July 24, 2003
Continuity, consistency and a commitment to excellence; these are the traits that form the foundation of a truly successful football program. For the past four years, the University of New Mexico football team has steadily climbed the ladder to respectability and now finds itself on the verge of legitimate, enduring success.
New Mexico has the distinction of being the only school in the nation to increase its win total every year since 1999. Picked near the bottom of the Mountain West Conference every season, the Lobos have consistently exceeded expectations under sixth-year head coach Rocky Long. Despite fielding one of the youngest teams in the nation in 2002, New Mexico displayed tremendous mettle, rallying back from a 2-4 start to finish 7-7, earning its first bowl bid in five years and MWC Coach of the Year honors for Long. UNM also finished in sole possession of second place in the Mountain West and came tantalizingly close to its first league title after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll.
“I thought getting to a bowl game vindicated a bunch of young people who turned a season around that was going bad,” said Long. “We played our best football down the stretch and I think with a couple breaks we might have even won the (MWC) championship.”
The story of the 2002 University of New Mexico football team was not a fairy tale. There were no miracles, magic or superheroes in the season’s story. Rather it was a simple tale about a group of blue-collar players and coaches that never wavered in their belief that teamwork, determination and hard work would overcome all obstacles. When adversity surrounded the program, the team simply drew closer and grew stronger. When some observers said the squad was destined for failure early in the season, the Lobo football family never lost faith in itself.
Following consecutive losses to New Mexico State and Texas Tech, UNM was floundering at 2-4. Senior TB Quincy Wright – he of the nearly 500 rushing yards in three-plus games – was lost for the year with a torn ACL. Junior QB Casey Kelly had his left (non-throwing) arm broken in the first half against the Red Raiders and was feared lost for the season. Still, the Lobos refused to go quietly into the night. Players like senior quarterback Justin Millea, sophomore offensive guard Claude Terrell and redshirt freshman DonTrell Moore stepped up and carried the UNM flag.
A former walk-on who played primarily on special teams the previous two years, Millea was thrust into the starting lineup versus UNLV in place of the injured Kelly. In his first start under center in five years, since he was a senior at Silver City (N.M.) High School, Millea rushed for 148 yards on 20 carries to lead UNM to an improbable 25-16 victory.After missing a critical extra point to seal the Lobos’ devastating 45-44 overtime loss at Utah State, walk-on kicker Kenny Byrd sank to his knees as the Aggies celebrated around him. There to comfort the shaken freshman, however, was the 6-3, 330-pound Terrell, who walked with his arm around the 150-pound kicker the length of the field back into the UNM lockerroom. The Lobos’ dedication and heart clearly did not die with the loss and served them well in the following month.
Then there was Moore, who stepped onto the collegiate stage for the first time and simply picked up where Wright left off. The Roswell, N.M. native averaged 141.7 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns over the final six games of the regular season and finished with 1,134 yards on the ground (third among NCAA D-I freshmen) to clinch MWC Freshman of the Year honors. The ground-oriented offensive resurgence combined with a revitalized defensive effort fueled the Lobos’ late-season run.
They reeled off consecutive wins against San Diego State (15-8) and BYU (20-16) – the first victory in Provo in 31 years – as the defense yielded no touchdowns in those eight quarters. UNM outplayed Colorado State statistically in a battle for the conference title, but the Rams were able to clinch the crown on their home field with a hard-fought 22-14 win. As they had done so many times before, the Lobos regrouped and blitzed Wyoming, 49-20, in the finale to take second in the MWC.
New Mexico got its well-deserved chance to shine on Christmas Day in the SEGA Sports Las Vegas Bowl. Despite falling 27-13, UNM left a lasting impression on both the Bruins and the ESPN national television audience. After losing Moore to an ankle sprain early in the contest a tenacious Lobo defense held UCLA to just 167 yards, 206 below its season average, and one offensive touchdown.
