GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Time, channel, things to know for New Mexico State's opener vs Bryant

[ASFN Admin]

It's time for the Aggies to take the field.

New Mexico State begins its 2025 football season at home against Bryant at 7 p.m. Aug. 30. The game kicks off Aggies coach Tony Sanchez's second season leading his alma mater after a 3-9 campaign during his first year at the helm last season.

David Yost will make his debut as NM State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach against the Bulldogs. He most recently was Florida International's offensive coordinator from 2022-24 and coached a Panthers offense that ranked third among Conference USA teams in points per game (26.3) and fifth in yards per game (350). Yost also has experience as an offensive coordinator at four other schools, including Missouri, Utah State and Texas Tech.

Yost's offense will be led by Montana transfer quarterback Logan Fife, who enters his sixth season of college football. Fife played in all of the Grizzlies' 13 games last season with eight starts, and threw for 1,890 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. He was ranked as one of CUSA's five best quarterbacks heading into the season when conference coaches selected him to the CUSA preseason watch list.

Fife is surrounded by transfer running backs Dijon Stanley (Utah) and Kadarius Calloway (California), and returning wide receiver TJ Pride after he led NM State with 374 receiving yards last season.

MORE AGGIES FOOTBALL: NMSU starting QB Logan Fife welcomes new baby girl, speaks about new fatherhood

Joe Morris enters his second season as the Aggies' defensive coordinator and will look to improve a defense that ranked bottom three in CUSA last year for points allowed per game, total yards allowed per game, rushing yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game. He'll be helped out by returning starters like defensive backs Dakerric Hobbs and Nick Session and linebackers Tyler Martinez (2024 All-CUSA second-team selection) and Sone Aupiu.

Gabe Peterson is a marquee transfer addition on defense and returns to NM State after spending last season at Utah State. He tallied 5.5 sacks with the crimson Aggies from 2022-24 and made 55 total tackles during NM State's 10-5 season in 2023.

Bryant, an FCS foe, hails from Smithfield, RI, and plays in the Coastal Athletic Association. Coached by Chris Merritt in his seventh season, the Bulldogs finished 2-10 (0-8 CAA) last year.

MORE AGGIES SPORTS: NMSU announces additional info on its national AD search. Here's what to know

Here's everything you need to know for game day on Saturday:

Bryant at New Mexico State​

Location: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM

Kickoff time: Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Network: ESPN+ (Commentators: Adam Young and Danny Knee)

Radio: 99.5 FM KXPZ (Commentators: Jeff Matthews and Cory Lucas)

Spanish radio: 96.7 FM La Equis (Commentator: Abel Rodriguez)

Key things to know​

• The Aggies are aiming to start 1-0 in consecutive years for the first time since 2006-07, when they took down Southeastern Louisiana to begin both seasons.
• NM State is a 19.5-point favorite over Bryant according to most betting outlets.
• This is the first time NM State and Bryant have played each other in football.

Pregame reading​

THE AGGIES QB1 IS READY: After five long years, NMSU's Logan Fife finally has his shot. He's ready to seize it

GABE PETERSON IS BACK: The pass rusher hopes to mark his NMSU return in style with a banner season

TJ PRIDE WANTS MORE: With a fully healthy knee, the sophomore is looking to 'take the next step' after breakout freshman season

A LOOK AT THE AGGIES' GENERAL MANAGER: David Cobb's do-it-all role fuels NMSU's roster building, desire to improve in 2025

TONY SANCHEZ LOOKING FOR MORE BUY-IN: NMSU's second-year coach seeks to rally fans with return to winning ways

INSIDE THE PROGRAM: UNM, NMSU ADs united in asking legislature for more financial support in athletics

WEEK 1 DEPTH CHART: New Mexico State football releases first depth chart of the season. Who's starting?

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES: Reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic about New Mexico State football this season

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: Five pivotal offensive players for New Mexico State football this season

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 5 pivotal defensive players for New Mexico State football this season

FALL CAMP THOUGHTS: What Tony Sanchez and staff had to say about NMSU football ahead of 2025 opener

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State football: Everything to know for season opener vs Bryant

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