New Mexico State/Wyoming set to clash on ESPN2, game moved to 8 p.m.

Sun-News reports | Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - After a historic 2017 season that culminated in the New Mexico State football team breaking a 57-year bowl drought and winning the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, the Aggies make their return to Aggie Memorial Stadium on ESPN2 when they play host to Wyoming on Saturday, Aug. 25.



"Our football program being featured on ESPN2 at Aggie Memorial Stadium is a wonderful way to begin the 2018 season," Moccia said. "With over 450 new season tickets currently sold, there is plenty of excitement in the air surrounding Aggie football. The opportunity to highlight Las Cruces and New Mexico State University to the nation for three plus hours is a huge positive for our community, our university and athletic program. I would encourage every single member of Aggie Nation to do what they can to make it to this game so we can show the country a packed and excited crowd from the moment the ball is kicked off."





Kickoff for the zero week match-up between the Cowboys and Aggies moves to 8 p.m. to accommodate ESPN2's broadcast schedule. This is the first time NM State has played on any ESPN linear network at home since 2009 and the first time on ESPN2 at home since 2007.



"This is an exciting time for NM State football," head football coach Doug Martin said. "Playing on ESPN2 at home gives our team, University and Las Cruces a chance to show the nation what a special place this really is. This can have a huge impact on our recruiting for future players and our University for future enrollment. When your fans set an attendance record like ours did at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, this is the result. Let's break the home attendance record August 25th."



The ability to play on zero week was made possible with Wyoming taking on Hawaii in Honolulu this year in Mountain West Conference play.

NM State secures postseason deal with Arizona Bowl

New Mexico State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia announced an agreement with the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl that will secure NM State football's postseason future leading into Independent status.



"New Mexico State University and our football program are excited to enter into a bowl agreement with the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl for 2018 and 2019," said Moccia. "Every aspect of our experience last year was nothing short of phenomenal. With the proximity to Las Cruces, date of the game, weather of Tucson and the amount of alumni we have in Arizona makes this a perfect opportunity for our team as well as Aggie Nation. We appreciate Executive Director Kym Adair and her board affording us this opportunity. The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl and Visit Tucson are widely recognized for providing a first class destination and experience for the participating teams and their fans."



Thursday's newly-minted agreement places NM State as the first option for the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, should it meet the necessary win requirements for postseason eligibility, if the Mountain West or Sun Belt Conferences not qualify the necessary teams to fulfill their bowl commitments.