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The University of New Mexico finishes the 2001 season with three straight home games, beginning with Saturdays contest against UNLV. Kickoff for the Mountain West Conference encounter is 5:07 p.m. Mountain Time from University Stadium (37,370) in Albuquerque. The game will be televised by SportsWest, which airs locally on KRQE-TV Channel 13. A crowd of more than 33,000 is expected.
UNM is 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the MWC after a narrow 20-15 triumph at San Diego State, the Lobos third straight victory at Qualcomm Stadium. Preseason picks to finish 7th in the league, New Mexico is tied with Colorado State for third place.
After a 1-3 start, UNM is 3-1 in its last four games. The Rebels are 3-6 in all games and 2-3 in the league. UNLV fell to Utah (42-14) last week in Las Vegas. The Utes limited the Rebels to no offensive touchdowns and just 156 yards of total offense.
New Mexico is ending the season with three straight home games for the first time since 1983. UNM won all three of those contests 18 years ago against Wyoming, UTEP and San Diego State to finish 6-6.
Key Matchup: New Mexico is 9th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 80.9 yards a game; UNLV averages 226.6 yards a game on the ground to rank 12th in the nation.
Last Saturdays win snapped a six-game losing streak in November road games. The Lobos had not won an away game in the 11th month since Nov. 1, 1997, a 40-10 win at TCU. UNM is now 2-9 in all November games under head coach Rocky Long.
The Lobos captured win No. 400 last week at San Diego State. In 900 games all-time, UNM is 400-469-31 since it first starting playing football on Oct. 7, 1892.
New Mexico was picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Mountain West Conference by the leagues coaches. UNLV was predicted to place second behind Colorado State.
With the postponement of games on Sept. 15, the Lobos played four straight road games between Sept. 8 and Oct. 6. The only other schools to play four in a row on the road in 2001 were San Jose State and Central Florida. The upside is that New Mexico closes the season with five of its final six games at University Stadium.
New Mexico was the only team in the MWC that had to open the conference season with consecutive road games, at Utah and at Wyoming. BYU had two straight league road games as well – at UNLV and at New Mexico – however, the Cougars had a non-conference home game against Utah State between trips.
UNM finished 5-7 last year in all games and 3-4 in conference play. The five wins are the most in three seasons under head coach Rocky Long and UNMs best record since going 9-4 in 1997. UNLV was 8-5 last year, 4-3 in the MWC. The Rebels won their last three games of the regular season to become bowl eligible, then defeated Arkansas 31-14, at home in the Las Vegas Bowl.
UNM was picked to finish last in the MWC a year ago, but finished in a tie for fifth place. It marked the second consecutive season UNM exceeded preseason predictions. New Mexico was also chosen to finish seventh in 1999, but tied for fifth.
STADIUM SECURITY
To ensure the safety of all fans attending Lobo football games, the following policies will be in effect at University Stadium for the remainder of the 2001 season:
Backpacks or large bags will not be allowed inside the stadium. Diaper bags and purses will be allowed but are subject to search. There will be an increased security presence inside and outside of the stadium.
Stadium gates will continue to open 90 minutes before kickoff, however, due to the implementation of these new policies, all fans are encouraged to enter the stadium at least 30 minutes before kickoff.
TICKETS/PROMOTIONS/SPECIAL EVENTS
Tickets are available at the UNM Athletics Ticket office at The Pit, online at tickets.com, at all Albuquerque-area Raleys stores and at the ticket office at the UNM Bookstore. Fans can also call (800) 905-3315 or 851-5050 locally to purchase tickets through tickets.com. Prices range from $10-$19. Ticket office hours at The Pit 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 evening games and 8:30 a.m. for all games that start at 4 or earlier.
Pizza Hut is the corporate sponsor, while 94 Rock is the media sponsor.
LOBO HISTORY
The University of New Mexico has a 400-469-31 overall record through 102 seasons.
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 vacant lot north of the town’s ice factory. The preps prevailed 5-0.
UNM-UNLV SERIES
Its the 9th meeting in a series that began in 1978 with UNM winning 24-0, in Albuquerque. The Rebels lead 5-3 overall, including 3-0 in Las Vegas. The Lobos have a 3-2 advantage at University Stadium.
