By Lady Houston

NM STATE BOWL GAME NOTES

https://nmstatesports.com/documents/2023/12/12/GN15_-_Fresno_State__New_Mexico_Bowl_.pdf

 

Bowl appearance will mark sixth in NM State history and second under Head Coach Jerry Kill.

 

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State will look to end its season on the ultimate high note this Saturday as they head north to Albuquerque, N.M., to take on Fresno State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. A win over the Bulldogs would be the fifth bowl victory in program history.

Game Information
NM State (10-4, 7-1 CUSA) vs. Fresno State (8-4, 4-4 CUSA)
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
Time: 3:45 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN

• Clay Matvick (Play-by-Play)
• Rod Gilmore (Color Analyst)
• Lauren Sisler (Sideline)

Radio: The Aggie Radio Network, Powered by LEARFIELD

• Jack Nixon (PxP)
• Cory Lucas (Color Analyst)

PICK SIX
10 – For the second time in program history, NM State has tallied double digit wins, joining the 1960 team who finished the season 11-0 as the only other Aggie team to accomplish this feat.
6 – Saturday’s participation in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl will be the Aggies’ sixth bowl game in program history and second under Head Coach Jerry Kill.
87 – With just 87 rushing yards against the Bulldogs, Diego Pavia would become the Aggies’ all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback.
0 – Entering Saturday, the Aggies hold an all-time record of 4-0-1 in bowl games – making NM State the only program at the FBS level with at least one bowl appearance and no losses.
3 – With their second game in University Stadium coming on Saturday, this will mark the third stadium this season in which the Aggies play multiple games in (Aggie Memorial, Williams Stadium).
3 – The Aggies rank third in red zone defense – limiting opposing offenses to zero points in 16 of their 56 red zone trips.

BOWL BOUND
For the second consecutive season, the Aggies have earned the right to go bowling. After doing so by way of a sixth win in the final game of the season in 2022, the 2023 version of the Aggies clinched a postseason berth after winning seven of their first 10 games of the season. This marks the Aggies’ sixth appearance in a bowl game and third since 2017.

BOWL HISTORY
NM State will participate in its sixth bowl game in the history of the program and will enter the bout versus the Bulldogs as the only FBS institution to have played in at least one bowl game and have no losses to its name – posting a 4-0-1 record in its first five contests.

Saturday will also represent the Aggies third bowl game appearance since 2017 and second under Head Coach Jerry Kill who is in just his second season with the program. This is also the first time that the Aggies will appear in a bowl game in back-to-back seasons since the 1959 and 1960 seasons.

Despite the NM State campus being about 200 miles away from the home of the New Mexico Bowl, this will be the first time that the Aggies will play in the now 18-year old bowl. This will also be the fifth time that a team from New Mexico will compete in the New Mexico Bowl as UNM has participated in their hometown’s bowl game four times. Meanwhile, this will be Fresno State’s fourth time competing in the New Mexico Bowl with their most recent time being 2021.

NM State Bowl History
1935 – Sun Bowl – T, 14-14 vs. Hardin-Simmons
1959 – Sun Bowl – W, 28-8 vs. North Texas State
1960 – Sun Bowl – W, 20-13 vs. Utah State
2017 – Arizona Bowl – W, 26-20 (OT) vs. Utah State
2022 – Quick Lane Bowl – W, 24-19 vs. Bowling Green

POSTSEASON HONORS
With the historic season, the Aggies have hauled in a number of postseason individual awards – including three First Team All-CUSA honorees.

In total, NM State picked up 11 all-conference awards while Diego Pavia was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Year and Ethan Albertson earned CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year recognition.

On the CUSA first team was left tackle Shiyazh Pete, defensive tackle Sterling Webb and kicker Ethan Albertson. Meanwhile, Diego Pavia, Star Thomas, Canaah Yarro, Keyshaun Elliott and Charlie Eberle each claimed second team distinction. Lastly, Eli Stowers, Izaiah Reed and Jordan Vincent landed on the All-CUSA Honorable Mention list.

