SPRING (WINTER) KICKOFF: The University of New Mexico will hit the field for the first day of spring football practice on Monday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. at the Lobo practice fields. The first three practices will be in shorts and helmets, and the first day in pads will be on Friday, Feb. 15. For the second consecutive year, UNM will be one of the first teams to start spring drills this season. New Mexico started sring practice last year on February 12. Practices will run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-5 p.m for three weeks, with the annual Cherry-Silver spring game scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 2, at 4p.m. at University Stadium. Spring drills will conclude with practices on Monday, Mar. 4 and Tuesday, Mar. 5.
“I was happy with the results we had last year starting so early, so I want to continue to do it this way,” head coach Rocky Long said. “Overall, it was a positive experience. The practice sessions were great, but I think it even helped us more in the offseason in terms of strength training and conditioning.”
PERSONNEL PICTURE: New Mexico returns 40 letterman and 14 starters from a squad that went 6-5 in 2001, including a 4-3 mark in conference, tying Utah for third place. It was the first winning season for the Lobos under head coach Rocky Long, and only the fifth winning season since 1979.
New Mexico signed17 student-athletes to national letters of intent on national signing day, Wednesday, Feb. 6. The Lobos received eight letters from high school players, including two from the state of New Mexico. Nine junior college players also signed with the Lobos, with six of those players already enrolled at UNM and eligible for spring ball.
We received a much better response from junior college guys than we expected. I dont think we expected to sign nine and have seven enroll in January, so that was a real plus. Its great having them participate in off-season conditioning and spring practice. The transfers that did that last year made an impact last fall. As is the case with all junior college signees, we expect them to compete for our top-44 spots immediately.
2002 NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES
|Transfers (9)|Pos.|Ht.|Wt.|Class|Hometown (Last School)||Zach Cresap*|TE|6-3|240|Jr-Tr|Gilbert, Ariz. (Mesa CC)||Fola Fashola*|LB|6-0|210|Jr-Tr|Marshall, Texas (Kilgore College)||Daniel Gawronski*|LB|6-0|247|Jr-Tr|Marshville, N.C. (Copiah-Lincoln JC)||Casey Hamilton*|DL|6-0|261|Jr-Tr|Alto, Texas (Kilgore College)||Joel Paoli*|CB|5-9|180|Jr-Tr|San Juan, Puerto Rico (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)||Zach Rupp*|DE|6-5|240|Jr-Tr|St. George, Utah (Dixie State College)||Billy Strother|LB|6-0|230|Jr-Tr|Evansville, Ind. (West Hills CC)||Jimmie Taylor|LB|6-1|221|So-Tr|Miami, Fla. (Hutchinson CC)||Sidney Wiley*|S|5-11|185|Jr-Tr|Hazelhurst, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln JC)|
|High School (8)|Pos.|Ht.|Wt.|Class|Hometown (Last School)||Justin Clayton|S|5-10|190|Fr.|Los Angeles, Calif. (Venice HS)||Blaine Harrell|S|6-1|190|Fr.|Fort Worth, Texas (Everman HS)||Patrick Hodges|OL|6-5|295|Fr.|Ruidoso, N.M. (Ruidoso HS)||Kole McKamey|QB|6-2|185|Fr.|Artesia, N.M. (Artesia HS)||Marty Moss|OL|6-4|310|Fr.|Lubbock, Texas (Estacado HS)||Dedrick Simien|S|6-1|190|Fr.|Taylor, Texas (Taylor HS)||Fred Tucker|OL|6-4|330|Fr.|Houston, Texas (Lamar HS)||Robert Turner|OL|6-4|330|Fr.|Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)|
Long also announced that the following two student-athletes will be placedon scholarship in the fall semester of 2002:
Ryan Cook*OL6-5330Fr-RSAlbuquerque (Cibola HS)Wes Zunker*K5-9165So-1LNew Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)
* currently attending UNM
OFFENSE NOTES: New Mexico returns seven starters from an offense that averaged 27.6 points in 2001, up 8.5 points per game from 2000. UNM’s total offense jumped from 266.6 yards a game in 2000 to 376.8 yards in 2001. The Lobos have experienced returnees at all positions but tailback and fullback, positions that will be looked at extensively this spring to replace the talented trio of Jarrod Baxter, Javier Hanson and Holmon Wiggins. Casey Kelly started the final seven games of the season at quarterback and has already been named the starter; Dwight Counter and Joe Manning lead a talented group of receivers; Jason Lenzmeier, Rashad McClure and Claue Terrell have combined for 59 starts and 68 games on the offensive line; and Bryan Penley has started five games and played in 22 at tight end. Along with looking for starters in the backfield, UNM coaches will look to add some depth to the offensive line and try to find a solid backup quarterback to Kelly. Sophomore Jeff Grady and redshirt freshman Kyle Kristick will battle for that spot in the spring.
