5 p.m., TCF Bank Stadium (50,805) Radio: 99.5 FM (Cruces), 1150 AM (Abq.) TV: Big Ten Network

Series: Tied 1-1 Last meeting: Minnesota 44, NMSU 21 on Sept. 7, 2013 in Las Cruces

NMSU DEPTH CHART

SPECIALISTSK 18 Dylan Brown 6-1 174 Jr.

KO 24 Parker Davidson 5-11 175 Sr.

P 16 Payton Theisler 5-8 145 Jr.

HOLD 24 Sy Slater 6-1 202 Jr.

DS 40 Tim O’Donnell 5-10 241 Jr.

KR 1 Jason Huntley 5-9 188 Jr. 7 Royce Caldwell 5-8 170 Sr.

PR 2 OJ Clark 5-7 165 Jr. 7 Royce Caldwell 5-8 170 Sr.

DEFENSEDE 51 Roy Lopez 6-2 313 Jr. 89 Jackson Solbeck 6-4 283 Sr.

NT 94 DeShawnte Lloyd 6-1 333 Sr. 99 Myles Vigne 6-1 315 So.

DE 46 Donovan King 6-2 224 Fr. 10 Cedric Wilcots III 6-4 245 Jr.

OLB 11 Malik Demby 6-2 227 Sr. 28 Shane Jackson 6-0 232 Jr.

WLB 20 Johnathan Hood 6-0 215 Sr. 43 Billy Nipp 5-11 223 Sr.

SLB 2 Terrill Hanks 6-3 235 Sr. 20 Johnathan Hood 6-0 215 Sr.

MLB 49 Lui Fa’amasino 6-0 227 Sr. 3 Derek Ibekwe 6-0 234 Sr.

CB 4 DeMarcus Owens 5-10 191 Sr. 29 Jared Phipps 5-9 165 Jr.

SS 22 Shamad Lomax 6-0 204 Jr. 19 Austin Perkins 5-9 185 Jr.

FS 23 Ron LaForce 6-1 180 Sr. 12 Tymon Locklin 6-2 210 Sr.

CB 1 Ray Buford Jr. 6-2 202 Jr. 5 Komotay Koffie 6-1 190 Jr.

OFFENSEWR 9 Drew Dan 6-3 190 Jr. 11 Shea Holebrook Jr. 6-5 208 Jr.

LT 76 Sage Doxtater 6-7 327 Jr. 51 Kris’Sean Edwards 6-4 295 Jr.

LG 78 Brian Trujillo 6-4 315 Jr. 51 Isaiah Mursalat 6-4 321 Fr.

C 74 Jamin Smith 6-3 306 Sr. 69 Billy Sharmoug 6-2 330 Sr.

RG 77 Isaac McClain 6-2 320 Sr. 50 Austin Young 6-5 320 Fr.

RT 55 Sebastian Anderson 6-6 305 Jr. 52 Jalen Guerrero 6-6 285 So.

TE 87 Bryce Roberts 6-4 268 So. 88 Xander Yarberough 6-6 252 So.

WR 13 Johnathan Boone 6-3 190 Sr. 8 Tevis Abraham 6-2 200 Fr.

QB 3 Matt Romero 6-2 204 Jr. 12 Nick Jeanty 6-2 203 Sr.

RB 1 Jason Huntley 5-9 188 Jr. 7 Royce Caldwell 5-8 170 Sr.

WR 2 OJ Clark 5-7 165 Jr. 10 Izaiah Lottie 6-0 198 Jr.

NEW MEXICO STATE at MINNESOTA

Date Team TimeAug. 25 Wyoming 29, NMSU 7Today at Minnesota 5 p.m.Sept. 8 at Utah State 6 p.m.Sept. 15 New Mexico 6 p.m.Sept. 22 at UTEP 5:30 p.m.Oct. 6 Liberty 6 p.m.Oct. 13 at Louisiana TBAOct. 20 Georgia Southern 4 p.m.Oct. 27 at Texas State TBANov. 3 Alcorn State 2 p.m.Nov. 17 at BYU TBANov. 24 at Liberty noon