Last year at Sam Boyd Stadium, UNLV scored the go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds left to defeat the Lobos 18-14. New Mexico took a 14-11 lead with 3:01 remaining on a Jarrod Baxter 8-yard run. The score was set up by Larry Davis blocked punt. The loss officially eliminated UNM from bowl contention and the MWC race. New Mexico lost despite causing five UNLV turnovers (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles).
The Lobos won two years ago in Albuquerque 27-6, holding a 412-221 advantage in total offense. UNM QB Sean Stein was 24-40 passing for 214 yards and WR Martinez Williams caught 11 passes for 115 yards.
UNLV handed New Mexico its worst home loss ever, a 72-7 pasting on Nov. 1, 1980.
SAN DIEGO STATE RECAP
While not aesthetically pleasing, the Lobos made enough key plays on both sides of the ball to come away with a 20-15 victory at San Diego State. UNM has now won three straight over the Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium.
The clincher came when Lobo DE Brian Johnson sacked Aztecs QB Lon Sherrif on a 4th-and-7 from the San Diego State 43. It was Johnsons first sack of the season after leading the league last year with 9.5 dumps. Lobo Scott Gerhardt also had a sack on SDSUs last drive.
San Diego State only had to travel 29 yards for its first score following a short Lobo punt and 15-yard punt return. Sherrif found Gray McNeill on a 4-yard pass and a 7-0 first-quarter lead. The Lobos answered early in the second period when QB Casey Kelly hooked up with WR Dwight Counter on a 36-yard scoring pass.
After Derrick Shepherd blocked a punt, UNM took over at the Aztecs 18. Unable to gain a first down, the Lobos had to settle for Vladimir Borombozins 37-yard field goal and a 10-7 lead. SDSU tied the score at 10-10 on a 42-yard field goal.
The Lobos found paydirt late in the second quarter when Kelly lofted a picture-perfect 61-yard TD pass to Joel Baker. UNM took a 17-10 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
The only scoring in the third period was SDSUs 36-yard field goal to trim UNMs margin to 17-13. The Aztecs seemed to gain momentum down the stretch after dumping Kelly in the endzone. The safety made the score 17-15 in UNMs favor with 6:43 left.
New Mexico went 3-and-out on its next series. Arguably the biggest play of the game came next when the Aztecs Donte Gamble fumbled the punt and Shannon Kincaid recovered at the SDSU 38 with 2:37 left in the game. The Lobos picked up one first down – on a 19-yard pass to Joe Manning – but again had to rely on the able foot of Borombozin. His 37-yard FG with 2:06 to go forced the Aztecs to score a touchdown of their final drive.
UNM held the nations leading rusher – Larry Ned – to 93 yards on 27 carries. He was averaging 146 yards a game.
LOBO OFFENSE NOTES
A week after enjoying one of their most productive games in school history (52 points/620 yards against Air Force), the Lobos had season-lows for rushing yards (34), total offense (265) and time of possession (25:01) against San Diego State. UNM only had one scoring drive longer than 50 yards.
The Lobos are 3-1 when they lead at halftime. The lone loss came at Baylor. UNM led 7-3, but lost 16-13 in overtime.
Making his fourth collegiate start against San Diego State, sophomore QB Casey Kelly (Portland, Ore.) had a bit of an off-night, completing 12 of 32 passes for 231 yards. He threw one interception, but did toss a pair of TD passes. Kelly is the sixth quarterback – and the fifth starter – used by the Lobos since 1999.
After four games, UNM ranked last in the nation in pass completion percentage (33.6%) and pass efficiency (75.67). Kelly is 69 of 135 (51.1%) for 928 yards, six TDs and seven interceptions in his four starts. The team pass efficiency is now 96.36.
In Kellys four starts, UNM has made 18 scoring drives (10 TDs, 8 FGs) that have averaged 8.8 plays, 59.6 yards and 3:18 time of possession. Seven of the marches have been nine plays or longer. Nine have been 76 yards or more.
UNMs offensive averages with and without Kelly:
RecordRushPassTotalPoints1st 4 games1-3182.2149.2331.521.2Last 4 games3-1164.8236.5401.330.5 UNM has scored in 103 consecutive games, the 15th-longest active streak in the nation. The last team to blank the Lobos was BYU (35-0) on Nov. 7, 1992.