“The biggest benefit of playing in the bowl game was the reward our team received for a great second half of the season,” said Long. “For our program, the guys that didn’t play in the game had a chance to get a whole lot better fundamentally as well as scheme-wise with the extra practice days available.”
Unlike years past, the 2003 Lobos return virtually intact and poised to build upon Long’s carefully constructed foundation of success. With fifty-three letterwinners (20 on offense), including 25 starters, returning, New Mexico appears to have the talent and experience necessary to take another step forward this fall.
“We got a lot of work done this spring and got a lot of the younger players reps without getting anyone hurt,” said Long. “I think that’s a successful spring and I hope we can build off it this fall. We have solid depth and experience at several positions and I think there is a level of competition in practice that wasn’t there before. In order for us to continue to improve as a football team though, we still need to make more plays and execute consistently.”
While some questions, particularly in the defensive secondary, will need to be answered during preseason practice, high expectations will likely greet UNM when it opens the 2003 season. Long and his Lobos, however, have displayed an unwavering commitment to their championship goals. They know that one bowl game does not make a dynasty and no reward comes without hard work. Regardless of what praise or criticism may come, the identity of the New Mexico football team is rock solid: Cherry and Silver with a blue collar attitude. Building upon Long’s simple, yet powerful philosophy, the University of New Mexico is ready to establish itself, as not just a solid team, but a truly successful football program.
OFFENSE
The Lobo offense endured a roller coaster season in 2002, showing outstanding potential, but often struggling with inconsistency. Many of the ups and downs were to be expected on an offensive unit that featured just one senior starter and saw early season injuries claim its starting running back for the year, and starting quarterback for two weeks. UNM offensive coordinator Dan Dodd did perhaps his finest job, implementing a dazzling array of offensive packages and formations to keep the young, inexperienced Lobo offense afloat in the face of tremendous adversity. By season’s end, New Mexico had established a strong ground-based offensive identity and foundation for future success.
Led by the skill and courage of senior quarterback Casey Kelly, a budding star in sophomore running back DonTrell Moore and perhaps the premier offensive line in the Mountain West Conference, the UNM offense should be both more potent and more consistent in 2003. Dodd and Long have both said that improved consistency at the wide receiver spot will be key this fall. Judging from the spring practice results, however, the talent is certainly there to take a giant step forward this season.
Perhaps the biggest advantage the UNM offensive unit has going into the season is its tremendous depth and experience. Twenty-five offensive letterman and 10 starters return in 2003. Plus, the Lobos will gain the services of several transfers and redshirt freshmen who could make an immediate impact this fall.
Quarterbacks
New Mexico has perhaps the most talent and experience at quarterback than any previous year under Rocky Long. Kelly returns for his third year as the UNM starter and is the heart and soul of the Lobo offense. After suffering a broken bone in his left, non-throwing arm against Texas Tech, Kelly was feared lost for the season. However, just three weeks later, he was back on the field playing with a soft cast wrapped around a six-inch metal rod inserted into his forearm. Kelly’s efficiency actually improved after the injury as he directed the UNM attack with a strong, accurate arm, surprisingly quick feet and a powerful grasp of the UNM system. The former walk-on completed 57.6 percent of his passes and tallied 14 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also rushed for six touchdowns and churned out a career-high 84 yards on the ground in the Lobos’ bowl-clinching victory over Wyoming.
Kelly’s resiliency was tested again during the spring when he was forced to undergo an emergency appendectomy midway through the spring practice schedule. True to form, the Lobo signal-caller was back in uniform less than a week later and even competed in New Mexico’s Cherry-Silver spring game.
This season Kelly will have two capable backups in junior transfer Tali Ena and redshirt freshman Kole McKamey, both of whom will enter the fall even on the depth chart after a spirited spring battle. The 6-5 Ena transferred from Washington State last spring and immediately displayed tremendous arm strength, leadership and play-making ability in practice. Named 2002 Offensive Scout of the Year by his teammates, Ena will have a greater opportunity to advance as his knowledge of the offense catches up with his physical talent.