In addition to the honors for the student-athletes, Aggie head coach, Jerry Kill, has earned himself a trio of awards so far for the job he has done this season. Kill was named CUSA Co-Coach of the Year while being named the AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year. Kill was also recognized as one of the top 15 coaches this season by College Football News.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Quarterback Diego Pavia headlines a list of four Aggies from the 2023 roster who call Albuquerque home. Pavia is also joined on this list by linebacker Tyler Martinez, safety Colt Mangino and defensive lineman Deven Dyer. Both Pava and Martinez shared the field at Volcano Vista High School while Mangino and Dyer suited up for La Cueva High School.

Pavia generated quite the reputation in Albuquerque before graduating high school as he led Volcano Vista football to an 11-0 record in the regular season as a senior before falling in the Class 6A semifinals. Additionally, Pavia wrestled at Volcano Vista and was the 2020 New Mexico state champion for the 195 weight class.

BACK FOR MORE
After earning a bowl bid in 2022, the entire NM State coaching staff returned for the 2023 campaign and will be coaching in their second bowl game with the program. Similarly, the Aggies have 22 players on this season’s roster that appeared in the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl for NM State, including 11 student-athletes that started on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

AFTERNOON AGGIES
Saturday’s game versus Fresno State is scheduled to kick off at approximately 3:50 p.m. MT. The afternoon start time often poses challenges for programs, however, the Aggies have thrived in earlier games this season. Entering the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, the Aggies are 4-0 in “afternoon” games – earning wins over Middle Tennessee (4 p.m. MT kick) Western Kentucky (2:30 p.m. CT kick), Auburn (3 p.m. CT kick) and Jax State (2 p.m. MT kick).

FAMILIAR FACES
This Saturday, the Aggies will look to turn the tide in terms of their series history versus the Bulldogs as NM State has only defeated Fresno State once in 19 all-time meetings between the two programs. The two sides first met in 1972 and have since resided in the same conference on two different occasions as they were both members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West (1984-91) before both represented the Western Athletic Conference (2005-11).

Despite the Isleta New Mexico Bowl being the 20th meeting between the Aggies and Bulldogs, the two squads have only met once since the Aggies earned their lone win in 2011 – doing so in 2019 in Las Cruces. The December meeting will also serve as a preview for a previously-scheduled matchup set to take place on Oct. 5, 2024.

MONSTERS OF THE MESILLA VALLEY
In the first three games of the season, Aggie opponents averaged 31.7 points per game. Since then, Nate Dreiling and Melvin Rice have the NM State defense clicking as the last 11 opposing offenses are averaging 19.1 points per game. This includes performances against UTEP and Middle Tennessee in which they held the opposition to just seven points apiece. This also includes a nationally-resounding showing against Auburn in which the Tigers scored only 10 points. This makes the Aggies’ defense one of just three defenses to hold Auburn to 10 or fewer points across the last two seasons – joining Texas A&M and Georgia.

Against Middle Tennessee, this stout defense proved to be essential to collecting the Aggies’ seventh win of the season as NM State earned its first win while scoring 13 or fewer points since Sept. 13, 1980 when it knocked off UTEP 6-3.

Even with the less-than-ideal start, the Aggie defense finished the regular season allowing just 19.7 points per game to rank first in the conference and finish the season as one of just 23 FBS teams to hold opponents to fewer than 20 points per game.

CHARTING A NEW COURSE
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try again. Touting an 0-27 mark against SEC opponents heading into their game against Auburn, the Aggies waltzed into famed Jordan-Hare Stadium and came away with a 31-10 victory. This became the first time NM State knocked off a Power Five opponent since a 2012 road win over Minnesota. In that matchup with the Golden Gophers, the head coach on the opposing sideline was none other than current Aggie Head Coach Jerry Kill amid his second season at the helm of the Minnesota program.

With the win, the Aggies also become the only current Conference USA member with a win over an SEC program as LA Tech’s 13-13 tie versus Auburn in 1948 was previously the best result for a current CUSA affiliate against an SEC team.

CONQUERING JORDAN-HARE
One of the most storied venues in college football since its opening in 1939, Jordan-Hare Stadium has proven to be an incredibly difficult place to play. With the road win over Auburn, the Aggies became the first non-P5 program to win at Jordan-Hare since South Florida recorded a 26-23 overtime win in 2007.

Entering the game, Auburn was 346-93-7 for a .784 winning percentage to rank seventh nationally since the stadium’s gates first opened 84 years ago.

UNDERDOG MENTALITY
The Aggies have held an us-against-the-world mentality all season long and the bout versus Auburn was no different as they overcame the odds which labeled them as 25.5-point underdogs entering the game against Auburn. Despite the doubt, NM State was able to come away with a 21-point victory.

This is not the first time the Aggies’ have won while being heavy underdogs under Head Coach Jerry Kill.Last season, the Aggies went into Williams Stadium as 24-point underdogs against now-CUSA foe Liberty and, using a 6-touchdown performance from Diego Pavia, took home a 49-14 win back to Las Cruces.

Interestingly enough, current Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze was also at the helm of the heavily-favored Flames in 2022.

CONTROLLING THE PACE
Running the ball and controlling time of possession has been a staple of the Aggie offense during the 2023 season and this has led to having one of the slowest offenses at the FBS level. Using games versus FBS opponents only, NM State is currently snapping the ball an average of every 30.4 seconds to rank 129th out of 133 teams. This has been a heavy emphasis during the Aggies’ back end of the season as they have led their opponent in time of possession in eight of the last nine matchups, including maintaining possession for a season-high total of 39 minutes and 42 seconds in the regular season finale versus Jax State.

FOURTH AND FEARLESS
No stranger to taking chances, Head Coach Jerry Kill has been methodical with his decisions to keep the offense on the field for fourth down. All season long, the Aggies have thrived on fourth down – converting on 11 of their 16 fourth down attempts to pace CUSA teams in fourth-down conversion percentage at 68.8%. This is also good for 13th in the nation.

Including converting one of its two attempts last Saturday versus the Flames, NM State has now converted at least one fourth down in four consecutive games and have done so in five of their last six games.

“ITíS A SIMPLE GAME”
As Jerry Kill would say, “It’s a simple game, we just like to make it hard sometimes.” A primary focus for all offenses, including the Aggie offense, is to protect the ball. When that happens and the Aggies commit zero turnovers, NM State is a perfect 6-0 this season. This feat became even more impressive during the victory over Auburn, as the Tigers had forced a turnover in 19 straight games – the second-longest streak in the nation entering the weekend matchup.

Despite their best efforts, NM State turned the ball over a season-high four times on Senior Day against Jax State yet still emerged victorious. This marked just the second time that the Aggies have committed four or more turnovers during the Jerry Kill era – having done so in the first game with Kill at the helm. Before the win over Jax State, FBS teams led by Jerry Kill had turned the ball over four or more times in just five out of 127 contests and, in those five games, Kill’s teams were 0-5.

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
With the Aggies’ upcoming appearance in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, NM State is guaranteed to play 15 games this season – a number that is two greater than any other Aggie team in program history.

In fact, the Aggies will be one of three FBS teams during the 2023 college football to play 15 games.

For the Aggies, the path to 15 games came via a 13-game regular season schedule made possible by playing at Hawai’i coupled with an appearance in both their conference championship game and a bowl game. The only other way a team can get to 15 games is by way of earning a spot in its conference championship game, then qualifying for the College Football Playoff and reaching the National Championship.

While the Aggies schedule may feel lengthy, it comes nowhere near the grueling slate that the Chicago Maroons played in 1894 when they competed in college football’s longest schedule – playing 22 contests while finishing the season with a 14-7-1 overall record.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Jerry Kill has widely become known as the “fix-it” head coach in college football as he has successfully turned around several programs he has taken over. Typically, it takes three seasons for the turnaround to fully take form. With Southern Illinois, he led the Salukis to a 10-2 record in year three after going 4-8 in year two. He then led Northern Illinois to a 10-3 record in year three after going 7-6 in the second year. Most recently, he led Minnesota to an 8-5 record after posting a 6-7 record in year two with the Gophers.

That rise to success has been expedited with NM State as the Aggies secured ten wins in a season for the first time since 1960, and will look to match the 11-win season that the historic 1960 NM State squad posted when they take on Fresno State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.

PROTECT THIS HOUSE
With the Aggies’ Senior Day win over Jax State, NM State has now rattled off five consecutive home wins, a feat that has been accomplished just once since 1945. In 2002, the Aggies finished the season 7-5, with a perfect 5-0 mark at home.

