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?Lobos-Aggies No. 92
The University of New Mexico looks to get back on the winning track Saturday when ithosts the New Mexico State Aggies. Kickoff from University Stadium is 6:07 p.m. MountainTime. A crowd in excess of 35,000 is expected. The Lobos have won four of their past fivehome games. NMSU has lost seven straight going back to last year.
UNM is 1-1 after last weeks 42-30 loss at Texas Tech. NMSU fell to 0-3 following ahard-fought 27-22 setback at home against nationally-ranked Oregon State.
After three games, New Mexico State is averaging 245.7 yards rushing a game. The Lobosrank 1st nationally in rushing defense, allowing just nine yards in two games.
New Mexico was picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Mountain West Conference bythe leagues coaches. Both the Sun Belt Conference head coaches and sports informationdirectors predicted the Aggies would finish third in the league behind Middle Tennessee andIdaho.
The Lobos finished 5-7 last year in all games and 3-4 in conference play. The five wins arethe most in three seasons under head coach Rocky Long and UNMs best record since going 9-4in 1997.
UNM was picked to finish last out of eight teams in the Mountain West Conference a yearago, but finished in a tie for fifth place with San Diego State and Utah. It marked the secondconsecutive season UNM exceeded preseason predictions in the conference standings. NewMexico was also picked to finish seventh or eighth in 1999, but tied for fifth.
NMSU was 3-8 overall last year, 1-4 in its final year of the Big West Conference.
TICKETS/PROMOTIONS/SPECIAL EVENTS
Five-game season tickets are available at the UNM athletics ticket office at The Pit or bycalling (505) 925-5626. Ticket office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On day of games, the box office opens at 11 a.m. for 6 p.m. games and 8:30 a.m. for all gamesthat start at 4 or earlier. UNM will sell a four-game conference-only package after the NewMexico State contest.
Single-game tickets are available online at tickets.com and at all Albuquerque-area Raleysstores. Fans can also call (800) 905-3315 or 851-5050 locally to purchase tickets throughtickets.com. Prices range from $10-$19. Tickets are also available at the UNM Bookstore onmain campus.
The Bank of Albuquerque is the corporate sponsor for New Mexico State while KOB-TV,96.3 The Buzzard and 103.3 The Zone are the media sponsors. The first 1,600 fans will receive afree seat cushion courtesy of the Bank of Albuquerque.
Selected Lobo players will sign autographs after the game.
EXPANDED STADIUM A BIG HIT
The 41-year old home of New Mexico football – University Stadium – received its mostsignificant renovation since it was erected in 1960, and it proved to be a smashing success. Arecord crowd of 41,771 witnessed the Lobos 26-6 victory over UTEP on Sept. 1, crushing theprevious mark of 37,156 for Rice in 1997.
While the expanded stadium has just 37,370 fixed seats, UNM was able to shoehorn nearly4,000 more fans into last Saturdays game by selling 1,000 bleacher tickets in the south end andstanding-room-only spots.
A pavilion now connects the east and west stands for the first time. Renovation on thenorthwest corner of the stadium was completed last October and includes new concession stands,restrooms, novelty stands and landscaping. The next phase is to renovate the remaining threecorners with new facilities.
The highlight of the renovation is a $1.8 million state-of-the-art video scoreboard at thenorth end of the stadium. Appropriately named LoboVision, the system has instant replay andlive-action capabilities. It was financed through corporate sponsorships from PNM, Bank of theWest, Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque Publishing, Comcast, Creamland Dairies and AT&TWireless.
Manufactured by Daktronics, Inc., the entire board measures 60 feet high and 61 feetwide while the videoboard is 21 feet high and 28 feet wide. A staff of 10, including threecameras, is needed to operate the system during a game. Personnel from UNM MediaTechnology Services will handle all game-day production.
UNM-NEW MEXICO STATE SERIES
UNMs oldest series – 91 previous games with NMSU – dates to 1893. In fact, the twoinstitutions played six games – between 1893-1911 – before the territory of New Mexico joinedthe Union in 1912.