Meanwhile, McKamey showed great promise and versatility as both a running and throwing threat in his first collegiate season. The coaching staff was also impressed with the toughness he displayed this spring, particularly his gutty performance playing through a shoulder separation in the Cherry-Silver game. According to Dodd, the multidimensional quarterback will likely play a role similar to departed senior Justin Millea, as a part of the weekly gameplan engineering certain option packages. McKamey’s continued maturity gives UNM the luxury of having three starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster.
“Casey is our starting quarterback and it will be difficult, not impossible, to beat him out,” said Long. “Now with Tali Ena and Kole McKamey, we think we have some very talented young men at quarterback. There will be a level of competition that wasn’t there before, but I think Casey will thrive on the competition and probably be a much better quarterback because of it.”
Running Backs
Entering the 2002 spring practice season, the running back group was filled with question marks and concerns. One year later, New Mexico boasts one of the top rushing attacks in the MWC. The Lobos began the season riding the back of seldom used senior Quincy Wright, who burst onto the scene with 475 yards rushing in the first three games, including a school record 265 yards against Weber State. However, UNM was forced back to the drawing board, when Wright suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the fourth game versus Baylor. Enter much-heralded redshirt freshman DonTrell Moore, who, after a bit of a slow start, went on to turn in one of the finest rushing seasons in Lobo history. Over the last 11 contests Moore rushed for 1,134 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to earning MWC Freshman of the Year honors and becoming the first Lobo rookie ever voted first team all-conference.This season, Moore will look to improve his all-around game, particularly his ball control and pass protection skills, as he continues his development. The future is bright for Moore as he polishes his overall skills. With the agility to leave defenders grasping for air and the strength to run through arm tackles, Moore is a threat every time he touches the ball. This year, however, Moore won’t have to carry the team rushing load by himself. Long said he believes the addition of junior transfer D.D. Cox (Oklahoma State) as well as the presence of rushing fullbacks Landrick Brody and Adrian Byrd should only help Moore’s progression.
“I think we’re adding some quality at running back and the higher level of competition, as well as the opportunity to rest, will only make DonTrell better,” said Long. “He’s going to be a much better running back his next three years than he was his first year. He’ll understand defenses better, we’ve emphasized ball security a lot with him and I think DonTrell’s the first to admit this, but great running backs have good offensive lines.”Cox enjoyed a fine spring, leading the team in rushing in each of the scrimmages and displaying an excellent burst up the field. Like Moore, Cox brings a nice combination of size and speed, and should see the field often to give the Lobos a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield this fall.
Brody showed vast improvement as a ball-carrier this spring, bringing tremendous power to the running game in addition to solid blocking skills. Weighing in at 240 pounds and deceptively quick, Brody generally gets the best of the collisions that occur with the ball in his hands. Byrd, meanwhile, is a tremendous physical presence, who must overcome the various injuries that have plagued his young career.
Wide Recievers
“I think we have some talented and experienced players at wide receiver, but last year we didn’t play consistently,” said Long. “In order for us to be a lot better on offense than we were last year, we’re going to have to count on our wide receivers to make a lot more big plays. I think to be a more balanced offense, which is harder to defense and is able to score more points, we have to get more consistent at wide receiver.”
If the spring is any indication, the Lobo receivers are set to turn the corner this fall. As a unit, the receivers increased their focus and execution, and displayed a big-play ability on the field during the spring season. With five seniors among the top-six players in the rotation, there is ample experience to go along with solid talent.
Senior Dwight Counter appears ready to be the Lobos’ “go-to guy” this season after hauling in over 30 passes each of the past two years. The 6-3 Counter has shown flashes of brilliance in his career as he has steadily climbed to ninth on the all-time list in catches (91) and 11th in yards (1,325). He has also displayed much-needed explosiveness in the passing game, as he is the only Lobo with two scoring passes of 80 yards or more in a career.