During the win streak, the Aggies have outscored opponents 152-75. NM State’s offense has averaged 413.5 yards of offense per game while holding opposing teams to just 346 yards per game. On the ground, the Aggies have limited opponents to just 114 rushing yards per game while averaging 207.1 rushing yards themselves.

This is also the second consecutive season that the Aggies finish with four or more home wins – the first time that NM State has done so since 1966-67.

OCTOBER’S VERY OWN
Since Jerry Kill took over the Aggies, the month of October has been friendly to the men in crimson and white and that trend has only continued this season.

After closing the month with a 27-24 win over LA Tech, the Aggies finished this October with a 4-0 record and moved to 6-1 in the 10th month of the year across the last two seasons. With the win over LA Tech, the Aggies surpassed their number of October wins during the previous regime which spanned nine seasons.

In this year’s October span, the Aggies put up some staggering statistics that rivaled that of the best in the nation.

• T-5th in rushing yards per attempt (6.0 yards per rush)

• 6th in opponent 3rd-down conversion percentage (22.9%)

• 10th in scoring defense (15.3 ppg)

• 19th in yards per play (6.6 yds)

• T-19th in rushing offense (210 ypg)

• T-19th in rushing defense (106.8 ypg)

Additionally, in the month of October, the Aggies were one of only five teams inside the top 20 in both rushing offense and defense.

During this stretch, the Aggies were also among the top two teams in CUSA in 12 different categories – total defense (1st, 359.8 ypg), touchdowns allowed (1st, 8), scoring defense (1st, 15.25), yards per play (1st, 6.6), rush yards per attempt (1st, 6.0), rushing defense (t-1st, 106.75), rush yards per carry allowed (1st, 3.5), turnover margin (1st, +3), opponent 3rd down conversion percentage (1st, 22.9%), touchdowns scored (2nd, 14), total offensive yards per game (2nd, 415.75), rush yards per game (2nd, 210).

WHAT CAN CRIMSON DO FOR YOU?
Despite often leaning on the arm of Diego Pavia who ranks 14th in the nation in passing touchdowns (26), this year’s Aggie squad has also been dominant in the trenches as they have outgained their opponents in rushing yards in all but two games this season.

At 202.7 rushing yards per game, the Aggies are ranked 11th in the nation at the FBS level and are joined by Liberty as the only CUSA teams to average more than 200 rushing yards per game this season. Liberty’s average of 302.9 yards per game is tops in the nation.

The Aggies have also now rushed for over 170 yards in 17 consecutive games and eclipsed the 180 yard mark in six of their last seven contests.

WINNING WAYS
With a win on Saturday, NM State pushed its win streak to eight games – something that it had not accomplished since the historic 1960 season when the Aggies finished the season with a perfect 11-0 record. This season also marks just the fourth time in program history that the Aggies have rattled off eight wins in a row.

With the win over Jax State earlier this season, NM State also joined the 1960 squad as the only two Aggie teams in program history to record double-digit wins.

GO-GO GADGET ELI
In his first season with the Aggies, quarterback Eli Stowers has quickly become one of the Aggies’ top weapons and has done so from almost everywhere on the field.

The Denton, Texas, native made his first appearance at the tight end position against FIU on Oct. 4 and has since appeared at tight end, wide receiver, running back and even safety for one play.

In five of the last eight games, Stowers has led the Aggie offense in receptions, receiving yards or both after beginning the season as the Aggies’ primary backup at the quarterback position. Against Auburn, Stowers also tallied a receiving touchdown for the second straight week after catching his first touchdown pass against Western Kentucky on Nov. 11.

On the season, Stowers ranks third on the team in both receptions (32) and receiving yards (346). Stowers also has one touchdown pass this year as he threw a 63-yard touchdown pass in just his second game as an Aggie.

100 YEARS
The win over UTEP in El Paso coupled with the win over New Mexico in Albuquerque earlier in the season helped NM State accomplish something it hadn’t done since 1923.

The pair of victories marked the first time that the Aggies knocked off both of their rivals on the road in the same season in 100 years. However, the 2023 season is just the first time since 1999 that the two tilts came on the road as most years the Aggies host either the Lobos or the Miners.