The Lobos have a 59-27-5 lead in the series, although New Mexico State has won two ofthe past three encounters. New Mexico has dominated since 1969, winning 26 of 32 meetingswith one tie. UNM has a 35-12-3 advantage in Albuquerque, including 14-2-1 in the last 17games at University Stadium.
Last year in Las Cruces, Holmon Wiggins set up the eventual game-winning score with a77-yard punt return and LB Gary Davis picked off a K.C. Enzminger pass with 1:32 left as NewMexico won 16-13. The Lobos overcame a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit and prevailed despitegaining just 168 yards of offense. It was UNMs first win of the season after three losses.
New Mexico State won 35-28 in its last trip to Albuquerque in 1999. The deciding scorewas a 29-yard pass from Enzminger to Lane Grady on a fake field goal with 5:54 left. The drivewas set up after Brian Urlacher fumbled a punt. It was the Aggies first win in the Duke Citysince 1976, snapping a 10-game skid. NMSU has not won consecutive games at UniversityStadium since 1966 and 68.
Enzminger is 18-of-46 with one interception, 347 yards and six TDs in two career startsagainst the Lobos. Enzminger has thrown a TD pass in excess of 70 yards in each of the past twogames against UNM: 74 yards to P.J. Winston last year and 71 yards to Mike Wakefield in 1999.
UNM HISTORY The University of New Mexico has a 397-466-31 overall record through102 seasons, meaning the Lobos are just three victories shy of 400 wins all-time.
UNM was founded in 1889. Three years later, the first football game was played on Oct. 7,1892, when a team representing UNM played a squad from Albuquerque High School in a vacantlot north of the town’s ice factory. The preps prevailed 5-0.
TEXAS TECH RECAP
Texas Tech used a 100-yard kickoff return in the third quarter to regain momentum and pullaway from New Mexico en route to a 42-30 victory. Following a Lobo field goal that trimmedTechs lead to 21-17, the Red Raiders Ivory McCann fielded the ensuing kickoff eight yards deepin his own end zone. Going against all conventional wisdom, the speedster raced through Lobodefenders virtually untouched into the end zone.
Texas Tech added two more scores – one a 54-yard return of a Holmon Wiggins fumble – tograb an insurmountable 42-17 lead five minutes into the fourth quarter. The Lobos finished withtwo nice scoring drives, culminating in a 4-yard run by RB Jarrod Baxter and a 20-yard pass fromQB Rudy Caamano to WR Rashaun Sanders.
The Lobos took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter on Baxters 3-yard plunge. The score wasset up by Stephen Persleys blocked punt that UNM recovered at the Red Raider 3. Texas Techanswered with 18 straight points and a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
Looking like it would score again before halftime, Texas Tech drove to the Lobo 30. NewMexico turned the tide, though, when LB Gary Davis intercepted a Kliff Kingsbury pass at the 24and returned in 31 yards to the Tech 45. Five plays later, Caamano used an option keeper toscore from five yards out as UNM trailed just 21-14 at intermission.
The Lobos started the second half in good shape, too. A mishandled punt by Tech punterClinton Greathouse gave UNM possession at the Red Raider 9, although the Lobos had to settlefor a 21-yard field goal by Vladimir Borombozin. The back-breaking kickoff return ensued.
TEXAS TECH POSTGAME NOTES RB Jarrod Baxter (Albuquerque) is the first Lobo infour years to have consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Baxter carried 23 times for 106 yardsagainst Texas Tech for his fifth career 100-yard effort. The last Lobo to surpass 100 yards inconsecutive games was Lennox Gordon in 1997. Gordon had 110 yards against NorthernArizona and 146 yards versus New Mexico State. Gordon was also the last back to have threestraight 100-yard games, which he did in 1996. Baxter had a pair of TDs, giving him four in twogames. The 250-pound senior moved into 16th place all-time at UNM with 1,473 career rushingyards. He also had a 39-yard pass reception on a short screen.
