New Mexico
Early 2024 Preview: Liberty at New Mexico State
We have begun our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2024 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of a second straight unbeaten season as second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team to defend its 2023 CUSA title.
Today, we turn our attention to the first FBS and CUSA game of the 2024 campaign as Liberty heads west to take on New Mexico State in a 2023 CUSA championship game rematch.
New Mexico State
- When: Saturday, Sep. 7 at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico (10:15 p.m. ESPN2)
- Last year’s record: 10-5, 7-1 CUSA (2nd), lost to Fresno State 37-10 in New Mexico Bowl
- Coach: Tony Sanchez, first year at New Mexico State
- 2024 SP+ ranking: 100th
- Series History: Liberty leads, 5-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 1, 2023: Liberty claimed its first ever FBS conference title, getting two fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 49-35 win over NMSU in the 2023 CUSA Football Championship. The game was tied at 35 entering the final quarter, but that was before Liberty added two of its five rushing touchdowns in the final stanza to close out the win. Kaidon Salter accounted for 484 of Liberty’s total offensive yards. He rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 25 passes for 319 yards and 2 scores.
Program History:
National Championships: 0
Conference Championships: 4
Bowl Record: 4-1-1
Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 – New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State 37-10 loss
Jerry Kill did a remarkable job in his time in Las Cruces, but he has departed and so have several key contributors from last year’s 10-win squad beginning with QB Diego Pavia.
Question marks are rampant throughout the roster under first year head coach Tony Sanchez, who was on staff at NMSU under Kill and was previously head coach at UNLV.
In addition to the loss of Pavia at QB, the Aggies lose everyone from that position including Eli Stowers and Blaze Berlowitz. They added numerous transfers including Parker Awad from JUCO ball, who finished the spring atop the depth chart.
The Aggies’ new defensive coordinator is Joe Morris who comes over from Sam Houston, who had a very good defense in their first year at the FBS and in CUSA last year.
With both teams facing an FCS opponent in Week 1, we might not learn much about either team until they square off late night on ESPN2.
What’s at Stake?
Don’t let all the turnover at NMSU fool you, the Aggies have Sept. 7 circled on their calendar as they want some revenge from losing to the Flames in last year’s CUSA title game.
Meanwhile, the Flames will be facing arguably their toughest road contest in conference play in this one. We all know if Liberty wants to compete for the top G5 champion spot and the CFP, there is no margin for error.
Additionally, looking to repeat as CUSA champions would be difficult overcoming a loss in the first conference game of the season with more challenges looming.
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Campbell
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.
The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.
Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.
Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.
Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.
Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.
Others set to leave include:
- Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
- Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
- Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver
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