KINGS OF NEW MEXICO
For the first time since 2017, NM State tallied a win in Albuquerque as they defeated the Lobos 27-17 on Sept. 16. This also marked the second consecutive win over the Lobos and makes Jerry Kill the first Aggie coach since Dewayne Walker to begin his career with a perfect 2-0 record against the Aggies’ in-state rival.

In the win, the Aggies were led offensively by Albuquerque native Diego Pavia who finished the night with 203 passing yards, two throwing touchdowns and 99 rushing yards. The 99-yard rushing total marked the most by any Aggie at that point in the season.

SPECIAL TALENT
Since his arrival in 2019, Ethan Albertson has established himself among the top kickers in the country. Earlier this season, Albertson received recognition for his performance against New Mexico as he was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.

Three weeks ago, Albertson garnered his second CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week honor of the season after going a perfect 5-5 on kicks against Western Kentucky, including a 40-yard field goal.

On Monday, Albertson earned his third CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week selection after going 4-4, including a 42-yard game-winning field goal as time expired against Jax State.

Amid his senior season, the San Diego native ranks inside the top ten in NM State history for field goals made (2nd, 44), field goals attempted (3rd, 58), field goal percentage (1st, 75.8%), extra points made (3rd, 109), extra points attempted (3rd, 113) and extra point percentage (4th, 96.5%).

DUAL THREAT
After an impressive first season in the Crimson and White, quarterback Diego Pavia already finds himself among the Aggie greats. He currently ranks ninth all-time in program history in career passing yards (4,365) and third in career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,359). This season, Pavia also became just the second quarterback in program history to surpass 4,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in an Aggie uniform. With just 87 more rushing yards, Pavia will also become the all-time leader in rushing yards by an Aggie quarterback, surpassing K.C. Enzminger (1,360) and Paul Dombrowski (1,446).

AIR IT OUT
Between Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck and Wide Receivers Coach Tony Sanchez, the Aggies have formed an offensive attack that produces big play after big play in the passing game.

Currently, the Aggies rank 15th in the nation in passing yards per completion – averaging over 14 yards per reception (14.1).

Thus far, the Aggies have compiled 30 passing plays of 25 yards or more in thirteen games. This also includes 13 passing plays of 40 yards or longer (40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 49, 52, 63, 75, 75, 75, 78, 80). This all begins in the backfield with Diego Pavia who now ranks 15th among FBS quarterbacks in yards per completion at 13.9.
BLOCK THAT KICK!
On Sept. 9, the hand of Gabe Peterson helped NM State’s special teams unit came up with a blocked point after attempt for the first time since Dion Henrique did so at Florida on Sept. 5, 2015.

The big paw of Peterson did it again on Oct. 24 when he swatted away a PAT attempt against LA Tech.

With the pair of blocks, he is one of only 13 players in college football with two or more blocked kicks and the only athlete with two blocked PATs.

A WINNING TRADITION
With 17 wins under his belt at NM State, Jerry Kill is the tenth-winningest active coach in FBS football.

Of note, three of the top 10 coaches on the active wins list lead CUSA programs as K.C. Keeler (ranked 4th) leads Sam Houston while Jax State Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is ranked 9th in wins among active coaches.

Aside from Keeler and Rodriguez, Kill trails just Nick Saban (Alabama), Mack Brown (North Carolina), Brian Kelly (LSU), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Willie Fritz (Tulane), Chris Creighton (Eastern Michigan), and Terry Bowden (Louisiana – Monroe).

IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT
When HC Jerry Kill replaced Doug Martin, the Aggies cleaned house for the remainder of the coaching staff as well. In fact, just one staff member was retained from the 2021 team – Defensive Graduate Assistant Quinn Thomas.

However, from 2022 to 2023, all 10 assistant coaches will make the return. This makes Kill’s staff one of just seven schools in the country to bring back its entire staff – joined by Colorado State, Louisiana, Kansas, USC, Iowa and Pitt.

NO LIMITS ON THE AGGIES
As the Aggies enter the heart of their conference schedule, some of NM State’s numbers stack up against the best of the best in the new league.

