Photo by NMSU Athletics    

The New Mexico State Aggies will begin the 2012 season with great anticipation.  Head Coach Dewayne Walker will begin his fourth year at the helm of the Aggies program.  Coach Walkers oveall coaching record at NMSU is 9-29 and ended the 2011 season with a 4-9 record.  The Aggies will return 4 starters on offense and 3 on defense this season.  The big addition this season should come from Andrew Manley (QB).  Manley went down with an ACL injury in week three of last season.  That was a great loss for the Aggies.  Expect Manley to put major points on the board for New Mexico State.  He maybe the top quarterback in the Western Athletic Conference.  He will be accompanied by Davonte Wallace (OLT) and Andrew Kersten  (ORT).  These bookends will be responsible for protecting Manley in the pocket.  Austin Franklin (WR) and Kermonte Bateman (WR) should be major targets in the passing game  and put a lot of points on the board for the Aggies.  The biggest problem that New Mexico State will have this season is its defense.  Returning starters on defense are B.J. Adolpho (LB), Bryan Bonilla (LB), and Walton Taumoepeau (DT).  The Aggies hope that Donte Savage (DE) can step in and be a force.  The defense has no depth and if the injury bug kicks in, then NMSU will have a major problem.  The WAC is not as strong as it was last year when Nevada, Fresno State, and Hawaii were in the conference.  They will be replaced by Texas State and Texas-San Antonio, but will that be enough to end a 52 year old bowl drought for New Mexico State.  Only time will tell!!!

2012  Schedule

Aug.  30         Sacramento State

Sept.  08         @ Ohio

Sept.  15         @ UTEP

Sept.  22         New Mexico

Sept.  29         UTSA

Oct.    06         @  Idaho

Oct.    20         @ Utah State

Oct.    27         Louisiana Tech

Nov.   03         @ Auburn

Nov.   10         San Jose State

Nov.   24         BYU 

Dec.   01        @ Texas State