Former walk-on WR Joel Baker (Las Cruces, N.M.) found the endzone for the first time in his Lobo career when he was on the receiving end of a 61-yard TD pass from Kelly at San Diego State. Placed on scholarship in August, the seniors first career receptions came against Air Force when he grabbed 3 passes for 26 yards. In the Lobos 46-23 junior-varsity win over the Air Force JV on Sept. 9, Baker caught 5 passes for 133 yards and 4 TDs (80, 8, 27, 7 yards) from Kelly.
After just four receptions for 128 yards the first four games junior WR Joe Manning (Lancaster, Calif.) has caught 19 passes for 301 yards the past four games. Manning set career-highs of 8 catches, 135 yards and 2 TDs against Air Force.
Senior RB Jarrod Baxter (Albuquerque) was held to 25 yards on 12 carries at San Diego State. The 250-pound workhorse remains in 13th place all-time at UNM with 1,814 career rushing yards. Baxter has 16 career rushing TDs to rank 11th at UNM.
Sophomore WR Dwight Counter (Lancaster, Calif.) caught 4 balls for 69 yards at San Diego State. The past 6 games, Counter has 29 receptions for 535 yards, a robust average of 18.4 yards a reception and 89.2 yards a game. For the season, Counter leads UNM with 35 grabs for 575 yards, 16.4 yards per catch. Last years receiving leader was RB Ted Iacenda, who caught 28 passes for 257 yards.
Coming into the Wyoming game, UNM had converted just 22.4% (15-67) of its 3rd-down tries in 2001. The past four games, the Lobos have made 42% (30 of 72), including a season-best 11 of 18 (61%) against Air Force. The season rate is now 32% (45 of 139).
The Lobos are again struggling to convert on fourth downs. UNM is 3-of-10 (30%) this year, the same as last season.
New Mexico has lost the ball 16 times the past six games (10 interceptions and 6 fumbles). For the season, UNM has turned it over 19 times (11 interceptions and 7 fumbles), equalling the 12-game total from last year. The Lobos last turnover-free game was a year ago against Utah, a span of 12 games.
New Mexico set season highs in virtually every offensive category in the 52-33 win over Air Force: points (52), first downs (32), first downs rushing (16), first downs passing (16), rushing attempts (57), rushing yards (296), pass attempts (41), pass completions (tied with 20), passing yards (324), plays (98), total offense (620), punt return yardage (67), time of possession (39:33) and longest drive (16 plays).
RED ZONE GAME-BY-GAME
New Mexico:UTEP4-4FG, FG, TD, TDat Texas Tech5-5TD, TD, FG, TD, TDat Baylor1-3fumble, FG, fumbleat Utah1-2fumble, TDat Wyoming4-4FG, TD, FG, FGBYU4-4TD, FG, FG, TDAir Force5-6TD, FG, TD, downs, TD, TDat San Diego St.2-2FG, FGTotals26-3014 TDs, 12 FGs, 3 fumbles, 1 on downs
Opponents:UTEP0-0at Texas Tech3-4FG, FG, TD, missed FGat Baylor2-3Interception, TD, FG at Utah4-5TD, missed FG, FG, TD, TD at Wyoming4-4FG, FG, TD, FGBYU2-2FG, TDAir Force3-3FG, FG, TDat San Diego St.2-2TD, FGTotals20-239 TDs, 11 FGs, 2 missed FGs, 1 interception
LOBO DEFENSE NOTES
Just like last year, the Lobos defense is starting to heat up as the season wears on. A look at the past three games:
Rush. Off. Avg.Total Off. Avg.Before UNM-vs. UNMBefore UNM-vs. UNMBYU253 – 107 566 – 365Air Force269 – 112409 – 278San Diego St.162 – 64 336 – 222
UNM has allowed 500 yards the past two games (250 yards a game) and 865 yards the past three games (288 yards a game).
The Lobos now rank 2nd in the MWC and 32nd nationally in total defense, allowing 327.2 yards a game. UNM ranked 50th after six games.
For the second straight season, UNM is leading the MWC in rushing defense. New Mexico ranks 9th nationally, allowing just 80.9 yards a game. Foes are averaging 2.4 yards a carry.
