Larry Rose III questionable for season opener at UTEP

LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State football team may be without its best offensive player when the Aggies open the season Sept. 3 at UTEP. 

Aggies head coach Doug Martin said junior running back Larry Rose III is questionable for the UTEP game following surgery for a minor sports hernia. Martin said Rose is probable for NMSU's home opener against New Mexico in Week 2. 

"He is disappointed more than anything because it came out of nowhere, but he has a great attitude about getting back on the field," Martin said. 

Rose hasn't practiced since last Wednesday. He was going through warm ups on Thursday when trainers evaluated him. Martin said Rose's injury is less severe than junior linebacker Derek Ibekwe, who also had surgery to repair a sports hernia and is likely to miss NMSU's first two games. 

If Rose is not able to play at UTEP, junior running back Osirius Burke will likely see an increased workload, but Martin said receivers Royce Caldwell and Izaiah Lottie will see time in the offensive backfield to attempt to replace Rose's speed.

Freshmen Jason Huntley and Gamar Girdy have also received increased practice time and Martin expects senior Xavier Hall to return to practice later this week.

"We won't change a lot in what we do," Martin said. "Obviously replacing Larry Rose is not easy, but we have some older guys with some speed who know what they are doing back there. Huntley is probably ahead of Girdy, but I don't want to have to lean on them for the UTEP game."

Rogers pulls ahead in QB competition

The Aggies scrimmaged on Tuesday night minus Rose to conclude fall camp.

Junior Tyler Rogers ran the No. 1 offense and has edged ahead of graduate transfer Tyler Matthews.

"I like how Tyler Rogers is playing and how productive he has been," Martin said. "I think the competition in camp has made him a better player and has moved himself ahead. It's good to get some clarity on that position, but we still have a lot of work to do before naming a starter for UTEP."

Martin said the offense combined to rush for 4.8 yards per carry on Tuesday and complete 62 percent of their passes for 311 yards. But both Rogers and Matthews were intercepted on Tuesday, with sophomore cornerback DeMarcus Owens returning a Matthews pick for a touchdown. NMSU turned the ball over four times in a scrimmage over the weekend. 

"Turnovers are what need to change and that is what I told the offense (Tuesday)," Martin said. "They have to choose to take care of the ball. It's been the only negative thing for our offense right now."

Sports Editor Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.