SILVER CITY, N.M. – After their first winning season in 30 years last year (6-5), the Western New Mexico University Football team has announced their schedule for the 2023 season. The Mustangs will look different this year, as former head coach Philip Vigil left Colorado State-Pueblo and Offensive Coordinator Billy Hickman was promoted to head coach.
 
The Mustangs will play a total of 10 games (five home and five away), with the possibility of 11. This includes eight conference games and two non-conference games. WNMU will open the season at home with the TAILGREAT against Sul Ross State University on Sept. 2^nd at 6:00 PM MT. 
 
"We have a great group of coaches and players," said Hickman. "We are hoping for them to mesh together early on and get camp started, while expanding on the momentum of last year's success."
 
Western will also play host to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Sept. 16^th) in the Mexican Independence Day Game, Central Washington University (Sept. 30^th) for Homecoming, UT Permian Basin (Nov 4^th) for Staff/Faculty Appreciation Day and Eastern New Mexico University (Nov. 11^th) rounds things out in the Green Chile Bowl.
 
The Mustangs will hit the road in Week Two for the La Batalla Bowl at New Mexico Highlands University (Sept. 9^th). Following NMHU, will be Angelo State University (Sept. 23^rd), Western Oregon University (Oct. 7^th), West Texas A&M University (Oct. 14^th) and Midwestern State University (Oct. 28^th).
 
"This year's schedule is a little different with us only having 10 games, but we are excited to compete in the Lone Star Conference, as well as excited to play both of New Mexico's other DII schools," said Hickman. "With the return of the La Batalla Bowl against New Mexico Highlands and The Green Chille Bowl against Eastern, we are looking forward to battling out with both of them."
 
WNMU is set to begin camp on Aug. 5^th.
 

This announcement is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!  

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram).