NMSU Goes in As 31-Point Underdog

Mid-October has largely amounted to an Aggie film festival for the New Mexico State University football team.

With a bye on its schedule last Saturday, coach DeWayne Walker’s team spent much of its two-week break breaking down Aggie game video – its own and that of today’s foe, the Utah State Aggies.

NMSU returns to action today facing a tough road assignment in Logan, Utah. Losers of five straight games, New Mexico State (1-5, 0-2 Western Athletic Conference) faces a Utah State team that’s been rolling. The UtAgs (5-2, 1-0), who are 31-point favorites, can become bowl eligible with a victory.

The video, Walker said, doesn’t lie.

“We’ve got our hands full against this football team,” he said. “They’re stout up front, their quarterback (sophomore Chuckie Keeton) has really improved and No. 25 (senior running back Kerwynn Williams) is very explosive. You can’t help but be impressed with that offense.”

Utah State racked up 49 points last week in a one-sided win over San Jose State. That outcome forced Aggie defenders to take notice.

“This is one of those games where we really have to work on filling our gaps and being consistent,” junior lineman Kalvin Cruz said. “One mistake and (Williams) can gash you for 80 yards.”

NMSU has also seen firsthand how Williams can change a game. In 2010 he had two long kickoff returns against the Aggies, including a 92-yarder for a touchdown, as the UtAgs pulled out a 27-22 victory in Logan.

“He basically broke our backs,” Walker said.

Slowing Williams is job one for the Aggies today. He’s averaging 6 yards per carry, has caught 27 passes for an average of 12.3 yards and has scored eight touchdowns this season.

But Walker believes an effective defense requires his team to improve on offense. His Aggies have averaged just 15.3 points in their past three games and have been plagued by turnovers and sacks.

Those three game videos have not been pleasurable to watch.

“We’ve been beating ourselves,” Walker said. “Not taking care of the football, muffing punts. Those are things we’ve emphasized (during the bye week). We absolutely have to clean those things up.”

Quarterback Andrew Manley went so far as to create a video compilation of personal horror clips.

“I put film of my six interceptions together,” Manley said. “I studied what happened with each one, and I think I’ll do a better job reading defenses going forward.”

Unfortunately for Manley and the Aggie offense, video of Utah State’s defense has been equally frightening to watch. The UtAgs attack quarterbacks with uncommon zeal, having registered 27 sacks. They rank third nationally in that department.

Manley, who has been harassed frequently on drop-backs this season, knows he’ll be in the cross hairs today.

“(Utah State’s) D-line is good,” he said. “They get to the quarterback, and they bring outside linebackers, so you don’t always know where the pressure’s coming from. I have to get rid of the ball fast.”

Walker hopes to give Manley some help with an effective rushing attack. Junior Germi Morrison has been elevated to feature-back status and will have an extended chance to show his abilities today.

“It’s pretty evident Morrison has stepped up,” Walker said. “It’s his ball now, and we have to help get him going.”

In addition to video study, the Aggies used their extra practice time to install a few new plays for today’s matchup. But wide receiver Kemonté Bateman believes team meetings during the bye week may have been as important as video study or practice time.

“Everyone has to be all-in,” Bateman said. “If even one person doubts himself, it can mess up the whole team. That’s kind of been our mentality: We’ve just got to get after it.”

Added Manley: “We have to keep fighting, that’s the main thing.”

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