Baxter has 290 yards after two games, an average of 145 yards to rank 1st in the MWC andtie for 5th nationally. He also leads the MWC in scoring (12 ppg) and all-purpose yardage (163ypg). It has been 15 years since a Lobo back gained at least 290 yards in successive games. Kevin Burgess tallied 313 yards against Utah (157) and New Mexico State (156) in 1986. Texas Tech gained just 62 yards on the ground, meaning the Lobos have allowed only nine netrushing yards after two games. The average of 4.5 yards a game has UNM No. 1 nationally inrushing defense. UNM yielded less than 100 yards rushing five times last year and has done so inboth games in 2001. The last opponent to total more than 200 yards on the ground against NewMexico was Oregon State last year. The Beavers had 222. The past nine games, opponents areaveraging just 74.4 yards a game via the rush. Five have been held to 62 yards or less. Thelast time UNM scored as many as 30 points and lost was in a 52-31 setback to SMU in 1996.
New Mexico has surpassed 200 yards rushing in back-to-back games for the first time infour years. UNM totaled 211 yards against BYU and 206 yards against Tulsa in November of1997. UNM had 271 yards in the season opener against UTEP and 210 at Texas Tech. TheLobos are 13th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 240.5 yards a game.
The Lobos blocked their sixth punt in the past 14 games. The main rejector is CB StephenPersley (Fort Worth, Texas), who has three of blocks. UNM set a school record with five in2000.
After tying a school record against UTEP with 17 penalties for 122 yards, the Lobos werewhistled just three times for 25 yards against Texas Tech. UNM committed no offensive penaltiesagainst the Red Raiders after 11 miscues against the Miners.
The last time UNM allowed a kickoff return for a TD was five years ago when UTEPsCedric Johnson rambled 100 yards at University Stadium. The last two fumbles returned forscores against UNM have been by Texas Tech: 63 yards by Aaron Hunt in 2000 and 54 yards byPaul McLendon last week.
The Lobos have scored all nine times they have entered the red zone in 2001. UNM hasconverted six TDs and three FGs.
UNM is a +18 in turnover margin the past 11 games. The Lobos have caused 32 turnovers(18 interception and 14 fumbles) over that span, nearly three a game.
New Mexico is a +4 in turnover margin (7 takeaways to 3 giveaways) in 2001, however, theLobo offense has scored just a field goal and a touchdown following the seven takeaways.
Lobo kickers remain perfect after two games, making all four FG tries and all four PATs. Senior K Vladimir Borombozin (Hollywood, Fla.) had a 21-yard FG against Texas Tech and is3-of-3 on the season and 13-of-18 in his career at UNM. Borombozin has connected on eight ofhis last nine FGs going back to last year. True freshman walk-on K Wes Zunker (New Braunfels,Texas) has made his only field goal try of the season, a 51-yarder against UTEP on the firstattempt of his career.
The UNM offensive line has yet to allow a sack. QB Rudy Caamano has attempted 54passes.
GAME-BY-GAME NOTES UTEP (W, 26-6) FB Jarrod Baxter rushed for a career-high184 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the Lobos tied a school record with nine sacks in the26-6 victory over UTEP. Trailing 6-5, UNM grabbed momentum right before halftime as truefreshman Wes Zunker connected on his first collegiate field-goal attempt, a 51-yard boot, to giveNew Mexico an 8-6 lead. The UNM defense held UTEP scoreless the rest of the game, limitingthe Miners to a minus-53 yards rushing, the fourth-stingiest effort in school history. UNM gained271 yards on the ground, 214 of those coming in the second half.
CAPTAINS New Mexicos captains for the 2001 season are FB Jarrod Baxter, QB RudyCaamano, DE Brian Johnson, LB Mohammed Konte and OG Jeremy Sorenson. Baxter was also acaptain in 2000. Captains are selected each year by their teammates.
SEASON TICKET UPDATE Through Friday, Sept. 7, Lobo fans had purchased more13,163 season tickets, easily eclipsing last years total of 12,223. Its the eighth straight yearUNM fans have purchased at least 10,000 season tickets. The single-season record is 14,254 in1998.
INJURY UPDATE Sophomore TE Bryan Penley (right MCL) is expected to miss thisweeks game against New Mexico State.
