New Mexico State heads to El Paso to take on the UTEP Miners for a battle between winless rivals desperate to get their seasons on track tonight at the Sun Bowl.

The stakes are high, and while this is the first game the Aggies are favored going into a game in 2018, Doug Martin’s squad will still have to execute if they hope to end their month-long skid against a hungry UTEP team that hasn’t won in 665 days. Here are a few keys for NM State ahead of tonight’s showdown.

Make it easy for Adkins

If you haven’t heard the news of the week by now; Josh Adkins is in at quarterback for the Aggies.

The redshirt freshman showed good composure after he took the reigns in the second half of last week’s loss to UNM, but NM State had quickly given up their early lead and the Lobos were rolling toward a victory by the time he had established a rhythm. This game will be Adkins’ from the start, and with that kind of responsibility comes nerves — especially in a first career start.

This is when the supporting cast has to step up for Martin’s offense. The backs, line and wideouts have all gotten better as the season has progressed, as evidenced by the team’s yards per play average steadily increasing each game (from 1.9 against Wyoming to 4.7 last week). That improvement must continue to take the pressure off of an inexperienced signal caller in Adkins.

Take Locksley out of the running game

UTEP’s offense has been one of the nation’s least productive through the first quarter of the season, but the group’s one clear positive has been their running game, particularly with quarterback Kai Locksley.

Locksley leads the team in rushing attempts and yards, nearly gaining more one the ground than he has through the air. Primary running back Quadraiz Wadley has been effective when he gets the ball, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt in a limited 23 carries, but the Aggies will be more than okay with adjusting to an increased workload for the junior if they can eliminate the Miners’ No. 1 rushing option.

Keep the playcylling aggressive

The Aggies are at their best when they’re take chances.

Whether it’s been cheeky trick plays or deep shots down the field, New Mexico State has come through more often than not whenever they go for these dynamic plays. It’s been difficult to establish that kind of identity this year with the turnover at QB, but if Adkins is going to be the guy, then Doug Martin needs to trust him and the offense to make those explosive plays.

Last week, Adkins floated in a beautiful 32 yard rainbow bomb to Johnathan Boone on his third snap of the game. Calling a conservative game will be enticing due to the redshirt freshman’s inexperience, but Adkins has shown to be the most poised quarterback on NM State’s roster and he certainly has the arm to make some of those big throws.