“For us to be successful on offense, Dwight’s going to have to have a great year,” said Long. “It’s been my experience though that you can take away one great wide receiver, defensively. So we’re going to need balance and great years from all our wide receivers.”
Fellow senior Adrian Boyd enjoyed a fine 2002 season after making the switch from running back and should be much improved in his second tour of duty as a wideout. The versatile Boyd was third on the team with 27 catches for 323 yards and used his running back skills very effectively in the Lobos’ fly-motion series, gaining 238 yards on the ground. During the spring, the speedy receiver showed a knack for the big play and also worked diligently to improve his blocking ability.
Seniors Rashaun Sanders and Terrence Thomas each had perhaps the best spring of their collegiate careers and seem poised to make a real impact this season. According to the coaching staff, both Sanders and Thomas will push for a starting job during preseaon practice. Sophomore Hank Baskett has a tremendous upside and an intense desire to improve. At 6-4, 215 and a two-time all-MWC high jumper for the UNM track team, Baskett is an impressive physical presence who should play a more prominent role in the passing attack. Meanwhile, Brunker has bulked up to 189 pounds and will look to provide a consistent target this fall.
Offensive Line
It’s no mystery why both Quincy Wright and DonTrell Moore enjoyed similar success in 2002 running behind the Lobo offensive line. Possesing an average size of 6-4 1/2 and 318 pounds, the New Mexico “Hitmen” were one of the most physically intimidating units in the country. The Lobos starting five also thrived on their balance across the line and brought a tremendous amount of confidence and pride to the field each Saturday. The unit not only paved the way for some of the top rushing performances in school history, but did a fine job protecting the quarterback, allowing just 17 sacks in 14 games (14 in the regular season).
This year, the foundation of the Lobo offense will be stronger than ever as the entire starting five of senior tackle Jason Lenzmeier (second team all-MWC), junior guard Claude Terrell (second team all-MWC), sophomore center Ryan Cook, senior guard Calvin McDonald and senior tackle Justin Colburn all return bigger, stronger and more experienced.
“It’s definitely a positive for our football team that all five starters, as well as a starter that was hurt, are coming back,” said Long. “I think there’s good depth and really good experience there. I thought they were the most consistent part of our football team last year, but with that comes added pressure that they need to be better and more consistent this year too.”
Lenzmeier and Terrell enter their third year together on the strong side of the line. The duo has started 24 of the past 25 games side-by-side and will anchor the offensive line once again this fall. On the opposite end, Colburn continues to add weight to go along with his quick feet and tenacious attitude. A former walk-on, Cook displayed improvement during the spring and should only continue his progression as he enters his second year in the middle. Meanwhile, McDonald did a nice job of improving his level of play this spring after receiving a strong challenge from redshirt freshman Robert Turner. At 6-3, 320, Turner is one of several reserve linemen who will help give New Mexico tremendous depth this fall. Senior Nate Hembree, who started the first six games at quick tackle last year before suffering a torn ACL, sophomore Terrance Pennington and redshirt freshman Marty Moss are just a few of the names who could step in and contribute if needed.
Tight Ends
Reliable senior Bryan Penley leads a solid tight end group that returns virtually intact from 2002. An excellent blocker, Penley also recorded 17 catches for 171 yards and a team-high three touchdown receptions last fall, the most receptions by a Lobo tight end since 1998. As a unit, the UNM tight ends caught 27 passes for 284 yards and four TDs, compared to the 2001 numbers of just six catches for 37 yards.
Senior Zach Cresap started five games opposite Penley last season and pulled in eight catches for 84 yards. Bringing tremendous receiving skills to the group, Cresap’s role could increase with continued improvement in his blocking techniques. At 6-5, 256 junior Mike Augustyniak has the physical tools to become a force at tight end, but simply needs to improve his concentration and execution on the field. Ryan Rice, a special teams player and former fullback, moved over to tight end during the spring and impressed the coaches with his work ethic and quick development.