Utah State wide receiver Deven Thompkins carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | AP

Utah State (8-3) at New Mexico (3-8)

  • Kickoff: Friday, 11 a.m. MDT
  • Venue: University Stadium (39,224 capacity)
  • TV: FS1
  • Livestream: FloSports
  • Radio: KZNS 1280 AM/97.5 FM
  • Series: Utah State holds a narrow lead in the all-time series, 14-13. The Aggies have taken that lead by winning the last four meetings between the two sides and seven of the last 10.
  • Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the mid 40s at kickoff.

THE TRENDS

For Utah State... The Aggies enter Friday having lost last week to Wyoming, a result that snapped a five-game Utah State win streak.

For New Mexico... The Lobos are on a three-game losing streak, which began after they beat Wyoming on Oct. 23 for their only Mountain West Conference win so far this season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Can the Aggies get back to taking care of business after last week’s loss? It could be a weird game because of what’s at stake.

The Aggies need to win to have a shot at the Mountain West’s Mountain division crown, but they also need San Diego State to beat Boise State.

That contest is scheduled to start an hour before this one, meaning it should be over before this one ends, so the Aggies will know where they stand during their game.

KEY PLAYER

Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State: The nation’s leading receiver entering last week, Thompkins had his worst game in nearly two months, as he tallied just 67 receiving yards.

He is now three yards behind the nation’s leader, Western Kentucky’s Jerreth Sterns, and is just 24 yards shy of the Utah State school record for most receiving yards in a season, currently held by Kevin Curtis.

QUOTABLE

“There’s still five teams that could potentially play in the championship game. We’re all hoping somebody helps us and we’re all hoping we can get our job done, so we’ll see how that turns out.” — Utah State head coach Blake Anderson on the conference championship game race

“Utah State is a really good football team. Blake Anderson was a wide receivers coach here when I was a graduate assistant, so we’re really good friends. I view Blake as a great mentor, both in his spiritual life and coaching life and just as a friend...I think Blake should be national Coach of the Year for what he’s done (this season).” — New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzalez

NEXT UP

The Aggies will either play in the Mountain West Conference championship game on Dec. 4 or be off until whatever bowl game they play in. The Lobos, meanwhile, will not be bowl eligible, so their season will conclude Friday.

UTAH STATE SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 — Utah State 26, Washington State 23

Sept. 10 — Utah State 48, North Dakota 24

Sept. 18 — Utah State 49, Air Force 45

Sept. 25 — Boise State 27, Utah State 3

Oct. 1 — BYU 34, Utah State 20

Oct. 9 — BYE

Oct. 16 — Utah State 28, UNLV 24

Oct. 22 — Utah State 26, Colorado State 24

Oct. 30 — Utah State 51, Hawaii 31

Nov. 6 — Utah State 35, New Mexico State 13

Nov. 13 — Utah State 48, San Jose State 17

Nov. 20 — Wyoming 44, Utah State 17

Nov. 26 — at New Mexico (11 a.m., FS1)



Utah State at New Mexico: How to watch, listen to or stream the game
Source: Gabriella Pinoys