2001 PREVIEW The Lobos return a solid nucleus of players for the 2001 season as only 11senior position players earned letters in 2000. A total of 40 lettermen are back. Below is abreakdown:
Offense – The strength should be at running back as three of the top rushers are in the fold, and onthe offensive line where four starters are back. Seven starters return in all. Running Back -The Lobos two battering rams – seniors Holmon Wiggins and Jarrod Baxter – return to thebackfield. The duo combined for 1,286 yards and 9 TDs in 2000, and have accummulated morethan 2,500 yards in their careers at New Mexico. Swift-footed Javier Hanson – also a senior -showed breakaway speed the Lobos covet and should receive more reps with the departure of theversatile Ted Iacenda. Iacenda was the Lobos top receiver (28-257) and finished third on theteam in rushing with 201 yards and a pair of scores. Untested newcomers will have to step up tobecome quality reserves such as true freshman Dontrell Moore and junior Quincy Wright attailback and redshirt freshman Landrick Brody at fullback.
Offensive Line – Only OT Jon Samuelson, a three-year starter, is gone from the offensive line. Seniors include QG Jeremy Sorenson and QT B.J. Long. Center Rashad McClure is a two-yearstarter while ST Jason Lenzmeier started the last seven games of 2000 at guard as a redshirtfreshman. Redshirt freshman Claude Terrell has earned the nod at strong guard.
Receiver – The Lobos lost their top two receivers in Iacenda and Rob Caston (22-301), and fourof their top six when you toss in Larry Davis (10-150) and TE Jonathan Burrough (10-88). Theleading returning receivers are senior Kirk Robbins (16-224) and sophomore Dwight Counter(13-147). Only two other returning wideouts – sophomore Terrence Thomas (3-36) and juniorJake Farrel (2-30) – caught passes in 2000. Counter, Thomas and sophomore Rashaun Sandersare expected to start when the Lobos go to a three-wideout set. Also seeing playing time will bejuniors Jake Farrel, Joe Manning, Michael Brunker and Derrick Shepherd.
Quarterback – Junior Rudy Caamano, a starter in UNMs last 10 games, will be under center. Sophomore Casey Kelly and redshirt freshman Jeff Grady are the backups.
Tight End – The Lobos have a hole to fill as Burrough was a three-year starter. Junior Joe Fiolawas used primarily as a blocker last year. Sophomore Bryan Penley and redshirt freshman MichaelAugustyniak will see playing time, too.
Defense – The strength of the 2000 team only returns five starters, but 15 additional lettermenwho saw significant playing time in Rocky Longs unique defense are back in uniform as well. The top three tacklers – Mike Barnett, Dave Mauer, Rantie Harper – have moved on, but eightother Lobos garnered 40 or more tackles last fall.
Defensive Line – The interior line will be led by senior DE Brian Johnson, the Lobos lone firstteam all-conference pick in 2000. Johnson led the league with 9.5 sacks. NT Henry Stephens andDE Jeff Macrea have departed, although Tony Mazotti, Antonio Manning, Adrian Terry, D.J.Renteria and Guillermo Morrrison got reps in 2000. Junior college transfers Hebrews Josue andDaniel Kegler, and redshirt freshman Kyle Coulter fill out the nine-man rotation in the trenches.
Linebacker – Arguably the most talented position for the Lobos. Barnett (83 tackles) and Mauer(82 tackles) were the teams top tacklers and completed their eligibility, but theres plenty offirepower left in Mohammed Konte, Gary Davis, Charles Moss, Shannon Kincaid and AmosWilson, a redshirt in 2000. Redshirt freshmen who could play include Chrishone Harris, FrankRodgers, Nick Speegle and Domingo Villarruel.
Safeties – The wolf, or strong, safety spot has been depleted somewhat with the loss of BrandonRatcliff, last years MWC Co-Freshman of the Year. Ratcliff was declared academically ineligibleprior to the fall semester. The ubiquitous Ratcliff was the Lobos leading returning tackler with 71stops, including eight tackles for losses, plus five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Fillingthe holes now are sophomore Terrell Golden, junior David Hall, senior Edwin Garrett and redshirtfreshman Joe Henderson. The lobo, or free safety, is manned by senior Scott Gerhardt andredshirt freshman Kevin Walton.
