New Mexico State Aggies football statistical leaders
The New Mexico State Aggies football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the New Mexico State Aggies football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Aggies represent New Mexico State University in the NCAADivision I FBS Conference USA (CUSA).
Although New Mexico State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1894,[1] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1954. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:
Since 1954, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
Additionally, NCAA rules allow teams that play at Hawaii to schedule an extra game in that season. The Aggies most recently played at Hawaii in 2023, which allowed them to play 13 regular-season games instead of the standard 12.
The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[2] At that time, the Aggies had not played in a bowl game since 1960, and they have only played in three since then (2017, 2022, 2023). Nevertheless, this gave players in those seasons an extra game in which to compile statistics.
The Aggies accumulated many yards of offense during Hal Mumme's four-year stint as head coach from 2005 through 2008.
CUSA has held a championship game since 2005. New Mexico State appeared in this game in its first CUSA season in 2023, giving players in that season yet another game to compile statistics.
Due to COVID-19 issues, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against the athletic eligibility of any football player, giving everyone who played in that season the opportunity for five years of eligibility instead of the normal four.[3]
These lists are updated through the end of the 2023 season.
^ ab"New Mexico State Football 2023 Media Guide" (PDF). New Mexico State Aggies. August 21, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
^"NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. 2002-08-28. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
^Cobb, David (August 21, 2020). "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