Senior CB Stephen Persley (Fort Worth, Texas) tied a season-high with 5 tackles and he defensed 4 passes in the win at San Diego State. Continually challenged in man coverage, the 5-9 Persley is tied for the MWC lead with 13 passes broken up, including four interceptions. Persley has scored four TDs in his Lobo career on two blocked punt returns, an interception and a fumble.Persley and senior lobo Scott Gerhardt (Oklahoma City, Okla.) are tied for 2nd in the MWC with 4 interceptions. They lead active Lobos with 7 career picks.
Regarded by several media outlets as the top defensive player in the MWC, senior LB Gary Davis (Greenwood, Miss.) had 8 tackles at San Diego State, including two stops for losses. Davis continues to lead the league in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (6). He is fifth in the loop with 70 tackles.
Redshirt freshman LB Nick Speegle (Albuquerque) made 5 tackles at San Diego State, including a 9-yard sack. Although he has started only one time, Speegle is 4th on the team with 42 tackles.
Only three backs have rushed for 100 yards or more against UNM since the start of the 2000 season, a span of 20 games: Oregon States Ken Simonton (184), UNLVs Jeremi Rudolph (106), Utahs Dameon Hunter (177).
LOBO SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Dating to last year, senior K Vladimir Borombozin (Hollywood, Fla.) has converted 14 straight field goals to break Bob Bergs school record of 11 set during the 1974-75 seasons. Borombozins record breaker was a 33-yarder against Air Force on Oct. 27. He is a perfect 12-of-12 in 2001. His last miss was from 54 yards against San Diego State on Nov. 4, 2000. Borombozin has also kicked 21-of-21 PATs, and leads UNM with 57 points scored in 2001.Borombozin is the most accurate kicker in school history, making 22-of-27, or 81%. He has made 17 of his last 18.
Lobo FG kickers are now 14-of-15 for the season. True freshman walk-on Wes Zunker (New Braunfels, Texas), who also kicks off, is the designated foot for tries from beyond 42 yards. Zunker booted a 51-yarder against UTEP on the first attempt of his career and was true from 43 yards at Baylor. His only miss was from 46 yards at Utah.
The Lobos blocked their third punt of the season at San Diego State. Derrick Shepherd was the rejector and has two on the season. Stephen Persley has one as well.
Senior Holmon Wiggins returned 5 punts for 29 yards at San Diego State, increasing his career numbers to 69 returns and 601 yards. The school records are held by Chad Smith: 82 returns and 666 yards.
BOROMBOZIN SEMIFINALIST FOR GROZA AWARD
Vladimir Borombozin has been selected as one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. The award, which is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl, will be given out during a ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Sheraton West Palm Beach Hotel at CityPlace in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The voters for the Lou Groza Award are comprised of all Division I head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters from across the country, conference officials, various NFL kickers, and all previous Lou Groza Award winners. The three finalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced on November 12.
The award, now in its 10th year, is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Nicknamed The Toe, Groza was one of the first people to truly make kicking an art form, and he helped usher into football the idea that a player could be used exclusively for kicking.
SEASON HONORS
Senior RB Jarrod Baxter was named MWC Offensive Player of the Week after the Lobos 26-6 season-opening win over UTEP. Baxter rushed 25 times for a career-high 184 yards and 2 TDs. It ties for the 13th-best rushing effort in school history. Baxter posted a career-long run of 58 yards.
Sophomore S Terrell Golden was named MWC Defensive Player of the Week after UNMs 16-13 overtime loss at Baylor. Golden recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including four for losses.
Senior LB Gary Davis earned MWC Defensive Player of the Weel accolades for his effort against Wyoming, a 30-29 UNM victory. Davis logged a career-best 13 tackles. He made four tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks.
Senior K Vladimir Borombozin was named MWC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the 20-15 victory at San Diego State. Borombozin booted a pair of 37-yard field goals, the final one coming with 2:06 remaining to secure the victory and extend his school record to 14 straight FGs made.
GAME-DAY COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Head coach Rocky Long is joined on the sidelines by assistants Blake Anderson (receivers), Bob Bostad (offensive line), Jeff Conway (special teams/running backs) and Lenny Rodriguez (linebackers). Upstairs in the press box are offensive coordinator Dan Dodd, defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall, tight ends coach Gerald Bradley and defensive line coach Grady Stretz.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Five of the Lobos last eight losses have been by four points or less. UNM lost conference games last year to Colorado State (17-14), San Diego State (17-16) and UNLV (18-14). New Mexico lost a 16-13 overtime game to Baylor earlier this season and to BYU (24-20).
