer but is less mobile, while junior Conner Cramer, a Mobile native, is better running than passing.
One thing the Aggies will not do today is attempt to run right at the Jaguars’ defense.
“Mississippi State and San Diego State tried to pound it right at them,” Martin said. “They couldn’t do it. We have to see if we can throw the ball and loosen things up.”
New Mexico State’s defense must gear up to stop a grinding, run-first USA offense. The Jaguars prefer a smash-mouth approach, but quarterback Dallas Davis is effective using play-action passes when opponents become too run-conscious.
USA has more at stake today with an opportunity to become bowl eligible. The Jaguars were listed as 13½-point favorites Friday.
Nonetheless, Martin expects his team to be motivated.
“We’ve improved in a lot of areas this season,” Martin said, “not to the extent we wanted, but going out with a win, especially on the road, would be big going forward.”