Wednesday, October 28
Las Cruces, N.M.
7 p.m.
Jax State
at
NM State
10/27/2026 4:00:00 PM | Football
LAS CRUCES, N.M.—Jax State will play its third and final "Weekday CUSA" game Wednesday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium against New Mexico State at 7 p.m. Central on ESPN2.
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Jax State is coming off a 15-day layoff following a thrilling 27-24 victory over FIU on October 13th at AmFirst Stadium for their fourth consecutive win. The Gamecocks rushed for 173 yards and added 214 through the air. Additionally, Jax State picked up some hidden yardage in the return game with 102 yards, sparked by three kickoff returns by Jamill Williams that went for 20 yards or more.
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Quarterback Caden Creel has been the key to the offense with a Conference USA-best 305.3 yards of total offense per game average. Defensively, safety Caleb Nix has a team-high 43 tackles with one for loss, three pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. Nix returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown, along with a punt return for a score this season.
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NM State holds a 2-1 record in league play after a 30-24 win at Sam Houston last Wednesday. Running back James Jones leads Conference USA in rushing per game at 111 and ranks 16th nationally in yards per carry at 6.5. He rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown in the win last week, and had 155 and a touchdown in a win over Western Kentucky.
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The run defense has been stout as well, holding opponents to 109.1 yards per game on the ground. Nick Session is their statistical leader on defense with 52 total stops with one for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups.
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This is just the third meeting all-time between Jax State and NM State with the home team winning the two prior meetings. The Aggies kicked a field goal on the final play of regulation in 2023 for a 20-17 win on November 25th to secure a trip to the Conference USA Championship Game. When the teams met in Jacksonville in 2024, Jax State scored 26 points in the second quarter, getting touchdown runs of 32 and 48 yards by Tre Stewart and a Jawaun Campbell safety. Â
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With a win, the Gamecocks will be bowl-eligible for the fourth time in as many years at the FBS level and will be looking to join Marshall as the only other team that made a bowl game in each of their first four years at the FBS level including their transition year.
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Jax State is coming off a 15-day layoff following a thrilling 27-24 victory over FIU on October 13th at AmFirst Stadium for their fourth consecutive win. The Gamecocks rushed for 173 yards and added 214 through the air. Additionally, Jax State picked up some hidden yardage in the return game with 102 yards, sparked by three kickoff returns by Jamill Williams that went for 20 yards or more.
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Quarterback Caden Creel has been the key to the offense with a Conference USA-best 305.3 yards of total offense per game average. Defensively, safety Caleb Nix has a team-high 43 tackles with one for loss, three pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. Nix returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown, along with a punt return for a score this season.
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NM State holds a 2-1 record in league play after a 30-24 win at Sam Houston last Wednesday. Running back James Jones leads Conference USA in rushing per game at 111 and ranks 16th nationally in yards per carry at 6.5. He rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown in the win last week, and had 155 and a touchdown in a win over Western Kentucky.
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The run defense has been stout as well, holding opponents to 109.1 yards per game on the ground. Nick Session is their statistical leader on defense with 52 total stops with one for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups.
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This is just the third meeting all-time between Jax State and NM State with the home team winning the two prior meetings. The Aggies kicked a field goal on the final play of regulation in 2023 for a 20-17 win on November 25th to secure a trip to the Conference USA Championship Game. When the teams met in Jacksonville in 2024, Jax State scored 26 points in the second quarter, getting touchdown runs of 32 and 48 yards by Tre Stewart and a Jawaun Campbell safety. Â
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With a win, the Gamecocks will be bowl-eligible for the fourth time in as many years at the FBS level and will be looking to join Marshall as the only other team that made a bowl game in each of their first four years at the FBS level including their transition year.
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Players Mentioned
Friday, October 23
Wednesday, October 14
Friday, October 09
Friday, October 02
