NMSU hopes to upset UTEP, end losing streak against Miners

The time is ticking: Less than three days until the NMSU Aggies face off against the UTEP Miners in the Battle of the I-10.

“It’s a huge game,” said Mario Moccia, NMSU’s director of athletics.

The Aggies have not won this rivalry game against the Miners in nearly a decade.

“When you haven’t beat a team in 8 years, it seems ridiculous to me,” Moccia said. “I think that’s the attitude of the coaches and the players, but it is a huge game.”

However, the competition is only part of the pressure on Saturday. NMSU must also meet attendance requirements. Every two years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires that a university average 15,000 in paid attendance. Sorry, you are using an unsupported browser. This page will not display correctly.
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“I just hope a lot of people come out, not just the El Paso people, but the Las Cruces folks too, and and support the home team,” Moccia said.

The game will be at 6 p.m. at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces. Tickets are $12.

“I’m expecting a dog fight on Saturday night,” Moccia said. “I’m sure everybody else is.”