Aggie Football Hosts Liberty With QB Question

New Mexico State looks to rebound from a 24-0 home loss as it faces Liberty at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two football players in mid-tackle on green turf, red and white against red and black, under a warm desert dusk sky. — New Mexico State hosts Liberty Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium as the Aggies seek to bounce back from a 24-0 home loss to Jacksonville State with their starting quarterback spot still unsettled. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

New Mexico State hosts Liberty at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m., with the starting quarterback spot still unsettled after a 24-0 home loss to Jacksonville State. Liberty enters 7-1 overall and 4-0 in Conference USA on a seven-game win streak.

Why it matters

New Mexico State is 3-5 overall and 2-2 in Conference USA, and a loss to a conference leader would further tighten its path to bowl eligibility. The quarterback decision and passing game are the main questions heading into the matchup.

New Mexico State rushed for nearly 200 yards and forced two interceptions against Jacksonville State, while Adam Damante passed for only 29 yards and Kyah Francone went 0 for 2 on field goal attempts. Liberty's 7-game win streak and 4-0 Conference USA mark stand as the benchmark for the visiting side.

The players

Liberty

Liberty is a private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, competing in Conference USA, and currently holds a 7-1 record.

Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State is a public university in Alabama competing in Conference USA, currently 6-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

The details

New Mexico State coach Sanchez addressed quarterback status at his Monday press conference ahead of the game against Liberty. Special teams and passing game struggles hurt the Aggies in their last outing, and the team did not play well through the air against Jacksonville State.

Monday, Nov. 2: Sanchez holds weekly press conference on quarterback status.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m.: Kickoff at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Season Trajectory

Liberty's 7-game win streak and 4-0 start in Conference USA place it at the top of the league race, while New Mexico State's 2-2 conference mark leaves it in the middle of the pack. Saturday's result will shift both teams' positions in a conference where Jacksonville State is also unbeaten at 4-0.

Fantasy managers should monitor the New Mexico State quarterback announcement before lineups lock, since Damante's 29 passing yards against Jacksonville State offer little floor. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

The takeaway

New Mexico State's ability to protect the quarterback position and fix its passing game will likely decide whether it can compete with a 7-1 Liberty squad. Fans tracking the matchup should watch the pregame quarterback announcement closely.