Scouting NMSU: Aggie defense key to turnaround

Tyler Rogers talks about NMSU's loss to Troy last weekend.Felix Chavez/El Paso Times

(Photo: Gary Mook/ for the Sun-News)A big aspect of New Mexico State's turnaround is with its defense.

That unit is only ranked 98th nationally, but that is a big improvement over the recent past and has led to a big improvement with the team as a whole. In a way, the defense is a microcosm of the Aggies and how they've gotten better.

"We're better in the front-seven, the down guys and the linebackers, we're playing much better there," coach Doug Martin said. "I think (defensive line coach John) Mumford was a great addition to our staff. We're playing more fundamentally sound up there, we're playing a lot…