The New Mexico State Aggies take on the Boise State Broncos Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos come into the game ranked No. 6 in both the AP and the USA Today Coaches Polls. They are also ranked No. 6 in the BCS standings. Boise State holds a 12-0 (7-0 WAC) record, while the Aggies are 3-9 (1-6 WAC) overall. This will be the tenth meeting between the two schools with the Broncos are leading the series, 9-0.
The game will be televised live on Comcast (Ch. 4), El Paso (Ch. 24), Albuquerque (Ch. 77), Santa Fe (Ch. 21) and Gallup (Ch. 66).
You can listen to all the action with the 'Voice of the Aggies' Jack Nixon and color analyst Mike Mitchell beginning at noon on KRGT 104 FM. Also catch the action in Spanish with Martin Cortez and Bob Sherman on Vista 98.7 FM.
Aggies and Broncos Series
The Aggies and Broncos have faced off nine different times with Boise State winning all nine games. The two schools were Big West Conference foes from 1997 to 2000 before the Aggies moved to the Sun Belt and the Broncos to the WAC. The first game between the two schools came back in 1996 as the Broncos pulled out a one-point, 33-32 victory in Las Cruces. This will be the fifth game these two teams have played in Boise, as the Broncos have outscored the Aggies by an average of 42.2 points a game.
The last Aggies have been outscored 114-6 in their last two trips to Boise, Idaho and have not scored a single point in the last two meetings of the series.
Scouting the Broncos
The Broncos have put together another undefeated season at 12-0 going into Saturday's game with the Aggies. The Broncos have had three undefeated regular seasons in the last six years. Boise State is currently riding a 25 game win streak at home, dating back to 2001.
The Broncos are averaging 44.3 points per game, while holding their opponents to just 18.6 points a contest. As an offense, Boise State is putting up 453.6 yards on its opponents this season, while allowing just 308.7 yards. The Broncos are giving up 183.1 yards a game through the air, which is first in the WAC.
Individually for Boise State, running back Jeremy Avery is rushing for 87.1 yards per game and five touchdowns on the season. Doug Martin has rushed for a team leading 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Kellen Moore is averaging 254.4 yards a game through the air while completing 64.9 percent of his pass attempts and has thrown for 38 touchdowns. Wide receiver Titus Young leads the team with 64 receptions for 877 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Jeron Johnson leads the way with 80 tackles on the season.
Last Time Against Boise State in Boise, Idaho
The New Mexico State football team fell to Boise State in its WAC opener, 58-0 at Bronco Stadium, Oct. 7, 2007.
Aggie quarterback Chase Holbrook played the entire first quarter, completing 4-of-8 passes for 32 yards and one interception. He exited the game following the opening quarter because of a plaguing injury he suffered a week before against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He was replaced by freshman J.J. McDermott.
The Aggie offense struggled all evening to get anything going and it finished with just seven first downs in the game. New Mexico State had only 89 yards of total offense on 54 plays compared to Boise State's 604 yards on 79 plays.
McDermott completed 10-of-19 passes for 57 yards and two interceptions. Junior wide receiver Chris Williams led the Aggies with four receptions for 32 yards. He was one of eight Aggies with a reception.
Senior wide receiver Brandon Allen caught two balls for 14 yards, extending his nation-leading consecutive games with a catch streak to 37.
Boise State scored on its first three drives of the game; all three of the scores came on Taylor Tharp touchdown passes. The first two were for nine and 25 yards, both to Jeremy Childs, to open the game.
The Broncos made it 21-0 with less than three minutes left in the first quarter on a 50-yard touchdown pass to Titus Young.
The first play of the second quarter had the Aggies backed up on their own two-yard line on fourth and long. Aggie receiver Wes Neiman took the direct snap and passed it to running back Jeremiah Williams for a 19-yard gain.
It was NMSU's second successful fake punt for a first down on as many tries. McDermott replaced Holbrook on the next play and he completed his first pass attempt to receiver Chris Williams for an eight-yard gain.
