Head Coach Rocky Long
(on the players’ enthusiasm entering the season) “I think our players have earned the right to be optimistic because of how hard they’ve worked since last season. So our players are going into the season very confident, but it’s awfully easy to talk about it and something else to go out on the field and prove it.”
(on the team’s unity): “It’s turned out to be a very good deal. The players are to the point now where they kind of police themselves. It was a group effort of being here all summer and working hard together. I expected it to kind of fade as the summer went along, but I think it got stronger.”
(on the team’s emphasis in practice) “Obviously we have to throw and catch it better than we did last year, which if we do, will open up the running game. I think we have a good starting quarterback coming back, good running backs and I think we have great talent at wide receiver, but none of them have proven yet that they can actually make a play to win a game.”
(on having Rudy Caamano established as the team’s No. 1 quarterback) “We’re happy about it. The team and the coaches don’t have to pick sides or the media doesn’t have to pick sides on who the starting quarterback should be. I think the best thing about it is that Rudy has worked hard since last season to understand and be more comfortable with the offense, which allowed offensive coordinator Dan Dodd to increase what we do on offense and maybe open it up a little more to give some players a chance to make some plays.”
(on the UNM defensive unit) “I think we have to replace some awfully good players that were seniors last year, but we have some players that played quite a bit last season and now it’s their opportunity to shine. Our defense will get better if our offense gets better and our offense will get better if our defense plays well enough to cause turnovers.”
(on the construction and expansion of University Stadium) “I love watching them work. I think the improvements will help it become more fan friendly and I know our players are excited about it. It makes it look like a different stadium and it feels like a different stadium. I know our players are real excited about watching replays on the video board. I just hope they’re mostly good ones.”
Junior QB Rudy Caamano (on entering the season established as the No. 1 quarterback) “It’s a better feeling to know where you stand before the season starts. Having more confidence and being more comfortable allows you to concentrate just on football things instead of worrying about trying to get playing time.”
(on the offseason work to improve the passing game) “We’re really happy with what we did in the summer and the spring. We worked hard to improve our passing game and we did things that will enable us to throw the ball more this year. I’m satisfied with what we did in the off season, so hopefully we can show the difference in the fall.”
(on the Lobos’ prospects this season) “I’m excited. I think this is the year New Mexico gets over the hump and becomes a power in the Mountain West.”
Senior RB Holmon Wiggins (on his final season at UNM) “I’m trying to go out in a big fashion. We have a good nucleus of players and we have high expectations.”
(on what will make UNM a successful team this season) “We have great team unity and it’s a collective effort instead of individualism. We’ve also put in a lot of hard work so far.”
(on balancing the offensive load this fall) “The running backs won’t have to carry as much of the load this year. During the spring we focused on throwing the ball, so the offense should be more balanced this season. If we do good in the passing game, it’ll open up the running game and we’ll be more effective.”
(on entering the season with the quarterback situation settled) “It’s more comfortable for all the players to know that we can count on Rudy (Caamano) instead of wondering what’s happening or who’s going to be in the game.”
(on the University Stadium expansion and new LoboVision) “We are excited. It brings a new atmosphere to Albuquerque. We have the new Jumbotron, added seats and the Red Menace fans in the end zone. It’s going to make it a more exciting season.”
Senior CB Stephen Persley (on the loss of S Brandon Ratcliff) “It is a big concern for us, but it is also an opportunity for some guys to step up and contribute to the team.”
(on being picked preseason first team all-conference) “It’s a good thing. I want everything on my shoulders. I have been here for four years and Ifeel like I can handle the pressure.”
(on the outlook of the 2001 squad) “We have a lot of dedication on this team and I have never seen a summer like this. We have a more athletic team and this will be the best team we’ve had since I have been here.”
Senior OL Jeremy Sorenson (on the offense) “We’ve got more confidence in ourselves. We learned the scheme last year, but not making any excuses for our performance last year, we were learning a new offense. Now we’ve got it down. After a good spring we should just make tremendous strides now.” (on UNM’s talent) “Oh yeah, talent is not a question, we have the players to play with anybody now.”
(on where UNM will finish this year) “First – we played with everybody in the conference last year, and we can play with anybody this year” q