It's not a pretty picture for the New Mexico State football team, which lost 49-0 to Boise State on Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies were beaten in every aspect of the game and, with the loss, fell to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Aggies have lost three straight since beating Nevada in the league opener.
There's no denying the Aggies are banged up on the offensive line, at receiver and at running back.
But the Aggies couldn't get much going against the Broncos, who moved up to No. 9 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday.
The offensive line, down to six healthy bodies, had trouble blocking for the Aggies, who had just 150 yards of total offense.
"We knew we couldn't handle those guys,"
NMSU head coach Hal Mumme said. "They're too good. If we're at full speed and had everybody, we might have been able to make it a game. But they're a very talented group."
Mumme compared Boise State's defensive line to San Jose State's defensive line, which controlled the line of scrimmage in a 31-14 victory at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Oct. 18.
The Aggies tried to run the ball more against Boise State to try and keep the pressure off Aggies quarterback Chase Holbrook as well as to try and loosen things up for the passing game.
But NMSU had just 112 yards passing and 38 yards on the ground.
"Turnovers took us out of our game plan,"
Mumme said.
Mumme believes the offensive line will improve, but whether it can do so in time to be successful is the question.
Mumme added that running backs Marquell Colston and Brandon Perez could return in the coming weeks, Colston for the upcoming game and Perez for the final couple of games. It was believed that Perez might be done for the year with a groin injury.
Meanwhile, Hawaii is coming off a tough 30-14 loss to Utah State on Saturday in Logan, Utah. Hawaii will play its second straight game on the road.
"We just have to get back to work,"
Holbrook said. "Boise State is a good team and the game plan going in was to run the ball, but Boise State did a job on defense. Hawaii is the next game, we have to get ready to play them and we have to have a good week of practice."