Boise State would add one more touchdown before the half was over, a six-yard run by Ian Johnson to make it 35-0 going into the locker room.
Senior receiver Derek Dubois returned the kickoff at the start of the third quarter 47 yards, but the Bronco defense held strong and the Aggies were unable to take advantage their field position.
Boise State added 10 more points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth.
Against the Broncos in 2008
Kellen Moore threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, and Boise State's defense allowed just 150 yards and logged six sacks as the No. 11 Broncos beat New Mexico State.
Boise State beat the Aggies 58-0 last season in Idaho and, after generating 495 total yards this time, simply kept things going a year later.
Ian Johnson and Jeremy Avery took turns ripping off long runs, each scoring a TD, as the Broncos kept the chain crew huffing and puffing all night. Kyle Wilson had a 71-yard punt return for a TD.
The Aggies were overmatched from the start.
Fils Continues to put Pressure on Opposing QB's
Defensive lineman Pierre Fils' 2009 season has been one to remember. Fils has been putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the first snap of the season. Fils has tallied seven sacks on the year, the most by an Aggie in a single-season since 1992. (Norman Steele, 8.5)
Against San Jose State, Fils recorded that seventh sack, as well as eight tackles and two tackles-for-a-loss. His eight tackles was a career-high.
On the season, Fils has 49 tackles, seven sacks and a fumble recovery. He ranks fourth in the WAC in sacks per game and ranks 72nd in the nation. For his career, Fils has tallied 61 tackles.
Savage a Monster on the Line
Donte Savage had a monster game against San Jose State, with a career-high eight tackles, a sack, a tackle-for-a-loss and a fumble recovery.
Savage has recorded six sacks on the season, 52 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two force fumbles.
Over the last three games, Savage has 15 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two sacks. For his career, Savage has recorded 63 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-a-loss, eight sacks and a punt block.
Hatchett Gets another Double Digit
Free safety Stephon Hatchett has been a consistent playmaker for the Aggie defense all season. Hatchett is third on the team in tackles with 86, while he also has a tackle for a loss, an interception return for 32 yards, eight pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Against Nevada, Hatchett tied a career-high 13 tackles. This season, Hatchett has recorded at least five tackles in 10 of the 12 games this season. His previous high was 13 against LA Tech. He recorded his second double digit tackle game versus San Jose State with 12, which was a game-high.
For his career, Hatchett has tallied 105 tackles.
Smith Gets Fourth 100-Yard Game
After earning the starting job on week two of the season, Seth Smith hasn't looked back. Over the course of the season, Smith has rushed for 902 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He is also averaging 75.2 yards a game and 18 carries a game.
Smith is currently 62nd in the nation and eighth in the WAC in rushing yards per game. Against San Jose State, Smith rushed for his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the year and became just the sixth player since 1974 to record over 900 yards in a season.
Versus Utah State, Smith recorded his fourth game with at least 95 yards, as he ran for 98. He also recorded his first career touchdown run with a 1-yard scamper, late in the third quarter. Against San Diego State, Smith tallied 89 yards on the ground. Versus New Mexico, Smith tallied 113 yards on the ground for the Aggies, recording his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. Smith became the second Aggie running back since 2005 to record two 100-yard rushing games in a single season. The last running back to record more than two 100-yard rushing games in a single season was Justine Buries, who tallied four in 2005.
Against UTEP, Smith carried the ball for 13 times for 99 yards, averaging 7.6 yards a carry. Versus Prairie View A&M, Smith ran the ball for 150 yards on 25 carries. It was the first time since 2003 that an Aggie had rushed for 150 yards or more.
Allen Comes Alive
After starting the season with five catches for 82 yards in the first two games, he would record 15 catches for 161 yards over the next nine contests. Against Nevada, wide receiver Marcus Allen came alive.
