There has been a revolving door on the Lobos offensive coordinator's office every year the last four seasons excluding this last year when new OC Dave Baldwin decided to stick around. The wide open scheme built around junior Donovan Porterie struck a different beat when Porterie was lost for the season at Tulsa when he suffered a torn right ACL and MCL. Unfortunately, Donovan does not have a redshirt available either. Since taking snaps under center replacement freshman QB Brad Gruner is 25 of 61 for 279 yards with 2 TDs and 5 INTs (definately a statline that needs some serious work). This is also the first season in 20 years without a bye week for New Mexico as well. Things don't get any easier for the lobos who now face the 8th nationally ranked Cougars. It will be the 58th matchup between the two schools. Keep in mind the Cougs are 21-6 in Provo against Rocky Long's lobos. New Mexico is one of five teams Bronco has yet to lose to as a head coach (UNLV, CSU, Air Force and Wyoming are the others). The lobos last league title was in 1964 as WAC co-champions. A victory by the jerseys in blue grants the Cougs bowl eligibility status.
On the OL the lobos must replace and restructure nearly the entire line. Only part time starters Erik Cook and Sylvester Hatten return. Cook can play any position of the OL giving the lobos some flexibility in filling the slots. Across the rebuilt offensive trenches New Mexico averages 6.4/312 compared with the Cougs average of 6.6/326.
As for the lobo weaponry it includes senior tailback Rodney Ferguson (two time All MWC Selection) who returns from nursing a sprained shoulder. Despite playing last week against Wyoming Ferguson (6.0/230) still has 104 carries for 523 yards and 6 TDs. Sophomore wide receiver Chris Hernandez (6.3/185) leads the lobos with 21 catches covering 292 yards. New Mexico has won 14 straight games when scoring first. Although that could prove to be rather difficult considering the Cougs have outscored opponents thus far 134-17 in the first half.
Defense was the Lobo forte last season ranking 13th nationally in total "D" at 319 yards while giving up only 19 a matchup. However, New Mexico lost all three starting LBs both ends and a veteran safety. In the secondary seniors DeAndre Wright (5.11/193) and Glover Quin (6.0/203) both remain in their third season as full time starters. Look for Wright and Quin to be tested against Collie, Pitta and the possibly Reed who has been given the green light to play saturday. Senior LB Zach Arnett (5.10/205) has a nonstop motor registering a career high last week of 16 tackles against Wyoming.
On special teams DeAndre Wright can be dangerous at times as the kick returner. Kicker James Aho attempted to walk on in 2007 but was cut. He has hit 11 of 14 FGs this season. Since Rocky took the coaching reins (lookin at 10 yrs now) for the Lobos no kicker has been offered a schollie out of high school. The true freshman kicker from Roswell is off to the best FG start in school history.
Since 2001 the lobos are the only MWC team to be bowl eligible every season. However, with the Cougs 8th nationally ranked overall defense (only allowing opponents 11.6 points per game) life for New Mexico saturday might be awfully difficult. In the last two matchups the lobos have given up the rock 8 times against the Cougs. New Mexico has also had 5 TDs called back due to the yellow flags on the field this season. This team has plenty of talent to contend but many important questions remain to be answered.
2 comments:
The program who always gets the most 1st Teamers in the All-Conference team every year is going to the Cougs best efforts on Saturday. BYU is amped up.
New Mexico is such a disappointing program they will always wallow in mediocrity. It will never change, they had that one year with Franchione when they went to the WAC Title game then a few 8 or 9 win seasons with Rocky Long. But they will never do anything more than that. And with Porterie out this team won't be bowl eligible.
BYU 51 New Mexico 10
Mitch completely agree. Unfortunately with Porterie gone this team ain't goin nowhere. The engine is still there (Ferguson) but the wheels have fallen off.
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