UTEP and NMSU have a lot on line in Battle of I-10

There’s a lot on the line Saturday night in Las Cruces in the 93rd Battle of I-10.

UTEP will be trying to match its longest win streak in the series and an improving New Mexico State trying to put an end to it.

The Miner’s best player, running back Aaron Jones, is out for the season. A win without him would break a Battle of I-10 record dating back to the 1930’s, but NMSU just wants its first win since 2007.

“We always know it’s going to be a bloodbath,” UTEP coach Sean Kugler said of the rivalry.

“When you’re 30 miles away from each other, there’s going to be a lot to say about that game,” NMSU coach Doug Martin added, “a lot of energy and enthusiasm about it.”

Both coaches know what’s at stake Saturday night in Las Cruces. One of their teams will get their first win of the season. The other will sink to 0-and-3. And both are calling on their fans for some help.

“I know UTEP fans always do a great job of coming up and supporting the Miners whenever we play at New Mexico State,” Kugler said. “We’re going to need you this game. We’re at a crossroads right now.”

Martin added: “I’m sure they don’t look at it as a rivalry. They think they’re going to come up here and dominate the football game like they have for seven years. Until our guys step up and want to change that, it’s not going to change.”

It was at the Sun Bowl last year where UTEP won its sixth Battle of I-10 in a row. On Saturday night they’ll go for seven, matching the all-time longest streak in the series, which dates back more than 80 years to 1927 to 1933.

Miner fan John Carrasco, who bought 10 tickets to the Battle of I-10 on Friday, didn’t realize UTEP has won six in a row in the rivalry.

“I have some ammo now for the Aggie fans out there,” Carrasco said.

NMSU officials told ABC-7 only about 15,000 tickets have been sold.