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The New Mexico St. Aggies begin their final season of Western Athletic Conference play by opening the season at home against the Sacramento St. Hornets, a Football Championship Subdivision school from the Big Sky Conference. The Aggies should be on the lookout for the Hornets attempting an upset, as Sacramento St. did defeat the Oregon St. Beavers in 2011.
New Mexico St. went 4-9 last season and ended the year on a three-game losing streak. Starting quarterback Andrew Manley is back from a shoulder injury that ended his season following the third game of the year. Running back will be by committee as Kenny Turner took his 1,074 yards to the pro ranks. Taveon Rogers departed the wide receiver corps, but Austin Turner and Kemonte Bateman will help Manley in his return.
Sacramento St. did open the 2011 season with a 29-28 overtime victory over Oregon St., but the team finished just 4-7 at the end of the year. One of those victories did come against perennial powerhouse Montana, 42-28. The Hornets offense will rely on sophomore Garrett Saffron, who played in five games and threw for 394 yards after filling in for injured starter Jeff Fleming.
Game time/date: 6 p.m. MT, Thursday, Aug. 30
Location: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, N.M.
TV Schedule: ESPN3, ESPN GamePlan, Altitude, Aggie Vision (local)
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