A year removed from its first winning season since 2002, New Mexico State stumbled to its third 3-9 season in the past four years. Attrition hit the Aggies hard, forcing the team to rely on unproven talent.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 126: New Mexico State
Coach: Doug Martin (20-53, entering seventh season; 49-106 overall)
2018 record: 3-9, Independent
Look back: New Mexico State soared to new heights in 2017 with the program’s first winning season since 2002, including an impressive win over Utah State in the school’s fourth bowl game appearance. But New Mexico State took a big step back in 2018 after losing its top passer, rusher, receiver and tackler in the offseason. The team lost nine games for the fifth time in the six seasons under Martin.
Offensive starters returning: 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive starters returning: 6
Defensive starters lost: 5
Key losses: OL Jamin Smith, OL Isaac McClain, WR Johnathan Boone, DB Demarcus Owns, DB Ron LaForce, LB Terrill Hanks, LB Jonathan Hood
Top returnees: QB Josh Adkins, RB Jason Huntley, WR Drew Dan, WR OJ Clark, OL Sage Doxtater, OL Brian Trujillo, OL Tony Bello, DL Roy Lopez, DL Cedric Wilcotts II, LB Javahn Fergurson
Strengths: New Mexico State is coming off its worst offensive season under Martin, with the Aggies ranked No. 96 in the country in total offense (4,446 yards).
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Adkins impressed the coaching staff enough to be promoted to starter five games into last season. The move paid off as Adkins provided a second-half spark for the offense, finishing with 2,563 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
New Mexico State will be able to count on tailback Jason Huntley, who became the seventh Aggie to account for at least 1,500 all-purpose yards since 2000 when he earned 1,632 yards last season. He finished second on the team in rushing (505) and receiving (529) yards.
The offensive line allowed more than 40 sacks for the first time since 2012. Center Jamin Smith and guard Isaac McClain moved on, but Brian Trujillo and Sage Doxtater should provide veteran leadership for the group.
Weaknesses: Despite losing leading tackler Dalton Herrington to graduation, New Mexico State’s defense appeared flush in experience with nine starters returning in 2018. Yet the group struggled, especially during the second half of the year, and finished near the bottom of the nation in total defense after allowing more than 475 yards per game last season.
Linebacker Javahn Fergurson, who was one of the few bright spots on the team after registering a team-high 132 tackles, will have his work cut out for him following the departure of linebackers Terrill Hanks and Lui Fa’amasino. Junior safety Shamad Lomax anchors a secondary dealing with the loss of DeMarcus Owens and Ron LaForce.
Outlook: New Mexico State ranks next-to-last in the country in wins (30) during the past decade, slightly ahead of Kansas (23). The program is hoping to bounce back and match the season the Aggies had in 2017. The team returns a more experienced lineup, including the top passer, rusher and tackler from last season. However, the schedule features tough games, including matchups against Washington State and Alabama, and it may be challenging to earn wins.
2019 schedule
Aug. 31 at Washington State
Sept. 7 at Alabama
Sept. 14 San Diego State
Sept. 21 at New Mexico
Sept. 28 Fresno State
Oct. 5 Liberty
Oct. 21 at Central Michigan
Oct. 26 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 9 at Ole Miss
Nov. 16 UIW
Nov. 23 UTEP
Nov. 30 at Liberty
Previously on the countdown:
