If you were looking for a high-stakes showdown with national title implications, you probably weren't watching NM State vs Middle Tenn. But honestly? You missed out on some of the weirdest, most desperate, and strangely compelling football and basketball played this season.
There is something visceral about two teams fighting to stay out of the conference cellar. When New Mexico State and Middle Tennessee State meet, it’s not just a game; it’s a chaotic clash of programs trying to find an identity in the ever-shifting landscape of Conference USA.
The Overtime Heartbreak in Las Cruces
Let’s talk about the most recent football meeting on November 29, 2025. This was the regular-season finale. The Aggies were sitting at 4-7, the Blue Raiders at 2-9. On paper, it was a "who cares?" bowl. In reality, it was a 31-24 overtime thriller that left the Las Cruces crowd staring at the desert sky in disbelief.
NM State actually looked like they had the momentum. TK King was torching the secondary, snagging two touchdown passes from Adam Damante, including a massive 64-yarder that felt like a statement. Damante was slinging it, finishing with 311 yards passing. But football is a cruel game.
Middle Tennessee’s DJ Taylor decided to ruin the party with a 64-yard touchdown run of his own. The game swung back and forth like a pendulum. Ryan Hawk nailed a 35-yard field goal with less than a minute left to force overtime, and for a second, it felt like the Aggies might actually end their season on a high note.
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Then came the extra period. Roman Gagliano found AJ Jones for an 11-yard touchdown. NM State couldn't answer. Game over. 31-24.
Why the Aggies Keep Stumbling
It’s frustrating to watch if you’re an NM State fan. Basically, they out-gained the Blue Raiders in first downs (24 to 20) and passing yards. But you can't win when you rush for only 84 yards. It’s impossible. You've got to have some semblance of a ground game, or the defense just pins its ears back.
The Aggies ended the year 4-8. Middle Tennessee finished 3-9. Both teams landed at the bottom of the CUSA standings, just ahead of UTEP and Sam Houston.
- Turnovers: Damante threw two costly picks.
- Penalties: Middle Tennessee actually had way more (129 yards worth!), but they made the plays when the clock was ticking down.
- Red Zone: NM State struggled to turn those 24 first downs into seven-point drives.
The Hardwood Flip: Basketball Drama
If you thought the football game was tight, the basketball matchup on January 10, 2026, was even more of a head-scratcher. NM State was dominant at home. They were 7-0 at the Pan American Center. They jumped out to a 20-4 lead against Middle Tennessee.
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Seriously, it looked like a blowout was coming. Cyr Malonga was throwing down dunks that had the rim shaking. Jemel Jones was scoring at will.
But then, the Blue Raiders just... stopped missing? They went on their own 20-4 run to tie it up by halftime. The second half was a slow-motion car crash for the Aggies. They shot a season-low 34.6% from the floor. You aren't winning many games in modern college hoops when you only score 55 points.
Torey Alston was the hero for Middle Tennessee, putting up 16 points and basically living at the free-throw line. The Blue Raiders escaped with a 59-55 win, handed NM State their first home loss of the year, and proved that this "rivalry" is becoming one of the most unpredictable in the conference.
Historical Context: Not Exactly a Classic, But It's Ours
Looking back at the NM State vs Middle Tenn series, it’s been a series of streaks. Before the 2025/2026 cycle, NM State had actually won a few in a row, including a 36-21 win in 2024.
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The overall football record now leans slightly toward the Aggies at 4-3 since 2001, but that gap is closing. These programs are mirror images of each other. They both struggle with recruiting against the "big boys" in their respective regions, and they both rely on finding diamond-in-the-rough transfers to stay competitive.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think these games don't matter because they aren't on ABC at 8:00 PM on a Saturday. That’s a mistake. These are the games where jobs are won and lost. For Middle Tennessee coach Derek Mason, that overtime win in November was a massive "proof of concept" moment to show the boosters that the team hasn't quit.
For NM State, these losses are wake-up calls. You can't rely on a "hot" quarterback if your offensive line is getting pushed around in the run game.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following these two teams into the next season, here’s what you need to look for:
- Watch the Trenches: NM State's inability to run the ball (3.1 yards per carry) is their Achilles' heel. Unless they hit the portal for two or three starting-caliber guards, expect more 4-8 seasons.
- Home Court Isn't Safe: The basketball loss proved that the Pan Am Center isn't the fortress it used to be. Middle Tennessee’s defense is legit—they held the Aggies to their lowest output of the season.
- The "Under" is Your Friend: Both programs are currently leaning toward defensive struggles and inconsistent offenses. When they play each other, the tension usually leads to low-scoring, grind-it-out affairs.
- Recruiting Shift: Keep an eye on the Tennessee-to-New Mexico pipeline. With CUSA being so spread out, these schools are starting to poach from each other's backyards more than ever.
To really understand the future of NM State vs Middle Tenn, you have to look at the coaching stability. Middle Tennessee seems to have found a rhythm under their current staff, while the Aggies are still searching for that spark that took them to a bowl game just a couple of years ago. The next time these two meet, don't look at the records. Look at the grit.
Check the upcoming 2026 football schedule when it drops in February. If the game is in Murfreesboro, the travel alone usually gives the Blue Raiders a 3-point edge before the ball is even kicked. For the Aggies to reclaim their spot in the mid-tier of the CUSA, they have to win these "toss-up" games against teams like Middle Tennessee. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long winter in Las Cruces.