DEFENSE NOTES: Like the offense, the defense returns seven starters from its outstanding defense of 2001, a unit that ranked 18th nationally in total defense allowing just 310.8 yards per game. The Lobos lose several key seniors who not only produced statistically, but provided quality leadership to this team. Despite the loss of the senior class, UNM returns a solid group of veterans and underclassmen, that range from starters to special teams players.
New Mexico’s main concern heading into spring on the defensive side of the ball is to find a cornerback to replace all-conference CB Stephen Persley, and add some depth throughout the defense, especially at linebacker. Honorable mention all-conference selection Charles Moss and Nick Speegle, a Freshman All-America by The Sporting News, will man the middle, but the after that there is talent, but little experience at the position. Defensive line has three players who started and played significant minutes (Daniel Kegler, Hebrews Josue, D.J. Renteria) and two JC recruits who also will compete for time. Safety returns starters Terrell Golden and David Hall at two spots, but will look to Kevin Walton and JC transfer Sidney Wiley to man the lobo position.
POSTSEASON HONORSLB Nick Speegle and OG Claude Terrell were both named to Freshman All-America teams. Speegle was named a third team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News. Despite starting just four times, Speegle was fourth on the team with 60 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks. Terrell was Freshman All-America pick by the Football Writers Association of America. He started 10 of 11 games last year and played 757 of 848 offensive snaps. His 86 knockdown blocks tied for third on the team. Additional postseason accolades for returning Lobos:
Honorable mention all-MWC, Coaches
WR Dwight CounterOT Jason LenzmeierLB Charles Moss
Honorable mention all-MWC, conference media
WR Dwight CounterCB David CrockettS Terrell GoldenOT Jason LenzmeierC Rashad McClureLB Charles Moss
2002 Tentative Schedule
Aug. 31Weber StateSept. 14BaylorSept. 21at New Mexico StateSept. 28Texas TechOct. 12at Utah StateSan Diego State*Utah*Wyoming*at Air Force*at BYU*at Colorado State*at UNLV*
* Mountain West Conference game
The 2002 Mountain West Conference schedule is expected to be released in early February. All dates subject to change. All times TBA.
UNM WINS FOUR OF LAST FIVE TO POST WINNING SEASON: After being picked to finish seventh in the MWC in late-July, the Lobos tied Utah for third place with a 4-3 mark, their best conference finish since winning the 97 WAC Mountain Division title at 6-2 . The Lobos have increased their win total in each of Longs four seasons at New Mexico, a feat that has never happened in school history: three in 1998, four in 1999, five in 2000 and six in 2001.The 2001 season was the third straight year that UNM has exceeded preseason prognostications. The Lobos were picked to finish last in the MWC in 2000, but tied for fifth. The guess was seventh in 1999, but New Mexico again tied for fifth. The Lobos set school records for total attendance (187,608) and average attendance (31,268 in six games) in 2001. The previous records were 183,972 and 30,662 set in 1997. UNM averaged 23,656 fans in 2000, meaning attendance jumped 32%, which could be one of the largest percentage increases in the country. New Mexico has finished in the top-20 in total defense each of the past two seasons, a first for the program. UNM finished 18th in 2001, allowing 310.8 yards a game. The Lobos were 17th in 2000, yielding 309.4 yards.For the second straight season, UNM led the MWC in rushing defense. The Lobos ranked 5th nationally – best in school history – allowing just 87.4 yards. Its the first time since stats became official in 1946 that UNM has given up less than 100 yards on the ground for an entire season. Offensively, UNM averaged 27.6 points in 2001, which is 8.5 points more than in 2000 when it logged just 19.1 points a game. Thats the largest increase in 12 years, since 1988 (14.2 ppg) to 1989 (24.8 ppg).The Lobos total offense also jumped from 266.6 yards a game in 2000 to 376.8 yards in 2001, an increase of 110.2 yards.
NEWCOMERS MAKE IMPACT
The Lobos signed nine junior college for the 2000 season. Three were redshirts in 2001, while the other six all made large contributions:
WR Michael Brunker – redshirt
CB David Crockett – started 9 games at cornerback…4th in the MWC with 14 pass breakups, including 3 interceptions, one he returned for a TD
S Brandon Gregory – reserve defensive back who played mostly on special teams
S David Hall – safety who played in all 11 games with 6 starts…8th on the team with 34 tackles
NT Hebrews Josue – started all 11 games at nose tackle…24 tackles
DE Daniel Kegler – played in all 11 games with 4 starts…21 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and forced 2 fumbles.
OL Calvin McDonald – redshirt; will have three seasons left beginning in 2002.
OL Danny Perez – redshirt
WR Derrick Shepherd – played in all 11 games…had 8 catches for 84 yards and a 19-yard rushing TD…completed 1 pass for a 19-yard TD…blocked 2 punts…made 5 tackles on special teams.
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 it 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 averaged a school-record 31,268 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 in October of 2000 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.
LOBO HISTORYThe University of New Mexico has a 402-470-31 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.