Date Team TimeToday New Mexico State 5 p.m.Sept. 8 Fresno State 5:30 p.m.Sept. 15 Miami (Ohio) 1:30 p.m.Sept. 22 at Maryland TBAOct. 6 Iowa 2 p.m.Oct. 13 at Ohio State TBAOct. 20 at Nebraska TBAOct. 26 Indiana 6 p.m.Nov. 3 at Illinois TBANov. 10 Purdue TBANov. 17 Northwestern TBANov. 24 at Wisconsin TBA

NEW MEXICO STATE (0-1) MINNESOTA (0-0)

MINN DEPTH CHART

DEFENSE TFL Int UT AT Total Yds YdsLeon McQuaker 2 16 18 1-3 -Javahn Fergurson 1 14 15 - -Ron LaForce 3 11 14 - -Terrill Hanks 1 10 11 1-1 -

OFFENSEPassing

Comp Att Yds TD Int

Matt Romero 16 27 140 1 0Nick Jeanty 2 6 4 0 0

Rushing Att Net Avg TDJason Huntley 9 22 2.4 0Matt Romero 7 -31 -4.4 0

Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDJason Huntley 5 25 5.0 0OJ Clark 5 12 2.4 0Johnathan Boone 3 21 7.0 0Drew Dan 2 60 30.0 1

NMSU LEADERS

DEFENSE TFL Int UT AT Total Yds YdsThomas Barber 76 39 115 10.5-30 1-0Jacob Huff 47 18 65 3.5-5 3-67Antonio Shenault 44 20 64 3.5-14 -Carter Coughlin 29 8 37 11.5-51 -

OFFENSE (RETURNING)Passing

Comp Att Yds TD Intno returnees - - - - -

Rushing Att Net Avg TDRodney Smith 229 977 4.3 3Phillip Howard 5 12 2.4 0

Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDTyler Johnson 35 677 19.3 7Rodney Smith 17 107 6.3 0Phillip Howard 11 132 12 0Demetrius Douglas 11 83 7.5 0

MINNESOTA LEADERS

SPECIALISTSK 38 Emmit Carpenter 6-0 200 Sr.

KO 38 Emmit Carpenter 6-0 200 Sr.

P 47 Jacob Herbers 6-2 215 Jr.

HOLD 47 Jacob Herbers 6-2 215 Jr.

DS 25 Payton Jordahl 6-2 230 Sr.

KR 1 Rodney Smith 5-11 210 Sr. 24 Mohamed Ibrahim 5-10 205 Fr.

PR 11 Antoine Winfield Jr. 5-10 205 So. 34 Antonio Shenault 5-11 190 Sr.

DEFENSEDE 46 W. DeLattiboudere 6-3 250 Jr. 9 Esezi Otomewo 6-6 260 Fr.

DT 19 Gary Moore 6-4 300 Sr. 90 Sam Renner 6-4 270 Jr.

DT 99 O.J. Smith 6-2 320 Sr. 97 Royal Silver 6-3 300 Jr.

DE 45 Carter Coughlin 6-4 245 Jr. 12 Tai’yon Devers 6-4 240 Jr.

MLB 41 Thomas Barber 6-1 235 Jr. 8 Thomas Rush 6-3 230 Fr.

WLB 36 Blake Cashman 6-2 235 Sr. 20 Julian Huff 6-0 225 Sr.

SLB 21 Kamal Martin 6-3 235 Jr. 55 Mariano Sori-Marin 6-3 240 Fr.

CB 31 Kiondre Thomas 6-0 190 So. 16 Coney Durr 5-10 190 Jr.

SS 11 Antoine Winfield Jr. 5-10 205 So. 23 Jordan Howden 5-11 185 Fr.

FS 2 Jacob Huff 5-11 210 Sr. 27 Calvin Swenson 6-1 210 So.

CB 4 Terell Smith 6-1 195 Fr. 15 C.J. Smith 6-1 185 Fr.

OFFENSEWR 13 Rashod Bateman 6-2 200 Fr. 17 Seth Green 6-4 240 So.

LT 73 Donnell Greene 6-7 320 Sr. 58 Quinn Oseland 6-6 305 Jr.

LG 64 Conner Olson 6-5 300 So. 61 Bronson Dovich 6-5 300 Jr.

C 62 Jared Weyler 6-4 300 Sr. 60 John M. Schmitz 6-4 300 Fr.

