This story has been updated to reflect NMSU’s correct overall record of 10-5.
After achieving double-digit wins for the first time since 1960, New Mexico State looks to continue its success in 2024.
The Aggies finished 10-5 last season, losing their final two games to Liberty in the Conference USA Championship Game and Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. The Aggies spent much of the following offseason restructuring, as former coach Jerry Kill and 19 players, including starting quarterback Diego Pavia, left the team after the 2023 season.
New coach Tony Sanchez replaced Kill after spending the last two seasons as his wide receivers coach. It is Sanchez’s second time leading a program after compiling a 20-40 record in five seasons as UNLV’s coach from 2015-19. He will look to lead NMSU back to the CUSA title game in his second year in the conference and to three consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in program history.
Here’s a look at NMSU’s 2024 schedule:
*Denotes a Conference USA game
against Southeast Missouri State
Date, time and channel: August 31, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Aggies open with a home game against FCS Southeast Missouri State of the Big South-OVC Association. The Redhawks finished 4-7 last season and reached the FCS playoffs in 2022, where they lost to Montana in the first round.
against Liberty*
Date, time and channel: September 7, 8:15 p.m., ESPN2
NMSU opens C-USA play early against Liberty, who it has lost to twice in 2023. Liberty took its 13-0 record into the New Year’s Six Bowl after earning its second victory over the Aggies last season following a 45-6 loss to No. 8 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
at Fresno State
Date, time and channel: September 14, TBA
The Aggies’ first road test is a non-conference game against Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference in a rematch of last year’s New Mexico Bowl. NMSU has an overall record of 1-19 against FSU, with its only win coming in 2011.
at Sam Houston*
Date, time and channel: September 21, 5 p.m., ESPN Networks
NMSU chooses to play C-USA play again against the Bearkats, who finished 3-9 last season. The Aggies defeated Sam Houston 27-13 in their first-ever meeting with the Bearkats in 2023 and will travel to Huntsville for the first time this season.
against New Mexico
Date, time and channel: September 28, 6 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies return to nonconference play with their annual Rio Grande Rivalry game against New Mexico, which finished 4-8 last season. NMSU is seeking its third straight win against its in-state rival, following 21-9 and 27-17 victories in 2021 and 2022.
More: The time has finally come! Check out the football schedule for the 2024 season in the Greater Las Cruces area.
at Jacksonville State*
Date, time and channel: October 9, 5:30 p.m., ESPN2
NMSU begins a series of four C-USA games and a series of three weekday games on the road against the Gamecocks. The Aggies first played JSU last season, winning 20-17 on a walk-off field goal by former NMSU kicker Ethan Albertson. The Gamecocks finished the 2023 season 9-4 after defeating Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl.
against Louisiana Tech*
Date, time and channel: October 15, 7 p.m., ESPNU
The Aggies return home Tuesday night to face Louisiana Tech, which finished 3-9 last season. NMSU ended its six-game losing streak against the Bulldogs, dating back to 2007, with a 27-24 win last season.
at Florida International*
Date, time and channel: October 29, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network
NMSU is coming off a week off and plays on the road against FIU, who finished 4-8 last season. The Aggies will look to win back-to-back games against the Golden Panthers after earning a 34-17 win over FIU last season.
against Western Kentucky*
Date, time and channel: November 9, 4 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies are playing on a Saturday for the first time since September, when they hosted Western Kentucky for the first time. NMSU defeated the Hilltoppers 38-29 last season in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. WKU finished the year 8-5 after defeating Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
at Texas A&M
Date, time and channel: November 16, 5:45 p.m., SEC Network
NMSU will face Texas A&M in its final non-conference game, its 25th against an SEC team. The Aggies will be looking to pull off another upset after last season’s 31-10 road win over Auburn. Texas A&M went 7-6 last season after losing to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl and defeated NMSU 52-10 in the teams’ only meeting in 2016.
in Middle Tennessee
Date, Time and Channel: November 23, 12:30 p.m., ESPN Networks
The Aggies will play their final road game against Middle Tennessee in their first visit to Murfreesboro since 2003. NMSU is coming off a 13-7 win last season for its third straight win over the Blue Raiders. MTSU finished 4-8 last season.
against UTEP
Date, time and channel: November 30, 2 p.m., ESPN Networks
NMSU closes the regular season with the 101st edition of the Battle of I-10 against UTEP. The Aggies earned a convincing 28-7 victory last season over the Miners, who finished the year 3-9.
