Vandals need win for some momentum

Having lost their last four games, the Idaho Vandals (1-5, 0-2 Western Athletic Conference) are hungry for a win as they prepare for tonight's game vs. New Mexico State at Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M.

But the Aggies (2-3, 0-1) aren't exactly full with victories either.

New Mexico State is coming off a 42-28 victory at rival New Mexico, a team that recently replace its head coach. The Aggies' other win came at Big Ten squad Minnesota, a team which is 1-5.

A win for the Vandals, who have struggled on offense of late, would be their first over a Football Bowl Subdivision team this year, and give Idaho a much-needed boost heading into its bye week next week.

“I’m expecting a battle on our hands,” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “I’m paying a lot of attention to us, how we step ourselves up. As a football team, we need to go win a football game and feel good again.”

Idaho has won the last three meetings with New Mexico State, including a 21-6 triumph in Las Cruces in the 2009 season opener which jump-started the Vandals toward an eventual appearance in the Humanitarian Bowl.

New Mexico State receiver/return specialist Taveon Rogers is second in the WAC in all-purpose yards with 170.2 per game, which ranks him 15th nationally. Rogers leads the league in average yards per return at 26.8, which ranks him 20th nationally. He has caught 19 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns this year.

Aggie quarterback Matt Christian, who started eight games last season, has started the past two games this season. He was the WAC offensive player of the week last week after throwing for a career-high 296 yards and four touchdowns, and rushing for a career-high 101 yards and a TD.

New Mexico State is averaging 401.6 yards and allowing 414.8 yards per game. Idaho is averaging 293.5 yards and allowing 425.7 yards per game.