By Adam Sweeney
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31
SERIES RECORD: Texas 4, New Mexico State 0
LAST: #5 Texas 66, New Mexico State 7 (2003)
THE LONGHORNS’ season opener offers an opportunity to establish a rhythm against an Aggie squad that boasts a new coach — Doug Martin — and a new starting quarterback. New Mexico State is still accepting applications for its signal caller after junior Andrew Manley transferred.
Texas last faced the Aggies in 2003 in [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] a 66-7 blowout where quarterback Chance Mock connected twice with receiver Roy Williams for two touchdowns and a promising backup named Vince Young rushed for two scores in the fourth quarter. A similar scenario could play out in 2013, with freshman quarterback Tyrone Swoopes coming in for David Ash at the end of a blowout win. The chance to play in the season opener would only add to the buzz Swoopes created in his outstanding spring game performance.
Junior wide receiver Austin Franklin is easily the best player for New Mexico State and looks to match his sophomore season numbers, which included 74 catches for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns. He’ll have his hands full against Quandre Diggs and Carrington Byndom, while adapting to the Aggies’ new spread offense. The Longhorn defense should handle the offense well since they see a superior version of that scheme every week in the Big 12.
The game will provide some early insight into burning questions lingering from the 2012 season. How quickly can the Longhorns transition from a heavy run attack to a hurry-up offense? Will David Ash make a successful leap in his junior year like Vince Young and Colt McCoy? Can Manny Diaz’s defense clean up its on-field act and return to the ranks of the elite?
Texas fans will get to indulge their sweet tooth in this cupcake of a game, which will be heavy on Longhorn highlights and light on competition. New Mexico State hasn’t had a winning record since 2002.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
NEW MEXICO STATE
| 2013 SCHEDULEAUG 31 at Texas
SEPT 7 vs. Minnesota SEPT 14 vs. UTEP SEPT 21 at UCLA SEPT 28 vs. San Diego State OCT 5 at New Mexico OCT 19 vs. Rice OCT 26 vs. Abilene Christian NOV 2 at Louisiana- Lafayette NOV 9 vs. Boston College NOV 23 at Florida Atlantic NOV 30 vs. Idaho |
HEAD COACH: Doug Martin STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Aggie Memorial,capacity 30,343 2012 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 7th (WAC) 2012 RECORD: 1-11 ALL TIME RECORD: 422-587-31 (.421) |
DID YOU KNOW?
New Mexico State last went to a bowl game in 1960, where they defeated Utah State 20-13. In fact, the Sun Bowl has been host to all of three of the Aggies’ bowl appearances (1936 and 1959).
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