Mercyhurst (0-1) at New Mexico State (0-1) — New Mexico State (0-1) is favored by 28.5.
What’s at stake
New Mexico State
- New Mexico State is still shaking off a 17-point loss.
Mercyhurst
- Mercyhurst is still shaking off a 33-point loss.
Face-off
What each fanbase carries into this one.
Mercyhurst
The chipNo chip yet—Mercyhurst is too early in its Division I journey. The fanbase is hopeful but patient. The institutional commitment to the transition is the story, not grievance.
What this game touches
The Division II loss and the coaching transition. Mercyhurst transitioned from Division II (PSAC) to Division I FCS in 2024. The first year (2024) was a learning curve. In 2025, the program went 5–7 (4–3 NEC) and head coach Ryan Riemedio left for Youngstown State as defensive coordinator. The wound is transitional: the program is rebuilding, new HC Thomas Sydeski (promoted from within in Feb 2026) is unproven, and there is no guarantee the D1 investment pays off.
New Mexico State
The chip · vs the national mediaFans are tired of being college football's punchline for losing — the program everyone schedules as a guaranteed win — and remember that Jerry Kill's 2023 team walked into that reputation and won ten games anyway.
What this game touches
The post-Kill regression. Jerry Kill took the Aggies to 10 wins and a Conference USA title game in 2023, then stepped away. Tony Sanchez went 3-9 in 2024 and 4-8 in 2025 — proof of how fragile the program's good years are, and how quickly the floor returns.
Best players
New Mexico State
- Sone Aupiu (LB) · 8 tackles
- Brodrick Malone (WR) · 96 receiving yards
- Gabe Peterson (DE) · 7 tackles
The line, and the room
The model and the market don’t fully agree on New Mexico State’s chances here.
Home −28.5 · O/U 52
Conditions
92°F · 8 mph wind · Rain Shower
New Mexico State is 51% at home, 21% on the road since 2018 (20-19 home, 10-37 away).