NM State went 2-10 in 2013 during Martin’s first season as head coach after playing one of the toughest schedules in the school’s history. The Aggies faced five teams that had participated in a bowl game the previous season while also playing two teams ranked in the top 15 in the nation.
UL Lafayette was selected as the preseason favorite in the conference, garnering all 11 first-place votes in the poll. Arkansas State received 102 points, followed by South Alabama (98), Troy (84), UL Monroe (78), Texas State (70), Appalachian State (47), Georgia Southern (44), Idaho (29), Georgia State (27) and NM State.
The annual Sun Belt Football Media Days will be held in New Orleans, La., inside the Superdome, July 22. Coach Martin, along with center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke and safety Travaughn Colwell will be in attendance.
Season tickets are available now and start at only $50, while kids 12 and under are just $5 a game. Tickets can be purchased through the Pan American Center ticket office, by calling 575-646-1420, or visiting Ticketmaster.com and searching for NM State football. The Ticketmaster website now allows Aggie fans to pick their specific seats directly from their computer.
NM State opens the season with Cal Poly on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m.
First Place Votes in Parenthesis
1. UL Lafayette 121 (11)
2. Arkansas State 102
3. South Alabama 98
4. Troy 84
5. UL Monroe 78
6. Texas State 70
7. Appalachian State 47
8. Georgia Southern 44
9. Idaho 29
10. Georgia State 27
11. New Mexico State 26