The New Mexico State football team looks to stave off being eliminated from bowl contention on Saturday as the Idaho Vandals visit Aggie Memorial Stadium for a matinee 2 p.m. Sun Belt Conference game. Here are some quick notes going into the game.

Aggies thin at linebacker

Coming into the season, NMSU’s depth at linebacker looked to anchor the defense. Today, NMSU will be without the services of Javahn Ferguson and Malik Demby, who were ejected early in the fourth quarter last week against Louisiana for targeting on the same play. Dalton Herrington, NMSU’s leading tackler with 104 tackles on the season, is doubtful today with an ankle injury and Lui Fa’amasino is also doubtful with a shoulder injury. The Aggies have fallen to last in the Sun Belt in rushing defense and will face the Sun Belt’s leading rusher in Aaron Duckworth, who should see his share of carries without the services of quarterback Matt Linehan, who is injured. Duckworth is averaging 87.3 yards per game on the ground.

Jeanty to start at quarterback

Junior Nick Jeanty is due to get his first start of the season at quarterback for the Aggies due to the shoulder injury Tyler Rogers sustained against Louisiana last week. Jeanty was 15-for-20 for 129 yards and three interceptions in last week’s game after Rogers went down. Jeanty shared time with former Aggie quarterback Andrew Allen in 2015 when Rogers broke his collarbone and has started four games in his career.

Idaho starting Petrino under center

The Vandals will also be led by a backup quarterback today. Mason Petrino, the son of head coach Paul Petrino, will get his second start of the season against the Aggies. Against Coastal Carolina, Petrino went 18-for-26 for 177 yards and a touchdown pass. Matt Linehan, one of the most prolific passers in Sun Belt history, went down with a season-ending injury two weeks ago. Idaho at 3-7 has been eliminated from bowl contention and will be heading down to the FCS level at the conclusion of this season.

Aggies still playing to snap nation’s longest bowl drought

When was the last time NMSU was still bowl-eligible after Thanksgiving? The Aggies are sure to take Idaho’s best shot, especially after the 55-23 thumping NMSU took in the Kibbie Dome last year at the hands of the Vandals, but a win today would set up a dramatic season finale next Saturday against South Alabama. South Alabama will not be bowl eligible this season but will be coming off a bye.