New Mexico (4-4, 2-2 Mountain West) at Air Force (5-2, 3-1), 6 p.m. MT, Thursday, CBS College Sports Network.
Line: Air Force by 5 1/2.
Series Record: Air Force leads 15-10.
Last meeting: New Mexico won 34-31 in Albuquerque, N.M., last season.
What’s at Stake
New Mexico, fresh off a 70-7 rout of San Diego State, is trying to avoid its first four-game conference road losing streak since the Mountain West was formed in 1999. Air Force can improve to 6-1 in October under Troy Calhoun.
Key Matchup
New Mexico senior tailback Rodney Ferguson against the Falcons run defense. Ferguson leads the Mountain West Conference with 108 yards rushing per game.
Players to watch
New Mexico: Ferguson tied his career high with four TDs in the Lobos’ rout of San Diego State last week. Freshman QB Brad Gruner is 3-1 since replacing injured starter Donovan Porterie and is playing better every week.
Air Force: Freshman QB Tim Jefferson threw two TD passes in 29-28 win over UNLV last week as Falcons improved to 4-0 on the road. PK Ryan Harrison booted a winning 19-yard field goal with 2:36 to go.
Facts & Figures
In their game last year, the Lobos recovered five fumbles, including three in the fourth quarter. … The Lobos are playing the toughest schedule in the league and the hardest in the nation of all non-BCS teams. Their opponents own a .588 winning percentage. … New Mexico leads the nation with a 25.4-yard kickoff return average. … Lobos senior CB Glover Quin leads the MWC in interceptions (4) and is 2nd in passes broken up with 11.