Cornerbacks – Senior Stephen Persely, a special-teams phenom who blocked two punts andreturned a pair for scores, is an all-conference candidate. On the other side, transfer DavidCrockett and senior Dante Childress will both see action.
Special Teams – Last years kicker – Vladimir Borombozin – will now handle both punting andplacements. Kickoff duties have been awarded to true freshman Wes Zunker, a walk-on whocame to UNM in August. Wiggins could threaten career punt return records after setting UNMseason standards in 2000. Larry Davis will be missed for his participation on several specialteams. He led the Mountain West in kickoff returns (25.8 yards), posted 18 tackles on kickcoverage and blocked a punt.
2000 RECAP After an 0-3 start, the Lobos won five of their last nine games. UNM went5-1 during one point in the season before dropping its last three games to finish 5-7. UNMwas the best team in the Mountain West Conference in 2000 in rushing defense (115.3 yards),pass efficiency defense (105.7 rating), sacks (50), time of possession (32:33 average) andturnover margin (+0.67/game).
The Lobos had nearly identical records in 1999 (4-7, 3-4 MWC) and 2000, but thecomparison really ended there. UNMs average margin of defeat in seven losses in 2000 was 11.1points compared to 16.9 points in 1999. The difference was even more dramatic in conferencegames: just 8 points in four setbacks in 2000 versus 24.3 points in 1999. According toNCAA figures, New Mexico tied Arizona State by playing the 46th-toughest schedule in thenation during the 2000 season. The Lobos 11 Div. I-A opponents combined for a 60-53 record,a figure that excluded the outcomes against UNM. Among MWC schools, only BYU at No. 41played a more difficult slate than UNM. The Lobos played six bowl teams in 2000, three from theMountain West Conference, plus non-league tilts against Texas Tech, Boise State andnationally-ranked Oregon State. Those last three schools combined for a 26-8 regular-seasonledger. OSU went 10-1 and pounded Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, part of the BowlChampionship Series.
Three of the Lobos four losses in Mountain West Conference play were by 3, 1 and 4points, respectively, and were decided in the fourth quarter.
UNM fell at Colorado State 17-14, when the Rams went 84 yards in 13 plays and scored ona 3-yard run with 6:23 left.
New Mexico led San Diego State 16-0 at halftime only to have the Aztecs rally for a 17-16win. The difference was a Nate Tandberg field goal with 5:27 to go, culminating a 12-play,64-yard drive.
UNLV scored with 18 seconds remaining for an 18-14 victory in Las Vegas. The Lobos hadtaken a 14-11 lead with 3:01 left. The Rebels went 69 yards in 10 plays.
TEAM DEFENSE
Allowing just 20.8 points and 309.4 yards a game, the 2000 Lobos defense was the best,statistically speaking, in 17 years…the 1983 Lobos – when current Mississippi State defensivecoordinator Joe Lee Dunn was the head coach – yielded 19.4 points and 298.1 yards a game…lastyear, UNM allowed 27.1 points and 371.4 yards a game.
New Mexico finished 17th in the nation in total defense, the schools best ranking in 38years…the 1962 WAC champion Lobos also finished 17th, allowing 207.3 yards.
The Lobos allowed less than 21 points a game for only the sixth time in the past 35 years.
New Mexico allowed 6.3 fewer points in 2000 than it did in 1999…thats the biggestone-season drop in eight years since a 13.3 differential from 1991 (39.4 ppg) to 1992 (26.1 ppg).
New Mexico led the MWC and finished second nationally with 50 sacks for 341 yards inlosses, averages of 4.5 a game and 6.9 yards a sack…thats more than twice as many as the 1999total of 23…amazingly, the sack total came from 15 different players.
New Mexico finished 1st in the MWC in rush defense, allowing 115.3 yards a game…theLobos were even better in conference games, yielding only 93.7 yards a game.