EXPANDED STADIUM A BIG HIT
The 41-year old home of New Mexico football – University Stadium – received its most significant renovation since it was erected in 1960, and its proved to be a smashing success. A record crowd of 41,771 witnessed the Lobos season-opening 26-6 victory over UTEP on Sept. 1, crushing the previous mark of 37,156 for Rice in 1997. UNM is averaging 32,951 fans in 2001.While the expanded stadium has just 37,370 fixed seats, UNM was able to shoehorn nearly 4,000 more fans into the UTEP game by selling 1,000 bleacher tickets in the south end and standing-room-only spots.
A pavilion now connects the east and west stands for the first time. Renovation on the northwest 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 three corners with new facilities.
The highlight of the renovation is a $1.8 million state-of-the-art videoboard at the north end of the stadium. Appropriately named LoboVision, the system has instant replay and live-action capabilities. It was financed through corporate sponsorships from PNM, Bank of the West, Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque Publishing, Comcast, Creamland Dairies and AT&T Wireless.
Manufactured by Daktronics, Inc., the board measures 60 feet high and 61 feet wide. The videoboard is 21 x 28. A staff of 10, including three cameras, is needed to operate the system during a game. Personnel from UNM Media Technology Services handle all game-day production.
2001 GAME-BY-GAME RECAPS
UTEP (W, 26-6)
FB Jarrod Baxter rushed for a career-high 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the Lobos tied a school record with nine sacks in the 26-6 victory over UTEP. Trailing 6-5, UNM grabbed momentum right before halftime as true freshman Wes Zunker connected on his first collegiate field-goal attempt, a 51-yard boot, to give New Mexico an 8-6 lead. The UNM defense held UTEP scoreless the rest of the game, limiting the Miners to a minus-53 yards rushing, the fourth-stingiest effort in school history. UNM gained 271 yards on the ground, 214 of those coming in the second half.
at Texas Tech (L, 42-30)
Texas Tech used a 100-yard kickoff return in the third quarter to regain momentum and pull away for a 42-30 victory. Following a Lobo field goal that trimmed Techs lead to 21-17, Ivory McCann fielded the ensuing kickoff eight yards deep in his own end zone. Going against all conventional wisdom, he raced virtu ally untouched into the end zone. Texas Tech added two more scores to grab an insurmountable 42-17 lead five minutes into the fourth quarter. The Lobos fin ished with two nice scoring drives. Jarrod Baxter had his second straight 100-yard rushing game, carrying 23 times for 106 yards. The last time UNM scored as many as 30 points and lost was in a 52-31 setback to SMU in 1996.
at Baylor (L, 16-13, OT)
Unable to capitalize on several scoring chances, the Lobos fell to Baylor 16-13, in overtime when the Bears booted a 29-yard field goal on their first possession of the extra period. New Mexico scored only three points despite having the ball inside the Baylor 5-yard line on three occasions. UNM fumbled twice, the first error coming at the end of the first half with the Lobos leading 10-3 as QB Rudy Caamano mishandled the snap at the Bears 4 on a first-and-goal. The final miscue came in overtime. UNM had a 4th-and-2 at the BU 3, but RB Jarrod Baxter was stripped of the ball as he was heading into what appeared to be a wide open endzone. New Mexico had yet another drive stall in the first half when two penalties pushed it out of field-goal range. UNM had a first down at the Baylor 20 before the infractions. The Lobos tied the game at 13 with 1:40 left in regulation on Vladimir Borombozins 21-yard field goal. New Mexico had a 2nd-and-goal at the BU 5, but had to settle for the three points. Caamano passed for a career-high 258 yards.
at Utah (L, 37-16)
For the second straight week, the Lobos were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, then couldnt stop the Utah offense in the second as they fell, 37-16. New Mexico trailed 14-7 at halftime, but lost fumbles twice inside the Utah 20. It also was whistled for a dead-ball personal foul after a 27-yard pass play took UNM to the 10-yard line. The drive stalled and the Lobos missed a 46-yard field goal. Momentum switched in UNMs favor during the first part of the third period. After a Utah punt, the Lobos first play of the second half was a 47-yard strike from Kelly to WR Dwight Counter to tie the game at 14. Later, Lobo LB Gary Davis sacked Rice in the end zone for a safety to hand UNM its first lead at 16-14. However, it was all Utah after that. The Utes took the lead on a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter. After three straight incomplete passes by the Lobos, Adam Tate scored on a 46-yard run to give the Utes a 23-16 lead. Utah added two more scores in the final quarter against a tired Lobo defense that was on the field for more than 11 minutes in the third period.
