New Mexico State football: Three keys against Liberty in Conference USA opener
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State football team went on the road last year and beat Liberty 49-14 as a three-score underdog in the team's best regular-season victory.
The victory showed that Aggies head coach Jerry Kill had a postseason-worthy football team, which they went on to prove with a Quick Lane Bowl victory to cap the season.
Aggies players and coaches were not dwelling on last year's victory as the team travels back to Lynchburg, Virginia for a 4 p.m. kickoff on Saturday against Liberty. But there are enough players left over who have the confidence the team is capable of picking up another victory.
This year's game is the Conference USA opener for both schools, who were playing as FBS Independents last season.
More: Liberty poses unique challenges for New Mexico State football team
Here are three keys for an Aggies victory on Saturday:
Ball security
Ball security rises to the top of the list for the Aggies due to two factors.
No. 1, the Aggies did not turn the ball over last week against Western Illinois after three turnovers led to three UMass scores in a winnable game in Week 0.
NM State gained 458 yards of offense against UMass, but two Diego Pavia interceptions and a strip sack fumble led to three UMass touchdowns. Pavia was much better against WIU, taking what the offense gave him in passing situations, finishing 16 for 20 passing with 317 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
No. 2, Liberty is coming off a 34-24 victory where Bowling Green was still in the football game despite throwing five interceptions to Liberty defenders, including an interception return for a touchdown. Liberty linebacker/nickel Jerome Jolley had two picks and plays all over the field.
Make Liberty one-dimensional
The NM State defense has had alignment and communication through the first two games, but they have to be dialed in against a spread option Liberty offense, where assignment football and tackling is key.
More: New Mexico State football plays at Liberty in first conference game since 2017
Liberty quarterback Kaiden Salter rushed 19 times for 82 yards and completed 11 of 20 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Quinton Cooley had 16 carries for 78 yards.
Liberty was just 5 for 12 on third down against Bowling Green. If the Aggies can contain Salter in the run game and force Liberty into more passing situations, the Aggies defense has a chance to get off the field.
Fast start
The key factor for the Aggies upset at Liberty last season was a 28-7 lead at halftime. The Aggies struggled offensively when forced to play from behind against UMass, but scored on all but one of their possessions against Western Illinois.
Liberty led Bowling Green 24-0 before Bowling Green scratched back into the game.
If the Aggies can build an early lead, it would force Liberty's offense out of its comfort zone.
Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @jpgroves.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State football: Three keys against Liberty