The Lobos allowed 20.8 points a game, however, 5 TDs were scored directly after a UNMoffensive turnover or special-teams return…UNM defenders actually allowed just 17.8 ppg. Fifteen players had UNMs 50 sacks…nine Lobos picked off the teams 15 interceptions…19different Lobos posted tackles for losses…16 players deflected passes…the 11 fumbles wererecovered by 9 different Lobos.
Senior LB Mike Barnett led UNM with 83 tackles, the lowest total to lead the team sincethe school began charting official defensive stats in 1970.
With the defensive emphasis in 1999 placed on the shoulders of Brian Urlacher and his 154tackles, New Mexico only had seven players garner 40 or more stops over the 11-gameseason…12 reached that plateau in 2000.
After forcing just two turnovers the first three games, the Lobos created 25 the last ninegames to increase their turnover margin to +8 for the season, a figure that ranked first in theMWC and tied for 20th nationally…the Lobos were opportunistic after opponents miscues thepast nine games as well, scoring 63 points on eight TDs and three field goals.
Nothing was more key to the Lobos success than holding onto the football on offense andforcing turnovers on the defensive side…in the last nine games, New Mexico, 5-4 during thatstretch, was an impressive +14 in takeaways..UNM forced 25 turnovers (14 interceptions, 11fumbles) during that time, while coughing it up just 11 times.
New Mexico had a 5-2 record when it committed fewer turnovers than its opponent.
BLOCK PARTY
After having gone 21 straight games during most of 1998 and all of 99 without blocking apunt, the Lobos established a school season record with five blocks in 2000, including one in threeof the last five games. UNM rejected three in 1940, 48 and 79. The Lobos scored twice onthe blocks – both by CB Stephen Persley – against Oregon State and Air Force. Persley (OregonState/Utah) blocked two while Dave Mauer (Texas Tech), Terrell Golden (Air Force) and LarryDavis (UNLV) had one apiece.
2000 RECORD BOOK
Holmon Wiggins set school records with 46 punt returns and 392 yards on punt returns…theold marks were 42 returns by Chad Smith in 1997 and 324 yards by Randy Rich in 1975…Wigginsaveraged 8.5 yards a return.
Because of Wiggins and the blocks, UNM broke a 54-year-old team record for punt returnyardage in a season…the Lobos amassed 481 return yards in 2000, eclipsing the 448 yards set bythe 1946 Lobos…the Lobos also set a standard with 51 punt returns…the previous record was 48returns in 1980.
THIS AND THAT FROM 2000
For the first time since 1964, UNM held five straight opponents – Wyoming, Colorado State,Air Force, Utah, San Diego State – to less than 300 yards of total offense…the 1964 team keptfoes under 300 yards in 10 consecutive games and led the WAC in total defense, allowing just210.5 yards during a 9-2 season.
The Lobos defeated Wyoming, Air Force and Utah in the same season for the first time since1982 and only the second time in 14 opportunities. Only two backs rushed for more than100 yards against the Lobo defense…UNLVs Jeremi Rudolph carried 19 times for 106 yardswhile Oregon States Ken Simonton had 184 yards on 30 totes.
The Lobos were 3 of 10 on 4th-down plays in 2000, and failed in their last fiveattempts…three of those tries were less than a yard.
In the Lobos five wins, they had the edge in time of possession in every game..UNM led theMWC, averaging 32:33 a game…in its five wins, New Mexico averaged 36:11 time of possession.
GREAT JOB IN SCHOOL
The University of New Mexico football team combined to post a 2.59 grade-point-averageduring the 2001 spring semester. Thats the highest semester GPA by the Lobo gridders since theschool began charting grades in 1988. Two of the top-three semester GPAs have occurred undercurrent head coach Rocky Long. The Lobos had a 2.52 GPA in the spring of 2000.
SUCCESSFUL WALK-ONS
Some of the better-known Lobos began their careers as walk-ons, including three of theLobos five captains. Jarrod Baxter, Brian Johnson and Mohammed Konte all started at UNMwithout athletics scholarships.