Currently, the Aggies have two individuals who rank inside the top five in the conference in a total of 17 statistical categories.

Diego Pavia
Pass Efficiency (2nd, 153.9)
Passing TDs (3rd, 26)
Passing Yards (3rd, 2,915)
Passing Yards per Completion (2nd, 13.9)
Points Responsible For (3rd, 192)
Points Responsible For Per Game (3rd, 13.7)
Total Offense per Game (4th, 269.0)
Yards per Pass Attempt (2nd, 8.56)
Rushing Yards (4th, 806)
Rushing Yards Per Game (4th, 62.0)
Rush Yards per Carry (3rd, 5.27)
Rushing TDs (4th, 6)
Completion Pct. (3rd, 61.6%)
Completions Per Game (5th, 15.0)

Ethan Albertson
Field Goal Pct. (2nd, 78.3%)
Field Goals Per Game (1st, 1.29)
Total Points Scored (1st, 102)

WOMEN BELONG IN SPORTS
In her second season as the NM State equipment manager, Paulina Mihelich becomes one of just four lead equipment managers across the FBS level.

Under Mihelich, the Aggies join Nevada, New Mexico, and Temple as the lone schools to be powered by women.

With Rachel Phillips also serving as the Aggies’ Director of Football Operations, NM State and Temple are the only two programs that feature women at both the head equipment manager and DFO positions.

Phillips is one of just eight female DFOs around the country, joining women at Temple, Notre Dame, TCU, Kansas State, Maryland, Bowling Green, and FAU.

Also returning is Associate Athletic Trainer Sam Graff. With Graff leading the way for the Aggies, NM State is one of 12 schools at the FBS level with a female lead athletic trainer for football – Rice, Georgia Southern, Bowling Green, Troy, Kansas State, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan, Iowa, Virginia, BYU, and UCF are the other 11.

The Aggies also added Kaylee Nilsson to the staff as a Graduate Assistant Nutritionist. In her role, Nilsson keeps NM State at optimal nutrition levels for training, competition, recovery, hydration, immunity, travel, and more.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES (FRESNO STATE)
The Aggies’ sixth appearance in a bowl game in program history will come against former conference foe in Fresno State who they will enter the game with a 1-18 all-time record against. The Saturday matchup will serve as the first neutral site meeting between the two teams.

Jeff Tedford serves as the head coach for the Bulldogs and has led them to an 8-4 record on the season, however, Assistant Head Coach Tim Skipper will serve as Fresno State’s gameday leader at the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. This will be Skipper’s first game filling in as the head coach.

As a team, the Bulldogs will lean on their defense which ranks fifth in the nation in interceptions with 16 while being tied for seventh in the nation in turnover margin with a plus-10 margin. This will be the second consecutive game that the Aggies face off against a defense which ranks inside the top five in total interceptions after taking on Liberty which has the top-ranked defense in this category. From an individual standpoint, linebacker Malachi Langley leads the team in tackles with 80 on the season. Meanwhile, Carlton Johnson leads the team in interceptions with four.

UCF transfer Mikey Keene will lead the Bulldog offense from the quarterback position and will enter Saturday’s game with 252 completions for 2,596 yards and 21 touchdowns. Keene has consistently spread the ball this season – leading to four different wideouts with at least 40 catches. That group is led by Erik Brooks who paces the Bulldogs in receptions (55) and yards (711) while being tied with Jalen Moss for the team lead in touchdown catches with five. The Bulldogs’ top rusher is Malik Sherrod who has 888 yards on the ground and nine rushing touchdowns to his name this season.

THE VOICE(S) OF THE AGGIES
NM State broadcaster Jack Nixon returns for his 44th year of broadcasting Aggie athletics for the NM State radio network. A legend on the Aggie airwaves, Nixon has broadcast over 400 Aggie football contests and over 1,000 Aggie men’s basketball games.  An NM State Hall of Fame selection, Nixon will handle of the radio duties with former Aggie Cory Lucas, who joined the broadcaster ahead of the 2017 season.

The long-standing voice of the Aggies called his 500th football game for the program when NM State took on Liberty in the CUSA Championship Game – making the Isleta New Mexico Bowl game number 501 for the Omaha, Neb., native.