New Mexico State sits at 1-2 and 0-1 in Conference USA play this season. The Aggies started 1-0 for the first time since 2014 after a 23-16 win over Southeast Missouri, but a close loss to a Liberty and a blowout one to Fresno State have put a damper on their ambitions.
NM State re-enters CUSA play this Saturday when it takes on Sam Houston at 5 p.m. this Saturday on the road. The Aggies defeated the Bearkats 27-13 last season and will take their first-ever trip to Huntsville this season.
There have been plenty of bright spots for the Aggies despite their losing record, with many of them being first-year transfers. However, there’s also room to improve for several players who share some of the blame for NM State’s two losses this season. With three games having gone by, Aggies coach Tony Sanchez may now have a good idea of who his top playmakers are and who he can rely on to win more.
See who’s been performing and who could be better here:
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RB Seth McGowan:McGowan has easily been NM State’s most productive and efficient offensive player this season. The junior currently leads the Aggies with 200 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry, and has scored three of NM State’s five touchdowns this season.
If the Aggies need to make a play, they lean on McGowan. Even in NM State’s loss to Fresno State, McGowan still had an outing with 47 rushing yards at 4.3 yards per carry. McGowan will need to continue making plays if the Aggies want to get back on track.
Safeties: NM State’s safety corps has been impressive this season and features contributions from returning and transfer players alike.
Sophomore and Arizona State transfer Josiah Cox is the Aggies’ highest-graded safety according to Pro Football Focus, and senior and Sam Houston transfer Da’Marcus Crosby ranks second amongst NM State players with 18 tackles. Junior and Oklahoma State transfer Nick Session has also performed well with six stops and one pass breakup, according to PFF.
Returning players include senior safety Dylan Early and redshirt sophomore Tayden Barnes, who have logged the most plays of the group. Barnes has been particularly impressive with three pass breakups, one interception and a team-high 19 tackles this season.
CB Dakerric Hobbs: Hobbs transferred from Sam Houston alongside Crosby and has become the Aggies’ best cornerback this season.
The senior is PFF’s highest-graded NM State cornerback this season and has recorded one pass breakup and three stops. When targeted, quarterbacks have a 57.1 passer rating against Crosby.
LB Sone Aupiu: Aupiu has done it all for the Aggies this season. The sophomore has recorded 15 total tackles and leads NM State with four pass breakups. Going forward, he’ll surely continue to play an important role on Aggies defensive coordinator Joe Wright’s defense.
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Quarterbacks: Quarterback play has been the biggest issue for NM State this season. Sophomore Parker Awad has started all three games this season, but has struggled mightily with a 14.1 quarterback rating this season. He’s thrown for 243 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
Deuce Hogan also failed to impress after throwing two interceptions against Fresno State, and suffered a broken collarbone against the Bulldogs that will end his season. Junior Santino Marucci and sophomore Jake McNamara are other options, but may not have a full grasp of Sanchez’s offense after only arriving in the summer. Sanchez says Marucci is slowly gaining a grasp of it, but is only the backup quarterback for now.
OTs Shamarr Jackson and Louie Canepa: Firstly, let’s give Shamarr Jackson some grace. The senior is a backup replacing All-CUSA senior Shiyazh Pete at left tackle, who’s missed every game so far with an ankle injury. Those are tough shoes to fill, especially when you’re protecting the quarterback’s blind spot.
However, it’s safe to say the Aggies need Pete back in a hurry. Jackson has allowed eight pressures and six hurries so far this season, according to PFF, and committed three penalties in NM State’s loss to Fresno State.
Canepa hasn’t replaced anyone but has struggled as the starting right tackle. He’s given up a sack in all three games and seven total pressures this season, according to PFF.
DE Kale Edwards: Edwards was one of NM State’s many incoming transfers after arriving from Montana, but hasn’t made the impact he’s hoped for yet.
The senior is still without a sack, has made just two solo tackles this season and didn’t make a solo tackle at all against Fresno State. With fellow defensive lineman Cole Schnettgoecke out for the season, the Aggies could use more production from him going forward.
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