Baxter was a walk-on during the fall semester of 1997 under former head coach DennisFranchione. He was placed on scholarship in the spring of 1998. Johnson was a 195-poundwalk-on running back when he came to Albuquerque in the fall of 97. He impressed RockyLong and his staff so much during 98 spring drills that he received a scholarship that fall. Konte,also a redshirt in 97, paid his own way for three years before being placed on aid in the fall of2000.
Newcomers to the walk-on-to-scholarship saga include senior WR Joel Baker, sophomore STerrell Golden, sophomore QB Casey Kelly, senior FB Sulayaman Konte, sophomore S JustinMillea, junior NT Adrian Terry and sophomore WR Terrence Thomas.
STRONGER EVERYDAY UNM director of strength and conditioning Mark Paulsenreported in May that 34 players lifted 300 pounds or more in the power clean during springtesting. The total in 1998 was just 13. Such is the trend for New Mexico football in the weightroom.
There were six players with a squat of 500 pounds or more in 1998, a figure that increasedmore than five-fold to 33 in the spring of 2001. Only four Lobos squatted 550 pounds in 2000compared to 16 this year.
ATTRACTIVE, DEMANDING SCHEDULE
The 2001 Lobo home schedule could arguably be the most attractive in school history. Thesix visitors to Albuquerque compiled a 44-28 record last year, including a 3-1 ledger in bowlgames.
UNMs two oldest rivals – UTEP and New Mexico State – highlight the non-conferencedocket in expanded University Stadium. The top-four teams in the 2000 Mountain WestConference standings – Colorado State, Air Force, UNLV and BYU – all travel to Albuquerque in2001. CSU finished the year 10-2 and No. 14 in the final AP poll. The Rams edged Louisville inthe AXA Liberty Bowl. Air Force was 9-3 and beat Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Classic. UNLV was 8-5 and bounced Arkansas in the EASports Las Vegas Bowl.
On the flip-side is that New Mexico is the only team in the Mountain West Conference thatopens league play with consecutive road games (Utah and Wyoming). BYU plays its first twoMWC contests on the road as well (at UNLV, at UNM), but the Cougars are home against UtahState between road trips.
CLINIC HELPS UNDERPRIVILEDGED KIDS
The eighth annual UNM Womens Football Clinic was held on August 2, with nearly 150football-hungry females attending. Consequently, over 500 Albuquerque area children will beable to see a Lobo football game this year as part of the UNM Send-A-Kid Program, whichprovides tickets for underpriviledged and disadvantaged youth. Since the program was foundedin 1994, over 7,000 children have been able to see a Lobo game in person.
NEW MEXICO STATE PREVIEW
Head coach Tony Samuel is in his fifth season at New Mexico State. The 1979 Nebraskagraduate is 14-33 in all games. He is 2-2 against the Lobos, 1-1 in Albuquerque.
Aggie tailbacks Kenton Keith and Walter Taylor have combined for 387 yards this season. Keith is averaging 88 yards a game, Taylor 70.3. The duo is combining to average 5.3 yards acarry.
New Mexico State opens the season with six of its first seven games on the road, includingtrips to Louisville, Texas and Kansas State. NMSU has just four home games in 2001.
Senior LB DWayne Taylor has 290 career tackles and needs just one more to move into10th place all-time at New Mexico State. Taylor has started all 38 games in his career at NMSU. A partial qualifier out of high school, Taylor was ineligible as a true freshman in 1997. In order toregain a fourth year of eligibility, the Oakland, Calif., native had to graduate in 2001 in four years. He received his degree after summer school and is currently enrolled in graduate school.
ROCKY LONG SAYS
(on the Texas Tech game) — I thought we were right in the game until the kickoff return. That put momentum in their favor. We didnt cover well in the secondary. Their receivers beatour defensive backs. They have a good quarterback who can get the ball in their hands.
(on the UNM offense) — We just have to go to work, keep practicing and try to get better. Our quarterback has to get better and our receivers have to get better. The only way you can dothat is to practice. We cant go out and get another quarterback and we cant get out and getmore receivers so we have to get better at throwing and catching.
(on New Mexico State) — It will be a real dogfight as usual. The record crowd played abig part in the win against UTEP. I hope we get that same kind of support against the Aggies.