at Wyoming (W, 30-29)
The Lobos held on to beat the Cowboys 30-29, when Jarvis Wallum missed an extra point with 21 seconds remaining. UNM halted a five-game skid in road games and snapped seven-game losing streak to the Pokes in Laramie, winning there for the first time since 1992. UNM led 30-16 with 4:15 left in the game after CB David Crockett intercepted a Casey Bramlet pass and returned it 17 yards for a score. It was the second interception for a TD by UNM on the day. CB Stephen Persley snagged a deflected pass and returned it six yards in the first quarter. The Cowboys staged a dramatic comeback in the final minutes. Bramlet connected with Brock Ralph on a 66-yard strike to trim the Lobos lead to 30-23 with 3:20 left. After UNM failed to pick up a first down, Wyoming took over at its own 27 with no timeouts and 1:29 left. Seven plays and 73 yards later, Malcolm Floyd caught a deflected pass in the end zone to bring UW within a point. Wallums PAT attempt hit the right upright. The Lobos covered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Lobo QB Casey Kelly engineered a nice drive right before halftime. Making his first collegiate start, Kelly marched UNM 80 yards in seven plays, culminating in a 5-yard TD toss to TE Joe Fiola. Kelly was 4-of-4 passing for 71 yards on the drive that gave UNM a 17-6 lead at intermission.
BYU (L, 24-20)
Brandon Doman completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Ord with 3:33 left to hand the 17th-ranked Cougars a hard-fought 24-20 victory. The decisive score was set up when Doman converted a 4th-and-11 situation from the UNM 36. Doman ran for 14 yards on an option keeper. BYU played without standout running back Luke Staley, who was held out over concerns about his eligibility. The Lobos had two chances to regain the lead in the final minutes. One drive ended in an interception. The last try resulted in a failed attempt on fourth-and-13.
UNM took a 7-3 lead midway through the second quarter on a textbook 14-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Jarrod Baxters 1-year TD plunge. Buoyed by a 44-yard kickoff return, BYU regained the lead at 10-7 on a 28-yard wide receiver screen. The Lobos answered with another long drive – 13 plays, 76 yards – to tie the score at 10-10 at halftime. UNM had to settle for a 20-yard Vladimir Borombozin FG despite having 2nd-and-goal at the BYU 2.
The Cougars started the fourth quarter with their own long drive that ended in a 27-yard scoring pass and a 17-13 lead.
Again, UNM countered. A 19-yard scoring toss from WR Derrick Shepherd to RB Javier Hanson on a double-reverse pass gave the Lobos a 20-17 edge with 6:09 left. The razzle-dazzle culminated an 11-play, 80-yard drive. Despite the relative low score, the lead changed hands seven times.
Air Force (W, 52-33)
The University of New Mexico erupted for a season-high 620 yards and 32 first downs en route to a wild 52-33 homecoming victory at University Stadium. The game started on an ominous note for UNM when Air Force QB Keith Boyea kept the ball and raced 65 yards for a touchdown on the games first play from scrimmage. After UNM mishandled a punt, the Falcons were in business again at the Lobo 14, but had to settle for a field goal and a 10-0 lead.
The Lobos answered. QB Casey Kelly hit Joe Manning with a 15-yard TD pass. Kelly gave it right back on UNMs next possession, though, when Wes Crawley returned a misfired Kelly aerial 29 yards for a score to push the lead back to 17-7. The Kelly-Manning tandem connected again, this time from 35 yards out as UNM trimmed the deficit to three points. Another Air Force score and field goals by each team gave Air Force its fourth 10-point lead of the first half at 27-17. Kelly capped an 8-play, 80-yard drive by finding Dwight Counter on an 18-yard scoring pass with 6:54 left before halftime.
UNM took its first lead of the game with 48 seconds left in the half when CB Stephen Persley scooped up an errant option pitch by Boyea and sprinted 25 yards to put the Lobos ahead 31-27. New Mexicos special teams joined in the scoring midway through the third quarter when Holmon Wiggins fielded a punt, broke several tackles and scampered 47 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown and a 38-27 lead. Boyea led the Falcons back, plunging into the endzone from a yard out to cut the lead to 38-33 early in the fourth quarter.
