New Mexico State again goes for its first win of the season on Saturday when it welcomes winless San Diego State to Las Cruces.
The Aggies and Aztecs last met in 2010, with San Diego State winning 41-21. The Aztecs lead the all-time series between the two schools 8-1-1. The Aggies' only win came in 1955, a 26-6 victory in Las Cruces.
San Diego State is wrapping up a difficult nonconference schedule that also included games against Ohio State, Eastern Illinois and Oregon State and New Mexico State. The Aztecs enter the weekend 0-3.
The Aztecs’ are averaging 348.3 yards of total offense per game in their first three contests while giving up 451.7 total yards.
Individually, San Diego State is led by quarterbacks Quinn Kaehler and Adam Dingwell. Dingwell has thrown for 318 yards and no touchdown passes, while Kaehler has recorded 467 yards and three scores. Adam Muema leads the running backs with 93 yards on the ground, averaging 2.3 yards per carry, Colin Lockett leads the team in receiving with 19 catches for 269 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Nat Berhe leads the defense with 22 tackles, followed by King Holder with 19.
For NMSU, running back Brandon Betancourt is coming off an impressive performance in his first career start, as he rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries and scoring on a
4-yard touchdown run in last week's loss to UCLA. It was Betancourt's second rushing TD of the season, and the sophomore now has 132 yards while averaging
3.6 per carry.
It is unclear who will start for the Aggies at quarterback. Freshman King Davis III also made his first start of the season last week, but after going 6 for 13 with an interception, he was replaced by senior Andrew McDonald, who went 9 for 13 for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver Joshua Bowen leads NMSU in receptions and receiving
yards this season, racking up 18 catches for 177 yards and a scores through four games. Bowen has recorded at least two receptions in every games.
Defensively, the Aggies have struggled overall but have been led by safety Davis Cazares, who had a career
night in the loss to UCLA. Cazares recorded 14 tackles, including a game-high 10 solo stops,
while adding two interceptions and a fumble recovery en route to FBS independent defensive player of the week honors. The double-digit tackle
effort was his third of the season and ninth of his career.
On the season, Cazares has a team-best 48 tackles, a tackle for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He ranks fourth in the nation in total tackles and
fifth in solo tackles.
The Aggies have forced at least one turnover in every game so far this season and have recorded nine in all, with six interceptions and three fumble
recoveries.
