WKU Football is set to head to Las Cruces, New Mexico Saturday to take on New Mexico State University in Conference USA play.
The Hilltoppers will look to improve their perfect record in conference play to 5-0, while NMSU will look to improve to 2-4.
“Back on the road again, headed to New Mexico State, a big conference game for us,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “You know, this time of year when you go on the road, you have to be doing everything correctly. You’ve got to be hitting on all cylinders.”
The Aggies have been outscored by 89 in five C-USA contests to this point. WKU has outscored their conference opponents by 89.
Despite a loss to FIU in their last contest, NMSU won their last home matchup against Louisiana Tech 33-30.
“They (NMSU) had a big win at home last time they were home in overtime against Louisiana Tech, very competitive game.” Helton said. “So we need to play our best football and try to get another good conference win.”
WKU will be coming off extra rest after last playing Kennesaw State on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
The Hilltoppers dismantled KSU 31-14 in a game that WKU outgained the Owls 462 to 272 yards on offense.
WKU has won three straight contests, all three being C-USA games.
In all three matchups against UTEP, Sam Houston and KSU the WKU defense allowed 17 or fewer points. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers offense scored at least 31 points in each of the contests.
In addition to allowing 17 or less in each of the last three matchups, the Hilltopper defense has forced at least one turnover in each game.
“We’re trying to play to a high standard and we’ve got a high standard of people in the room,” Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers said. “Like I’ve said all year, we’ve got amazing young men. It’s the most fun I’ve had coaching in a long, long time. We’ve got a great staff on defense. I think the culture and the characteristics of the people that are in there kind of show. The beauty of football, though, is nobody cares what you did last week. It’s only what you’ve got coming next.”
WKU will head to NMSU as heavy favorites as ESPN has the Aggies listed as 18-point underdogs.
The Hilltoppers and Aggies will face off on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Sports Reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected].