Allen grabbed five passes for 52 yards against the Wolf Pack, including two touchdown passes. The 14-yard pass from Jeff Fleming in the fourth quarter was Allen's first career touchdown reception. The second touchdown catch came with 17 seconds left in the game, and an 11-yard pass from Fleming as well.
On the season, Allen has caught 23 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He leads the Aggies in two of the three categories. Allen also leads the team in yards per catch with 11.7.
Allen has also been on fire as a kick returner, averaging 22.8 yards a return over the last three games.
House Breaks Record
Defensive back Davon House has been in the right place at the right time. Versus Hawai'i, House picked off his third interception of the season, returning it for 58 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown was the third of his career, and the second interception return for a touchdown.
With the 58-yard return, House broke the school record for interception return yardage held for 28 years by James Ferebee (78-81). House now has 271 interception return yards to his name.
Against LA Tech, House picked up a fumble late in the game and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. It was House's first career fumble return for a touchdown and second touchdown of his career.
The first touchdown of his career came back in 2007 when he intercepted a pass against Idaho and returned it for a school record 100 yards. House had two interceptions in that game for 164 return yards, which was also a school single-game record. House tallied 171 interception return yards in 2007, also a school record for a season.
With his fumble return for a touchdown and two interception returns for a touchdown, House becomes the first Aggie player to do both during his career since Gary Jessie accomplished this feat back in the mid-1990's.
House also has proven to be in the right place at the right time for interceptions in his career. He has nine to his name, which ranks him ninth all-time at NM State. He has three interceptions this season.
Buckner Records a Pair of Firsts
Defensive back Chris Buckner recorded two firsts against San Jose State with his first career sack and his first career interceptions, in a game that he tallied three tackles as well.
Buckner had a break out night against Hawai'i, recording a career-high 16 tackles, all unassisted. This was Buckner's first career double digit tackle game. In fact, the highest number of tackles Buckner has every recorded in a game is four against Idaho in the season opener.
On the season, Buckner has 40 tackles, four pass break-ups and a fumble recovery. For his career, Buckner has tallied 45 tackles in two seasons on defense.
Fleming to Start Remainder of Games
Head Coach DeWayne Walker announced that sophomore quarterback Jeff Fleming will remain the Aggies' starter for the rest of the 2009 season. Fleming is a quarterback who can make things happen with his arm and his legs.
Fleming has passed for 753 yards this season and four touchdowns, completing 50.9 percent of his passes. He has also recorded 248 yards on the ground, as well as three rushing touchdowns.
Blocked Punts and Field Goals in a Season
The Aggie punt return team has shined this season, averaging 10.8 yards a return, ranking 41st in the nation and fifth in the WAC. Punt returner Marcus Anderson leads the WAC and is 23rd in the nation in punt return average.
The Aggie punt return team also has recorded two blocked punts this year, one by Donte Savage and the other by B.J. Adolpho. Against San Jose State, Jason Scott blocked the Aggies' first field goal of the season. It was the first blocked field goal for the Aggies since Sept. 22, 2007 at Auburn. Mark Pole blocked a 41-yard field goal attempt.
The last time an Aggie team has blocked two punts in a single season was in 1992. The last time an Aggie team recorded a single blocked punt in a season was in 1999 against New Mexico.
Scott Shows Knack for the Ball
Linebacker Jason Scott has tallied double-number tackles in four of the last seven weeks, with a career-high 15 against Ohio State and LA Tech. Scott also recorded two tackles for a loss.
He tied a career-high 14 tackles against Utah State, including a pass break-up, to help the Aggies get their first WAC win this season. On the season, Scott leads the team in tackles with 100. He also has three pass break-ups on the year. He now has 100 tackles on the season, becoming the fourth Aggie player in the last five years to accomplish that feat.
He also recorded his first career field goal block, blocking a 42-yard field goal attempt. This was the first block for the Aggies on a field goal since 2007.
