Aggies now play role as favorites
Martin expects rival UTEP to play hard despite its struggles
LAS CRUCES — The football cleats are on the other foot for the New Mexico State Aggies this week.
After three straight weeks as underdogs, NMSU (1-2) will try its luck as a favorite when struggling I-10 rival UTEP (0-3) visits Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Various point spreads had the Aggies favored by margins ranging between 16 and 18 points on Monday.
It’s a lot of points to swallow, especially considering New Mexico State hasn’t defeated the Miners since 2008. Understandably, Aggies coach Doug Martin is not playing up the point spread.
“I can guarantee you UTEP is going to come in and play us tough,” Martin said. “All I know is, we haven’t beaten UTEP in eight years so that’s a big thorn in our side. We need to have an attitude about this game.”
Playing with a chip on their collective shoulder has served the Aggies relatively well thus far. They’re 3-0 against the point spread this season and played Pac-12 Arizona State and Sun Belt contender Troy to the wire before falling by six- and threepoint margins.
NMSU also claimed a 30-28 victory at rival New Mexico, which creates a significant opportunity this week. The Aggies haven’t defeated both UNM and UTEP in the same season since 2002 — which also was the last time they posted a winning record at 7-5.
“No one on this team has beaten UTEP,” NMSU linebacker
Dalton Herrington said. “We’ve got to find a way no matter what.”
Martin hopes his team’s competitive showing in a 27-24 loss to Troy — a program that routed NMSU 52-7 and 52-6 in its two previous meetings — will encourage fans to turn out the Aggies-Miners contest.
“I will promise the fans this,” he said, “when those Aggies run down that tunnel (Saturday), they will be hell on wheels. They are going to be ready to play.”
TIP OF THE CAP: Teammate Jaleel Scott received national attention for a remarkable one-handed catch against Arizona State, but Aggies wideout Izaiah Lottie has pulled in eye-catching touchdown receptions in back-to-back games.
Lottie tipped a ball to himself and raced 81 yards to score against UNM, but his third-quarter catch against Troy may have been even better.
NMSU quarterback Tyler Rogers spotted Lottie in a one-on-one situation after scrambling out of trouble and launched a high pass from midfield. Lottie first tipped the ball away from a waiting defensive back, then grabbed it during a dive into the end zone.
“My quarterback trusts me a lot and just puts the ball up there,” Lottie said. “I used to play basketball and I think it helps on balls like that. I just go get the rebound.”
Lottie ranks second nationally in yards per reception (27.86). He has seven catches overall and is tied with Scott for the team lead with four TDs.
“Lott’s becoming the tip guy around here,” Rogers said.
LOCKED IN: Martin also made a point to credit Rogers, who played impressively against Troy’s zone defensive scheme. The senior QB finished 32-for-45 passing for 331 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Tyler might have played his best game since he’s been here,” Martin said. “He made good decisions and put the ball where it had to be almost all night against a good defensive football team.”
Rogers got away with one poor decision when a Trojans defensive back dropped an easy interception in the third quarter. Rogers recovered quickly and went 5-for-6 for 49 yards on the rest of the possession, including a 5-yard scoring pass to Scott.