Jacksonville State Dominates Offense but Needs Defensive Improvements
Aggies Struggles Offensively and Defensively, Gamecocks Dominates Offense
In a pivotal Conference USA matchup this Wednesday, the New Mexico State Aggies (1-4, 0-2 C-USA) travel to Jacksonville, Alabama, to challenge the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (2-3, 1-0 C-USA) at AmFirst Stadium. New Mexico State is reeling from a fourth consecutive loss after a 50-40 defeat to their in-state rival, New Mexico, while Jacksonville State looks to build on a two-game winning streak, having recently triumphed over Kennesaw State with a commanding 63-24 victory.
Both teams face their own set of challenges: New Mexico State’s struggles to score and prevent points, and Jacksonville State’s need for defensive improvements despite their offensive prowess. Notably, the Aggies enter the game without any reported injuries, while Jacksonville State will be missing key players, including running back Ron Wiggins, wide receivers Brannon Spector and Dallan Wright, and have quarterback Logan Smothers listed as questionable.
Offense and Defense in Disarray
The Aggies have encountered significant difficulties this season, averaging a mere 19.6 points and allowing an alarming 35.0 points per game, ranking 116th and 121st in the nation, respectively. They have struggled both in scoring and on defense, with a total offense of 261.8 yards per game, positioning them 126th overall.
On the ground, New Mexico State averages 153.4 rushing yards (74th), led by Seth McGowan, who has rushed for 334 yards at a robust 5.8 yards per carry. The passing game, however, has faltered significantly, with the Aggies managing only 108.4 passing yards per game, the lowest in college football (132nd). Currently, Santino Marucci is at the helm, having thrown for 268 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. His counterpart, Parker Awad, has similar stats, contributing 243 yards and also a 2:2 TD-to-INT ratio.
The Aggies’ defense is equally concerning. They have allowed an average of 462.2 yards per game, with 233.3 rushing yards (128th) and 229.0 passing yards (87th) against them. Linebacker Tyler Martinez leads the team with 35 tackles, while defensive end Buddha Peleti tops the squad with 2.5 sacks. Safety Josiah Cox has been a bright spot with two interceptions, but overall, the defense has struggled to stop opposing offenses.
Offensive Firepower, Defensive Concerns
In contrast, Jacksonville State boasts a potent offense, averaging 36.4 points (25th) and 431.2 total yards (45th) per game. The Gamecocks excel on the ground, rushing for an average of 204.4 yards per game, ranking them 23rd nationally. Quarterback Tyler Huff has played a crucial role, amassing 1,073 passing yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He also leads the rushing attack with 445 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Running back Tre Stewart has emerged as a scoring machine, totaling 354 rushing yards and an impressive eight touchdowns this season. In the receiving game, Michael Pettway has been a reliable target, catching 13 passes for 248 yards at an average of 19.1 yards per reception, including two touchdown receptions.
However, Jacksonville State’s defensive performance has raised concerns, allowing an average of 34.4 points (120th) and 425.0 yards (111th) per game. The Gamecocks struggle against both the run and pass, giving up 196.4 rushing yards (118th) and 228.6 passing yards (86th) per game. Safety Antonio Carter leads the team with 49 tackles, while edge rusher J-Rock Swain contributes 2.5 sacks and safety Zechariah Poyser has tallied three interceptions.
Conclusion
As these two C-USA rivals clash, the game presents a crucial opportunity for both teams to address their weaknesses. New Mexico State will need to find offensive consistency and tighten their defense to have a chance against a potent Jacksonville State offense. Conversely, the Gamecocks must work on their defensive strategies to ensure they can stop a struggling Aggies team, allowing them to build on their recent successes.
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