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WKU vs. New Mexico State preview: What to know before Thursday

Dustin Judge
WKU at New Mexico State, North Texas

Western Kentucky (WKU) and New Mexico State enter Thursday night with matching 1-3 records and a shared need to find consistency. The Hilltoppers travel to Las Cruces coming off their most complete performance of the season, while the Aggies look to bounce back from a lopsided rivalry loss to New Mexico.

Western Kentucky at New Mexico State game information

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM
  • TV: CBSSN
  • Weather: 73 degrees, 7% chance of precipitation

Can Western Kentucky build on its Mercyhurst rout?

Western Kentucky needed a signature performance after three straight losses to Nevada, Georgia and Indiana, and it got one against Mercyhurst. Rodney Tisdale Jr. threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-7 win, and 12 different Hilltoppers caught passes, according to CBS Sports. The win came in the program’s latest home opener since Oct. 1, 1983.

Tisdale is expected to start again after finishing 49-of-77 for 543 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception this season. Backup Brock Glenn also factored heavily against Mercyhurst, going 4-for-6 for 101 yards and two touchdowns in relief work, a sign Western Kentucky has more than one option under center if needed.

Can New Mexico State’s offense find rhythm after the Lobos loss?

New Mexico State was blown out 42-18 by rival New Mexico last week, a step back after opening conference play with a 51-14 rout of Mercyhurst. Quarterback Trey Hedden has been erratic through four games, completing 63 of 116 passes for 887 yards with five touchdowns against five interceptions, and the turnover margin will matter against a Western Kentucky defense that forced a fumble on Mercyhurst’s only non-scoring drive last week.

Running back James Jones gives the Aggies a legitimate ground threat, rushing for 355 yards and two touchdowns on 57 carries. He is expected to be the featured back again as New Mexico State looks to lean on the run and take pressure off Hedden.

Key matchup: WKU’s passing attack vs. a leaky Aggies defense

Western Kentucky’s receiving corps is spread out, led by Jonathan Stafford Jr.’s 20 catches for 158 yards, but the Hilltoppers showed against Mercyhurst they can strike from anywhere, including Nigel Johnson’s 72-yard touchdown catch on his only target. New Mexico State has allowed at least 29 points in three of its four games this season, including 42 to New Mexico last week. If Tisdale gets time to throw, Western Kentucky’s balanced target distribution could stress an Aggies secondary that has already surrendered five interceptions on the other side of the ball offensively while struggling to contain opposing passing games.

What to watch

Both programs are still searching for their first true rhythm of the season, and Thursday’s result will shape how each frames the rest of nonconference and conference play. Western Kentucky’s blowout of Mercyhurst came against an FCS opponent, so a road trip to Las Cruces offers a clearer measure of whether the offensive turnaround is sustainable. For New Mexico State, containing Western Kentucky’s passing game while getting Jones enough carries to control the clock will be central to avoiding a third straight loss.

Reporting from CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.