Utah State Aggies Set for Clash Against New Mexico Lobos

Utah State Aggies, coming off a challenging stretch, are preparing to face the New Mexico Lobos in a Mountain West Conference showdown this Saturday. The Aggies have struggled this season, currently holding a 1-5 overall record and suffering five consecutive losses following their opening win against Robert Morris. Notable teams they have faced include USC, Utah, and Boise State.

New Mexico Lobos, under first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, have shown improvement after a rocky 0-4 start. They have secured consecutive victories against New Mexico State and Air Force, scoring over 50 points in each game. Their offense has been effective, particularly in their ground attack, which has contributed greatly to their success.

Both teams will bring their dynamic offenses to the field, ranking among the top in the Mountain West for explosive plays. While New Mexico focuses on a strong running game, Utah State boasts a more balanced attack, with quarterback Spencer Petras regularly achieving 300-yard passing games complemented by running back Rahsul Faison’s consistent performances.

Defensively, both teams have struggled this season, often alternately ranking as the worst or second-worst in the conference across various statistical categories. This sets the scene for a potential high-scoring spectacle at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, with the game’s outcome likely contingent on which team can avoid costly offensive errors.

Head Coach Nate Dreiling of Utah State emphasized the need for defensive stops and turnover creation. “We know their offense has been rolling,” Dreiling stated. “We have to be able to get some stops and force turnovers to get our offense on the field and get some points.”

Meanwhile, Coach Mendenhall acknowledged the Aggies’ potent offensive capabilities. “Utah State has a great scheme and capable players. They score a lot of points and are capable of scoring a lot of points,” he noted.

The game is set to kick off at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, with New Mexico entering as slight favorites. The total points over-under is set at a high 78.5, reflecting expectations for a shootout between these two offensively gifted but defensively challenged teams.