For his career, Scott has 184 tackles and two sacks. He is now fifth in the WAC in tackles per game (8.3).
NM State Offensive Line showing Consistencies
The New Mexico State offensive line has been solid in the first six games of the season. The Aggies have allowed just 22 sacks and is a big part of the Aggies 141.5 rushing yards per game. Below is a breakdown on each player along the offensive line.
Mike Grady - Grady has two of the top three performance grades on the year against Idaho and Prairie View A&M...He's tallied just three penalties in six games and has not allowed a sack...Grady has 55 knockdowns on the season, including a season-high eight against New Mexico and Utah State. Grady also recorded a perfect assignment rating against Fresno State.
Joe Palmer - Palmer has tallied 56 knockdowns on the season with a season-high and team leading 10 against New Mexico and Utah State...He has recorded the highest performance grade of the year, a 75% against Prairie View...He has allowed no sacks in 187 pass attempts. He also had a perfect assignment rating against Utah State and Fresno State
Sieoli Fakalata - Fakalata has graded out with the second most knockdowns so far this season with 62...He has allowed two sacks this season ... Fakalata had a near perfect assignment performance against UTEP... Fakalata also tallied the highest effort rating on the team against Fresno State.
Dwayne Barton - Barton has 41 knockdowns on the season, including a season-high 10 against San Jose State.
David Norman - Norman played in just the first two games for the Aggies before a knee injury sidelined him...In two games, Norman tallied four knockdowns, allowed no sacks and committed just one penalty. He came back against San Diego State and has tallied six knockdowns and no sacks in the last three games....Norman recorded the highest graded out against Fresno State.
Joe Suder - Suder took over for Norman in the Aggies' third game...In two games Suder had given up two sacks and tallied four knockdowns.
Glynn Continues to put up the Numbers
Over the last four years, Tonny Glynn has been known for his running back skills, but lately, Glynn has been displaying another quality as a kick returner. Against UTEP, Glynn had a monster night, recording 134 yards on six kick returns, with a career-long of 44 yards. Glynn has run the ball for 30 yards on nine carries. He followed that with another solid game against New Mexico, where he tallied 106 yards in return yardage, including a 40-yard run back. Versus San Diego State, Glynn tallied his third straight game with over 100 return yards (140).
Glynn has 692 kick return yards this season, averaging 21.6 yards a return, good for seventh in the conference. His 692 yards is fourth all-time for a single-season and his 32 returns ranks second all-time for a single-season. Glynn needs just 78 return yards and two return attempts to break both single-season records, set by Bryan Love in 1988.
For his career, Glynn has 860 kick return yards, averaging 19.5 yards a kick. He has also rushed for 1,039 yards and five touchdowns, while catching 45 passes for 303 yards and a touchdown. Glynn tallied 2,202 all-purpose yards in his career as well.
Hughes Taken all the Kicks
Aggie kicker Kyle Hughes continues to kick well for the Aggies in all areas of the game. Against New Mexico, Hughes booted two field goals of 40 and 42 yards, averaged 53.4 yards on five punts, downing two inside the Lobos' 20-yard line and tallied three touchbacks on five kickoff efforts. He was also named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.
Hughes is seventh in the WAC in field goal percentage and his one PAT against San Jose State pushed his streak of consecutive PAT's made to 46.
On the season, Hughes has made 13-of-13 PAT's, is 9-of-14 on field goal attempts with a long of 42 and is averaging 42.4 yards a punt. He has recorded 16 punts this season of 50-plus yards. Hughes was named an honorable mention kick off specialist and punt specialist by College Football Performance Awards (9/26) & (10/10).
For his career, Hughes is averaging 42.1 yards per punt, has hit 16-of-25 field goal attempts and is a perfect 46-of-46 on PAT attempts.
Hughes has also been named to the College Football Performance Awards Trophy Favorites for kick off specialists.
Courtesy: New Mexico State University
