What Is 1962 New Mexico State Aggies football

Overview

The 1962 New Mexico State Aggies football team represented New Mexico State University during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. Under the leadership of head coach Warren Woodson, the team achieved a balanced 5-5 overall record, marking a transitional year in the program's history.

The Aggies competed as members of the Border Conference, finishing with a 1-1 conference record. Despite not securing a bowl berth, the season highlighted the continued development of quarterback Charley Johnson, one of the most decorated players in school history.

• Charley Johnson returned as starting quarterback, having earned All-American honors in both 1960 and 1961, and would do so again in 1962.
• The team played its home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium, a 30,323-seat venue in Las Cruces, New Mexico, which opened in 1960.
• Under Warren Woodson, who coached from 1950 to 1964, the Aggies compiled a 75-64-3 record, with the 1962 season being his 13th year.
• The Aggies scored a total of 170 points across 10 games, averaging 17.0 points per game during the 1962 season.
• They allowed 181 points on defense, resulting in a slight negative point differential of -11 for the season.

Season Performance

The 1962 campaign featured a mix of competitive non-conference matchups and pivotal Border Conference games. The Aggies demonstrated offensive consistency but struggled with defensive lapses in key moments, ultimately finishing with a .500 win-loss record.

• September 29, 1962: The Aggies opened with a 27-14 win over West Texas State, setting a positive tone early in the season.
• October 6: A tough 21-7 loss to Utah State exposed defensive vulnerabilities against stronger passing attacks.
• October 20: A 20-14 victory over UTEP showed resilience in a regional rivalry game played in front of a home crowd.
• November 10: A decisive 34-7 win over North Texas State marked the team’s most dominant offensive performance of the year.
• November 24: The season concluded with a 28-6 loss to New Mexico in the annual Battle of I-25, a blow to in-state pride.
• Border Conference Play: The Aggies split their two conference games, defeating North Texas State and losing to New Mexico.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1962 Aggies' performance against key seasons in the early 1960s:

The 1962 season marked a slight decline from the successful 1960 and 1961 campaigns, both of which included strong Border Conference showings and more wins. The departure of key talent after 1962, including Johnson’s move to the NFL, contributed to a downward trend by 1964.

Why It Matters

The 1962 season serves as a bridge between the peak years of the early 1960s and the challenges that followed. It captures the final full season of Charley Johnson’s collegiate career and reflects the evolving landscape of college football in the Southwest.

• The Aggies’ 5-5 record was the first losing non-winning season since 1958, signaling a shift in team performance.
• Charley Johnson’s leadership in 1962 solidified his legacy, later leading to his induction into the New Mexico State Athletics Hall of Fame.
• The season highlighted the importance of quarterback play, with Johnson accounting for over 1,200 total yards of offense.
• Aggie Memorial Stadium continued to establish itself as a key venue in New Mexico college sports during this era.
• The Border Conference was nearing its end, dissolving in 1962, making this one of the final seasons of conference play.
• This transitional year set the stage for New Mexico State’s eventual move to independent status and later conference realignment.

Ultimately, the 1962 season remains a footnote in a storied era, illustrating both the strengths and limitations of a program built around a star player and a long-tenured coach.