RG 77 Blaise Andries 6-5 315 Fr. 51 Curtis Dunlap Jr. 6-5 370 Fr.

RT 70 Sam Schlueter 6-6 305 So. 78 Daniel Faalele 6-9 400 Fr.

TE 42 Ko Kieft 6-4 250 So. 80 Jake Paulson 6-4 260 Fr.

WR 82 Demetrius Douglas 6-0 190 Fr. 25 Phillip Howard 5-11 195 So.

QB 5 Zack Annexstad 6-3 215 Fr. 2 Tanner Morgan 6-2 210 Fr.

RB 1 Rodney Smith 5-11 210 Sr. 24 Mohamed Ibrahim 5-10 205 Fr.

WR 6 Tyler Johnson 6-2 200 Jr. 3 Chris Autman-Bell 6-1 200 Fr.

2018 SCHEDULES

TodayNew Mexico State at Minnesota, 5 p.m.Army at Duke, 5 p.m.Northwestern at Purdue, 6 p.m.FridayUtah State at Michigan State, 5 p.m.Western Kentucky at Wisconsin,7 p.m.SaturdayUMass at Boston College, 11 a.m.Old Dominion at Liberty, 4 p.m.Michigan at Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m.BYU at Arizona, 8:45 p.m.

GAMES THIS WEEK

RANK INDEPENDENTS/FBSOFFENSEPoints per game 7.0 2/6Rushing YPG -9.0 2/6Passing YPG 137.0 2/2First downs 7 2/6Pass yds. per catch 8.0 2/5Completion pct. 54.5 2/5Interceptions 0 1/1Passing efficiency 101.2 2/5Sacks allowed/game 3.0 2/6TFLs allowed/game 6.5 2/6Fumbles lost 0 1/13rd down pct. 23.1 2/64th down pct. - -Red zone efficiency - -Time of possession 19:19 2/6Off. yards per game 135.0 2/6

DEFENSEPoints per game 29.0 2/4Rushing YPG 313.0 2/6Passing YPG 137.0 2/2First downs allowed 22 2/4Interceptions 0 2/T3Pass def. efficiency 111.40 2/3Sacks/game 0 T1/T4TFLs/game 5.0 2/3Fumble recoveries 0 2/T43rd down pct. 44.4 2/54th down pct. - -Red zone efficiency. 100.0 1/2Def. yards per game 450.0 2/4

SPECIAL TEAMS/OTHERKick returns avg. 1.0 2/6Kick ret. def. /avg. 12.0 1/3Punt returns 12.0 1/1Net punting 42.0 1/3Punt return def. 5.2 2/5XPs made/att. 1/1 -FGs made/att 0/0 -Penalty yds/game 57.0 2/3Turnover margin 0 2/3

NOTE: 6 FBS SCHOOLS, 2 INDEPENDENTS RANKED

New Mexico State’s offense didn’t get much opportunity to establish itself in last week’s 29-7 loss to Wyoming. The Aggies ran just 50 offensive plays and managed just three first downs until a fourth-quarter touchdown drive made the numbers a bit more respectable. Aggies coach Doug Martin said he plans to take a more aggressive approach this week and hopes to get running back Jason Huntley and quarterback Matt Romero more room to operate. Huntley had 47 combined rushing and receiving yards. Junior wideout Drew Dan scored NMSU’s lone touchdown and accounted for 60 of his team’s 144 passing yards.

The defense had a more successful outing, bot-tling up Wyoming’s offense for much of the game before finally wearing down. The Aggies did not register a sack or force a turnover, however, things coordinator Frank Spaziani’s scheme relies upon.