Air Force got no closer though, as the Lobos dominating rushing attack put the game out of reach. Following Boyeas touchdown, New Mexico ground out 64 yards rushing on a season-high 16-play drive, covering 80 yards. RB Jarrod Baxter scored on a seven-yard run. Baxter added another touchdown and the Lobo defense intercepted Boyea twice in the final eight minutes of the game to secure the victory. The staggering numbers in the fourth quarter: New Mexico held the ball for 13:46 and ran a mind-boggling 31 plays for 162 yards of offense. Air Force gained just seven yards on five snaps, covering 1:14 on the game clock. The Lobos had the ball for 22:35 of the second half.
INJURY UPDATE
Reserve OT Justin Colburn suffered a sprained right MCL against Air Force. He is probable for UNLV.
LOBOS IN OVERTIME
The Lobos are 1-2 all-time in overtime games, including a 16-13 setback Sept. 22 at Baylor. UNM played two in 1998, winning a 39-36 triple-OT thriller against Utah State and losing to San Diego State 36-33 in a single overtime.
BLOCK PARTY
With three blocks this season (Stephen Persley against Texas Tech; Derrick Shepherd vs. Baylor/San Diego State), the Lobos have rejected eight since the start of the 2000 season.
After having gone 21 straight games during most of 1998 and all of 99 without blocking a punt, the Lobos established a school record with five blocks in 2000, including one in three of the last five games. UNM rejected three in 1940, 48 and 79. The Lobos scored twice on the blocks – both by Persley – against Oregon State and Air Force. Persley (Oregon State/Utah) blocked two while Dave Mauer (Texas Tech), Terrell Golden (Air Force) and Larry Davis (UNLV) had one.
CAPTAINSNew Mexicos captains for the 2001 season are FB Jarrod Baxter, QB Rudy Caamano, DE Brian Johnson, LB Mohammed Konte and OG Jeremy Sorenson. Baxter was also a captain in 2000. Captains are selected by their teammates.
SEASON TICKETSLobo fans purchased 13,204 season tickets, the second-highest total in school history. UNM sold 12,223 last year. Its the eighth straight year UNM fans have purchased at least 10,000 season tickets. The single-season record is 14,254 in 1998.
GREAT JOB IN SCHOOLThe UNM football team combined to post a 2.59 grade-point-average during the 2001 spring semester. Thats the highest semester GPA by the Lobo gridders since the school began charting grades in 1988. Two of the top-three semester GPAs have occurred under current head coach Rocky Long. The Lobos had a 2.52 GPA in the spring of 2000.
SUCCESSFUL WALK-ONSSome of the better-known Lobos began their careers as walk-ons, including three of the Lobos five captains. Jarrod Baxter, Brian Johnson and Mohammed Konte all started at UNM without athletics scholarships.
Baxter was a walk-on during the 1997 fall semester under former head coach Dennis Franchione. He was placed on scholarship in January of 1998. Johnson was a 195-pound walk-on running back when he came to Albuquerque in the fall of 97. He impressed Rocky Long 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 of 2000.
Newcomers to the walk-on-to-scholarship saga include senior WR Joel Baker, sophomore S Terrell Golden, sophomore QB Casey Kelly, senior FB Sulayaman Konte, sophomore S Justin Millea, junior NT Adrian Terry and sophomore WR Terrence Thomas.
STRONGER EVERYDAY
UNM director of strength and conditioning Mark Paulsen reported in May that 34 players lifted 300 pounds or more in the power clean during spring testing. The total in 1998 was just 13.
There were six players with a squat of 500 pounds or more in 1998, a figure that increased more than five-fold to 33 in the spring of 2001. Only four Lobos squatted 550 pounds in 2000 compared to 16 this year.
CLINIC HELPS UNDERPRIVILEDGED KIDSThe eighth annual UNM Womens Football Clinic was held on August 2, with nearly 150 football-hungry females attending. Consequently, over 500 Albuquerque area children will be able to see a Lobo football game this year as part of the UNM Send-A-Kid Program, which provides tickets for underpriviledged and disadvantaged youth. Since the program was founded in 1994, over 7,000 children have been able to see a Lobo game.
UNLV