New Mexico State Aggies Football

The New Mexico State Aggies football team, representing New Mexico State University in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), competes in Conference USA. Headed by Coach Jerry Kill in his second season with a 10–9 record, the team plays its home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico, boasting a capacity of 30,343. Established in 1893, the Aggies have a storied history, participating in various conferences over the years, including the Border, MVC, Big West, Sun Belt, and WAC. With an all-time record of 440–664–30, the team has clinched four conference titles (1938, 1960, 1976, 1978) and holds a notable bowl record of 4–0–1. The crimson and white-clad Aggies maintain fierce rivalries with New Mexico and UTEP. The team's marching band, known as "The PRIDE" of New Mexico, adds to the vibrant Aggies spirit.NMStatesports.com serves as the official website for the New Mexico State Aggies.

New Mexico State Aggies Football History

The New Mexico State Aggies football program, tracing its roots back to 1893, has experienced a rich yet tumultuous history. Under early coaches like Clarence Russell and Dutch Bergman, the Aggies showed promise, with notable achievements like an undefeated 1923 season.

The Warren B. Woodson Era (1958–1967) marked a pinnacle, featuring the only perfect season in school history in 1960. However, Woodson's forced departure led to a challenging post-era, earning the unfortunate moniker "Woodson Curse." Subsequent coaches, including Mike Knoll, Jim Hess, and Tony Samuel, faced struggles, with intermittent successes like a winning season in 1992.

The Hal Mumme era (2005–2008) introduced the "Air Raid" offense, but the team continued to struggle. The Doug Martin era (2013–2021) brought a historic bowl appearance in 2017, breaking a 57-year drought. Currently, under Jerry Kill since 2021, the Aggies have shown promise with a turnaround in the 2022 season, finishing with a 6-6 record and a victory in the Quick Lane Bowl

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New Mexico State Aggies Football Coach

Formerly the head coach at Minnesota, Jerry Kill assumed leadership in 2021, signing a five-year contract. Overcoming a challenging 2022 start, Kill orchestrated a notable turnaround, guiding the team to a 6-6 record and securing victory in the Quick Lane Bowl. His seasoned coaching, marked by adaptability and resilience, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Aggies' football program.

New Mexico State Aggies Football Stadium: Aggie Memorial Stadium

Aggie Memorial Stadium, situated on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, has been the home field for the New Mexico State Aggies football team since its opening in 1978. Constructed at a cost of $4 million, the stadium's unique design by alumnus Craig Protz features a street-level concourse dividing the lower and upper bowls, with excavated earth supporting the upper level. The inaugural game in 1978 witnessed the Aggies triumph over Texas–El Paso (UTEP), and the stadium's largest attendance of 32,993 occurred two decades later in a victorious rematch against UTEP.

Originally equipped with natural grass, the playing field transitioned to UBU Sports Speed S5-M synthetic turf in 2014. The stadium's lighting capacity was augmented, and a significant $1.5 million scoreboard, complete with a sizable video screen, was added in 2007. Subsequent enhancements include the introduction of Club 27 in 2015, offering 92 club-level seats. With a current seating capacity of 28,853, Aggie Memorial Stadium stands as a symbol of the Aggies' gridiron legacy and a dynamic venue for college football.

New Mexico State Aggies Football Rivals

New Mexico State University's football team engages in two notable rivalries that have shaped the team's history—the Rio Grande Rivalry with in-state adversary New Mexico and the Battle of I-10 against UTEP. The Rio Grande Rivalry dates back to 1894, with historical competitiveness until 1937.

While the Lobos have since dominated the series, the matchup remains spirited, highlighted by the Aggies' recent victory in 2023. In the Battle of I-10, UTEP initially held a series lead due to dominance in the 1920s–1960s, but recent contests have seen more balance. The annual clash includes the exchange of two traveling trophies—the Silver Spade and the Mayor's Cup (Brass Spittoon).

Despite interruptions, this rivalry has endured since the teams' first meeting in 1914. The dynamic history, close proximity, and the exchange of iconic trophies contribute to the intensity of these longstanding rivalries, making each matchup a crucial and celebrated event in the Aggies' football calendar.

New Mexico State Aggies Football Record and Stats

Championship Conferences

The New Mexico State Aggies football program boasts a storied history with notable achievements in various conferences. In 1938, under the guidance of Coach Jerry Hines, the Aggies secured the Border Conference championship with an impressive 7–2 overall record, including a 4–1 performance in conference play.

Two decades later, in 1960, Coach Warren B. Woodson led the team to another Border Conference title, concluding an outstanding 11–0 season with a flawless 4–0 conference record. The Aggies demonstrated their prowess in the Missouri Valley Conference by clinching championships in 1976, under Coach Jim Bradley, and in 1978, led by Coach Gil Krueger, with respective conference records of 2–1–1 and 5–1.

Division Championships

While the Aggies have not secured specific division championships in recent years, their historical successes in conference play underscore their competitiveness and resilience on the football field.

Conference Championship Game Appearances

The New Mexico State Aggies football program has showcased its caliber by making appearances in conference championship games, reflecting a tradition of excellence and competitiveness that continues to define their legacy in collegiate football.

New Mexico State Aggies FootballRoaster

New Mexico State Aggies Football Schedule