Written By: NMSU Athletic Dept.

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston announced Friday that Alcorn State will come to Las Cruces to face the Aggie football team on Oct. 4 in Aggie Memorial Stadium. The addition to the schedule comes in lieu of NMSU's season opener on Sept. 4 against Nicholls State that was canceled because of Hurricane Gustave.

This will be the first meeting ever between the two schools on the gridiron.

NMSU originally had a bye scheduled for Oct. 4, but because of the uncontrollable circumstances that played out at the start of this 2008 season the Aggies are thrilled to get back to a 12-game schedule and to have six home games once again after its season and home opener were canceled.

Ticket holders will use their tickets from the Nicholls State game for entrance into the Alcorn State game. No exchange will be necessary, as all Nicholls State tickets will be honored at the entrance gates.

"We're very thankful for the diligence used by our staff, especially (Director of Football Operations) Greg Harrod's work to identify an opponent and successfully negotiate a contract for a game with Alcorn State," Boston said. "I'm glad things worked out and look forward to being able to compete with our 12-game schedule."

Head coach Hal Mumme echoed Boston's thoughts, saying that is was very important to find a 12th game again.

"Our administration did an excellent job finding us another game," Mumme said. "Our players and fans deserve to have their sixth home game back, so we are really happy about that."

Alcorn State is a Football Bowl Subdivision team (formerly Division I-A) from Alcorn, Miss., and is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Braves are under the direction of first year head coach Ernest T. Jones. They lost their season opener, 34-28 at home to Southeastern Louisiana on Aug. 30 and travel to Grambling State for their second game this Saturday.

For the Aggies this fall has already been a long one. They have been practicing since Aug. 7 and by the time of their first game on Sept. 13 at Nebraska, NMSU will have 32 practices under its belt.

"The team has adjusted well to our situation," Mumme said. "They've done everything we've asked from them and they are very eager to get out on the field and play a game. It's hard and extremely unusual to go as long as we have without playing a game."

Mumme did say that the extra long practice time can be turned into a positive because it is similar to a long layoff before a bowl game and that is exactly where the Aggies plan to be headed at the end of the season.

The Aggies feel that they have used this extra time to make them a better team. They have spent lots of time refining their systems and techniques. and have gone through numerous game situations during practice.

New Mexico State will continue mastering its game plan for the Cornhuskers until they head to Lincoln, Neb. for its Sept. 13 game, which will be the programs latest kickoff to start a season since 1991.