Liberty University and New Mexico State University are separated by more than 1,700 miles, but that hasn’t stopped them from developing a multi-sport rivalry. From basketball to football, Liberty and New Mexico State have faced off in contests that have delivered compelling narratives of victory and defeat for both sides.
Football Face-Off: A Gridiron Battle
The Liberty Flames emerged victorious over the New Mexico State Aggies in a closely contested match, with a final score of 30-24. The game, held on September 8, 2024, at Aggie Memorial Stadium, drew a crowd of 16,562 fans and was broadcast on ESPN2.
Liberty’s Quinton Cooley proved to be a key offensive player, scoring two touchdowns for the Flames. On the defensive side, CJ Bazile Jr. contributed significantly with a defensive touchdown, helping to secure Liberty’s win.
Women’s Basketball: Liberty’s Home Court Advantage
Liberty University’s women’s basketball team showed their strength at home recently, defeating New Mexico State 63-58. The win extended Liberty’s home winning streak to 10 games, and boosted the Lady Flames to 17-6 overall and 10-2 in Conference USA (CUSA) play.
With the victory, Liberty completed a season sweep of New Mexico State, and upped their record against the Aggies to a perfect 5-0.
Free-throw shooting was a key factor for Liberty, as the team shot 86.4% from the line, making 19 of 22 attempts. Emmy Stout led Liberty with 14 points, followed by Asia Boone with 12.
The win marked the 26th consecutive season that Liberty has achieved double-digit conference wins across three different conferences (Big South, ASUN, and CUSA).
Men’s Basketball: A Conference Clash
In recent matchups, Liberty University has bested New Mexico State University’s men’s basketball team twice. In one game, Liberty defeated New Mexico State 64-54. In another, the score was 68-54.
Liberty’s Peter scored 20 points off the bench in one of the games. In the game where New Mexico State lost their first Conference USA game of the season, Christian Cook led all scorers with 17 points.
Liberty dominated the paint with 42 points and had a better field goal percentage (46.2%) than the Aggies (36.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions
What conference is New Mexico State in?
After a stint in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), New Mexico State is now a member of Conference USA for football, starting in the 2023 season. Other sports at NMSU compete in various conferences, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific sport if you’re curious.
Has New Mexico State football ever been ranked?
While the Aggies have had some great moments and players, New Mexico State football hasn’t cracked the Top 25 rankings in either the AP Poll or the Coaches Poll for an extended period. They’re always striving to reach that level of national recognition, though!
What is the New Mexico State football record?
Pinpointing an exact all-time record for a program like New Mexico State can be tricky due to the long history of college football and evolving record-keeping. For the most up-to-date information, it’s best to consult the official New Mexico State Athletics website.
Is NM State a D1 school?
Yes, New Mexico State University is a Division I school, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the NCAA. They compete in Division I for all their sports programs, including football (FBS – Football Bowl Subdivision).
The Bottom Line
So far, Liberty has bragging rights when it comes to football and basketball contests against New Mexico State. But that doesn’t mean the rivalry is over. Expect to see more exciting matchups between these two teams as they continue to battle it out for dominance in a range of sports.