NMSU will play seven home games for the first time in school history, with
the first three games of the season at home, something that hasn’t happened
since the 1986 season. The Aggies’ four non-conference games will feature
two Division 1-AA schools and two of NMSU’s biggest rivals in the Miners and
the Lobos.
“I’m excited about this year’s schedule and the teams we will be facing,”
head coach Hal Mumme said. “I feel that the 2006 schedule gives our players
more of an opportunity to be competitive. We are looking forward to the
challenges that are ahead for our team in 2006. I think anytime you have the
chance to play seven home games in front of your students and fans and not
have to worry about traveling it is an advantage.”
Aggies open the 2006 season August 31st at home against Southeastern
Louisiana, the same school that Mumme coached at in 2003 & 2004 before
taking the Aggies’ head coaching job last season. NMSU will then face 1-25
rival New Mexico on September 9th at home. The Aggies and Lobos have split
their last four meetings in Las Cruces. The Aggies’ third home game in a row
to start the season will be against Texas Southern on September 16. NMSU and
Texas Southern have never met on the football field.
After an open week, the Aggies will then hit the road for their first game
away from Aggie Memorial Stadium, as they travel just 45 minutes south to
face I-10 rival UTEP on September 30th. NMSU’s last victory at UTEP came in
1994, as the Aggies pulled out a squeaker 23-22.
NMSU will then open up their second season in the Western Athletic
Conference with an away game against Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Last season the
two teams battled in a double overtime contest that saw the Vandals convert
a two-point conversion to win the game.
NMSU will then come back to Las
Cruces for their next two games against Boise State on October 14th and
Hawai’i on October 21st. The Aggies have played Boise State three times in
Las Cruces with all three games being decided by four points or less.
Hawai’i will make their first trip to the Mesilla Valley in 2006.
Three of NMSU’s final five games will be on the road, starting with Nevada
on October 28th. The Aggies’ last trip to Reno was a high scoring affair, as
NMSU defeated the Wolf Pack 48-45. The Aggies will then welcome San Jose State to town on November 4th for the first time since 1995. NMSU lost that
game 38-37. A touchdown with under a minute to go in the game for the
Spartans was the difference in the game.
The Aggies then travel to Fresno State on November 11th for their sixth
contest against the Bulldogs in California. Another open week for the Aggies
will follow the Fresno State game before NMSU heads to Logan, Utah for a
showdown with Utah State on November 25th. The Aggies have won twice in
Logan, once in 1966 and the last time back in 1999.
NMSU will wrap up the 2006 regular season with Louisiana Tech on December
2nd. This will be the Aggies’ first regular season game in the month of
December since 1943 when they defeated the 51st Hospital 27-0. The last time
NMSU played a game in December was the 1960 Sun Bowl against Utah State.
NMSU begins spring practice Friday, March 31st with the Crimson Bowl 2
scheduled for April 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The Aggies
will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. with
scrimmages on Saturday, April 8th & 15th at 10:00 a.m. Football season
tickets are scheduled to go on sale in mid-March.
2006 Football Schedule
8/31 SE Louisiana* (Thursday) Las Cruces 7:00 p.m.
9/9 New Mexico Las Cruces 6:00 p.m.
9/16 Texas Southern Las Cruces 6:00 p.m.
9/23 Open
9/30 at UTEP El Paso, Texas 7:05 p.m.
10/7 at Idaho# Moscow, Idaho TBA
10/14 Boise State# Las Cruces 6:00 p.m.
10/21 Hawai’i# Las Cruces 6:00 p.m.
10/28 at Nevada# Reno, Nev. TBA
11/4 San Jose State# Las Cruces 6:00 p.m.
11/11 at Fresno State# Fresno, Calif. TBA
11/18 Open
11/25 at Utah State# Logan, Utah TBA
12/2 Louisiana Tech# Las Cruces 1:00 p.m