New Mexico
CSU Rams vs. New Mexico: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions
New Mexico (3-4, 2-1 in MW) at Colorado State (4-3, 2-0 in MW)
When/where: 3 p.m. Saturday/Canvas Stadium
TV/Radio: Altitude Sports/Rams Radio Network
BetMGM Line: CSU +7.5, O/U 65.5
Weather: 74 degrees, partly cloudy
Three storylines
Slowing the Lobos: New Mexico’s offense is explosive. The Rams must find a way to defuse it. Last week, the Lobos outscored Utah State 27-7 over the final 25 minutes en route to a 50-45 shootout victory. A week prior, UNM beat Air Force 52-37, marking the Lobos’ first back-to-back 50-point games in 108 years. So the Lobos have scored 50-plus points in three straight going back to a 50-40 win over New Mexico State. UNM boasts a top-20 offense in scoring (37.4 points per game), rushing (218.9 yards per game) and total offense (470.3 yards per game). The Rams’ defense, especially its secondary, was vulnerable in the second half of a 21-13 victory at Air Force last Saturday. The Rams must find a way to slow receiver Devon Dampier, who grabbed 10 passes for a career-high 156 yards at USU.
Run to daylight: If CSU can run the ball as it has been, it should win. The Rams’ running game has made a 180-degree turn. Last season, the Rams averaged just 92.2 yards rushing per game — ninth-worst in the nation. The Rams have nearly doubled that output this season, racking up 180.6 yards per game. Anchored by center Jacob Gardner, the offensive line has been opening big holes for running back Avery Morrow, who’s rushed for 100-plus yards in four straight games. He should make it five against a UNM rushing defense that is yielding 240.1 rushing yards per game, the third most in the nation.
Streaking: The Rams, tied for the lead in the Mountain West Conference and playing for their first bowl appearance since 2017, must keep winning the games they should win. Saturday’s game qualifies as that kind of game. However, the Lobos have been snapping losing streaks of late. They had lost five straight to Air Force before beating the Falcons. They had lost seven straight to Utah State before beating the Aggies. But now comes the hard part: UNM has lost 12 straight games against CSU, and the last time it won in Fort Collins was in 2006.
Predictions
Patrick Saunders, sportswriter: CSU 41, New Mexico 21
The Rams will cut out the mistakes that prevented them from blowing out Air Force and they’ll control this game from the outset. Don’t be surprised if CSU rushes for close to 250 yards at Canvas Stadium. And don’t be surprised if its running game sets up some big-yardage passes from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi to Caleb Goodie, who made a sensational one-handed grab and turned it into an 85-yard touchdown reception vs. Air Force.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CSU 35, New Mexico 31
Ah, Bronco Mendenhall, CU’s current football coach in an alternate timeline and another universe. The Lobos have already forged an identity as a wacky, wide-open team that can score on anybody … and can’t stop a soul. They’re the anti-Air Force, a bunch who’ll dare Jay Norvell and CSU to engage them in a track meet. Don’t take the bait. If the Runnin’ Rams don’t rush for 220 on these guys, they ain’t trying. And after a fourth quarter at Air Force left some CSU fans grumbling about game management again, they really, really need to try.
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CSU 34, New Mexico 20
The Lobos are riding a three-game win streak, having scored 50 or more in each of those victories, but the momentum stops here. Avery Murrow runs for over 100 yards for a fifth straight game, helping CSU get out in front early and run their win streak to 13 over UNM. Meanwhile, a few takeaways by the Rams’ defense allow it to quell some of the Lobos’ firepower on that side of the ball and pull away in the second half.
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Originally Published:
Arizona State baseball will host a four-game homestand, beginning with New Mexico State on Wednesday, April 22.
The Sun Devils and Aggies faced each other in late March, with ASU winning 10-4. The two teams will meet for the final time at 6:35 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
ASU will then welcome Baylor on Friday, April 24, for a three-game series. The Sun Devils have yet to face the Bears this season, but ASU has been doing well so far and has been in the top 25 for four weeks.
Sophomore center fielder Landon Hairston earned Big 12 player of the week honors on April 13, after delivering five home runs in five games. His 10 runs in that stretch were tied for the second-most nationally and his 14 runs batted in were tied for third-most nationally. All nine of his hits went for extra bases, three more than any other player.
ASU’s series against Baylor will start at 6:35 p.m. for the first two games, followed by a 1:05 p.m. start on Sunday, April 26.
April 19
Softball at Houston, Cougar Softball Stadium, noon.
April 22
Baseball vs New Mexico State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
April 23
Women’s golf at Big 12 Championship, Dallas Athletic Club, TBA.
Track and field at Penn Relays, Franklin Field, 1:22 p.m.
Beach volleyball at Big 12 Championship, Bear Down Beach, all day.
April 24
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 7 p.m.
April 25
Lacrosse at Colorado, Prentup Field, 11 a.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 3 p.m.
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
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