New Mexico State to Open Season on ESPN2

The after-effects of New Mexico State snapping their 57 year bowl drought and bringing a record number of fans to the Arizona Bowl win are already providing dividends in 2018.

Today it was announced that NMSU will open the season at home versus Wyoming on national television. ESPN2 picked up the week zero game and will broadcast the game at 8 p.m. MT to potentially 87 million homes worldwide on August 25th.

Playing on national television is always a big deal, but a home game for NMSU? On ESPN? That hardly happens. In fact, the last time the Aggies played at home on any linear ESPN network was 2009; the last time it was on ESPN2 was 2007.

That’s huge.

The game will provide the university and the program with exposure like never before, especially since the game is during week zero. The only other game they have to compete with is Colorado State vs Hawaii.

Mario Moccia was ecstatic about the news and encouraged all Aggie fans to make it to the game:

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.”

Head coach Doug Martin, fresh off his new four year contract extension, reflected that sentiment, urging fans to break the home attendance record:

“This is an exciting time for NM State football. 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!”

Let’s all get out to Aggie Memorial and make this season opener one to remember!

Before I Go

New Mexico State picked up it’s first verbal commit for the 2019 season in three star offensive lineman Carson Pharris. He’s 6-6 and 305 lbs, so he’s huge.