Game Week: NMSU - Tuesday News

Jason Kaneshiro writes how both UH and NMSU are coming off tough losses and battling for bowl eligibility.

Both teams are tending to wounds following disappointing losses last Saturday, but still harbor hopes of ending the season strong and qualifying for a bowl game.

With Hawaii (4-5, 3-3 WAC) and New Mexico State (3-5, 1-3) needing three wins in their final four regular-season games to become bowl-eligible, the contest could be looked upon as an elimination game.

"The main goal was to be bowl-eligible and that's still a possibility regardless of how the situation looks right now," NMSU safety Derrick Richardson said, echoing the sentiments of several Warriors after last week's 30-14 loss at Utah State.

And here's a funny quote from the article:

The Aggies ran the ball on 11 of their first 13 plays in trying to shorten the game against Boise State, a departure from the Air Raid attack Mumme is known for.

"We tried to tire them out a little bit," Holbrook said, "and it turns out those guys are in pretty good shape."

The Advertiser staff write that Kealoha Pilares and Josh Leonard are vowing to play this Saturday after sitting out the Utah State game due to injury.

"It has been getting better and I'll give it a shot," Pilares said of his sprained right foot after the Warriors held a brief session at the Sun Bowl on the Texas-El Paso campus.

"I have to look after it a little but I'll be out at practice all week and I'll be there (Saturday)," Leonard said of his sprained right ankle.

Also from the article, Viliami Nauahi will appear on this Friday's "Wheel of Fortune", NMSU fans have created a "Fire Hal Mumme" website, and UTEP coach Mike Price gave the Warriors a pep talk.

UTEP head coach Mike Price, who allowed UH to use his school's facilities, gave the Warriors a rousing pre-workout pep talk, closing with, "kick the Aggies' (butt)!"

Kaneshiro talks to Pilares about coming back from his injury, and has some news and notes on Nauahi, Mike Price and a reunion among Saint Louis alums.

Ferd Lewis writes that some at NMSU miss Colt Brennan.

Still, to a man yesterday — head coach Hal Mumme, quarterback Chase Holbrook and even defensive back Derrick Richardson — maintained disappointment that Brennan wouldn't be involved in their meeting here Saturday.

"It is not the same playing without him on the other side," Holbrook said.

That's because when the Aggies and Warriors got together it was competition to be sure, but it was also fun in a way that Fresno State, Boise State and the rest haven't been. With New Mexico State, it was a mutual admiration of sorts. If not mad science, too.

And finally, if you haven't already...

GOOOOOO VOTE!!!!