ANDRES LEIGHTON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

RANK 2017/B10/FCSOFFENSEPoints per game 22.1 12/109Rushing YPG 182.4 3/46Passing YPG 126.1 13/121First downs 197 12/121Pass yds. per catch 13.75 1/24Completion pct. 47.2 14/124Interceptions 11 7/69Passing efficiency 105.06 12/119Sacks allowed/game 1.83 5/47TFLs allowed/game 5.17 5/32Fumbles lost 7 6/433rd down pct. 33.5 9/1094th down pct. 76.9 1/2Red zone efficiency 80.5 10/89Time of possession 30:57 4/41Off. yards per game 308.05 12/122

DEFENSEPoints per game 22.8 9/36Rushing YPG 172.2 10/73Passing YPG 174.5 3/11First downs allowed 208 4/11Interceptions 8 13/89Pass def. efficiency 127.32 9/59Sacks/game 1.92 10/74TFLs/game 5.9 8/66Fumble recoveries 10 4/273rd down pct. 38.4 10/644th down pct. 41.2 2/25Red zone efficiency. 84.2 8/72Def. yards per game 346.7 7/30

SPECIAL TEAMS/OTHERKick returns avg. 21.51 6/58Kick ret. def. /avg. 21.94 11/83Punt returns 4.0 12/117Net punting 38.13 9/58Punt return def. 6.0 7/47XPs made/att. 31/31 -FGs made/att 14/20 10/76Penalty yds/game 28.33 1/1Turnover margin 0 9/64

NOTE: 129 FBS SCHOOLS, 14 B10 SCHOOLS RANKED

SCOUTING THE AGGIES

AGGIE NOTES>>> New Mexico State does have a little

positive history on its side against Minne-sota. The Aggies earned a 28-21 road win over the Gophers in 2011, their first win over a Big Ten team. Senior nose tackle DeShawnte Lloyd does not expect history to play a role today. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Lloyd said when asked about NMSU’s 2011 win. “That’s good but it doesn’t mean anything as far as this game is concerned. The past won’t help us, it’s the present that counts.”

>>> Senior Derek Ibekwe could see his first action in more than a year against Minnesota. The linebacker/defensive end led the Aggies in tackles in 2015 but was hampered by injuries the following year and took a medical redshirt in 2017. Injuries to lineman Jassavia Reese and linebackers Javahn Fergurson and Leon McQuaker could mean extra snaps for Ibekwe, Billy Nipp and Jonathan Hood.

>>> Minnesota does not have a quar-terback on its roster who has attempted a collegiate pass. True freshman Zack Annexstad has been named the starter and is believed to be just the second freshman walk-on to start an FBS season-opener. Baker Mayfield did so for Texas Tech in 2013.

>>> Annexstad won’t be the only youngster to see playing time for the Golden Gophers tonight. Minnesota has 60 true or redshirt freshmen on its roster, the highest percentage among FBS pro-grams. Six freshmen are listed as starters on Minnesota’s depth chart.

>>> Discipline is a priority for coach P.J. Fleck and the Gophers led the nation in fewest penalties (39) and fewest penalty yards (340) last season, Fleck’s first with the program. Minnesota was flagged 88 times for 743 yards in 2016.

GOPHER NOTES

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GOPHERS

Preseason scouting reports mean little when it comes to Minnesota’s offense in 2018. Four freshmen are expected to start, including walk-on quarterback Zack Annexstad, so the Gophers’ strengths and weaknesses remain to be seen. Two exceptions are workhorse running back Rodney Smith and wideout Tyler Johnson. Smith amassed 246 touches last season and the senior figures to get the ball early and often tonight. Johnson, a junior, was Minnesota’s top big-play threat last season, averaging 19.3 yards per catch with seven touchdowns.

Minnesota is also breaking in a number of new players on defense but has several key returnees from a unit that ranked among the nation leaders in several areas last season. Linebacker Thomas Barber is the leading tackler for the Gophers, who excel at creating pressure and forcing turnovers.

MINNESOTA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

P. J. FLECKFleck has a 5-7 record entering his second season at Minnesota. He is 35-29 overall as a head coach.

DOUG MARTINMartin has a 17-45 record in his sixth season at New Mexico State. He is 46-98 overall as a head coach.

FBS INDEPENDENTS W L PF PAUMass 1 0 63 15BYU 0 0 0 0Liberty 0 0 0 0Army 0 0 0 0Notre Dame 0 0 0 0New Mexico State 0 1 7 29

BIG TENWest Division Conference Overall W L W L PF PAIllinois 0 0 0 0 0 0Iowa 0 0 0 0 0 0Purdue 0 0 0 0 0 0Minnesota 0 0 0 0 0 0Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0 0Northwestern 0 0 0 0 0 0Wisconsin 0 0 0 0 0 0

ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018 B1