Aug. 17, 2005
Defense
New Mexico has quietly developed a defensive dynasty under head coach Rocky Long and defensive coordinator Osia Lewis. Though the Lobos’ defensive dominance has gone somewhat unnoticed by the national media, the statistics tell a different story. UNM is one of just three teams to finish in the top-30 in NCAA Division I in total defense each of the past five seasons, along with Big 12 powers Oklahoma and Texas. New Mexico has led the Mountain West in sacks five straight seasons and led the league in rushing defense four of the past five years. While other programs may gain more notoriety because of a few star players on defense, Long’s system is built upon a relentless, gang-tackling philosophy.
“I think it’s just players that believe in a system, learn the system and play hard,” said Long. “There’s no magic other than players making very few assignment errors and playing to the best of their athletic ability.”
After losing seven starters, including six all-Mountain West Conference performers, the Lobo defense was generally considered the team’s Achilles heel entering the 2004 season. The end result, however, was quite the opposite. New Mexico led the MWC in rushing defense (108.2 ypg), total defense (323.2 ypg), scoring defense (18.7 ppg) and sacks (42), while finishing second with 28 turnovers forced. UNM held a Texas Tech team, which hung 70 points on TCU and Nebraska, to a mere 24, then limited Utah to 28 points. The Utes went on to the finish the season undefeated and score at least 45 points in each of their final six league games.
As usual, it was a team-oriented defense as 12 Lobos recorded tackles for loss, 10 had sacks, 15 broke up a pass and nine recovered a fumble, while only one player (senior linebacker Fola Fashola) ranked among the MWC’s top-10 in tackles. Five players, however, went on to earn first or second team all-conference honors, including senior cornerback Brandon Payne whose nation-leading 23 passes defended also resulted in All-America honors.
This year’s defensive unit has the potential to be among the best in Long’s tenure with six starters and 19 lettermen returning in 2005, including first team all-MWC nose tackle Marcus Parker, second team cornerback selection Gabriel Fulbright and linebacker Michael Tuohy, a Freshman All-American pick last year. Some new faces will need to step up to fill voids at linebacker and safety, but Long said he is confident that New Mexico has the depth and talent to keep the defensive performance among the nation’s best.
“There’s an expectation level that has been developed here and the young guys who are moving up understand those expectations” Long said. “I have confidence that we have enough athletes to continue to play pretty good defense, as long as they continue to play with the same enthusiasm and effort as their predecessors.”
Defensive Line
Perhaps the most impressive group of the Lobo defense last year was its undersized and overachieving defensive line. Too short, too light and too inexperienced on paper, the New Mexico frontline – under Lewis’ tutelage – emerged as one of the best in the Mountain West in 2004. While the Lobos will miss the energy and tenacity of defensive end Kyle Coulter, UNM returns a pair of senior starters in nose tackle Marcus Parker (Garland, Texas) and defensive end Evroy Thompson (Hockley, Texas). Another veteran in senior defensive end Adam Garday (Peoria, Ariz.) is also back, giving the Lobos’ a strong, experienced core.
Marcus Parker returns as one of the country’s most explosive and athletic interior defensive linemen. |
“We were undersized last year and we’re still undersized, but in the style of defense we play, if they play with the same kind of enthusiasm and effort, they can get a lot of things done,” Long said.
Primarily a defensive end in his first two years, the 6-2, 269-pound Parker moved inside to nose tackle and played a critical role in the success of the UNM defense. His ability to occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage opened up lanes for New Mexico’s blitzing linebackers and safeties. The blockers were rarely able to slow him down, however, as Parker lead all MWC defensive linemen with seven sacks (five solo, four assisted) and notched 12 tackles for loss to go along with 10 quarterback hurries. One of the country’s most explosive and athletic interior defensive linemen, Parker’s continued improvement this season will be a tremendous benefit for all of his defensive teammates.
“If you are going to play a three-man front, you have to have a really good guy at nose guard,” Long said. “If he demands a double team, it allows the whole defense to work. Marcus was that guy for us last year. He played really well and was a big reason we were able to do the things we did on defense.”
Thompson, meanwhile, proved to be one of the Lobos’ best stories of 2004, fighting his way back onto the field after going nearly five years without game action due to an ACL injury and subsequent Mormon mission. Following a stint at linebacker during spring practice, Thompson found a home at end and eventually a place in the starting lineup last year. Despite measuring just 6-0, 254 pounds, he emerged as a legitimate playmaker during the conference season, finishing with six tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. With his combination of quickness, leverage and pure determination, Thompson should continue to make a real impact up front in 2005.
The powerful 6-2, 253-pound Garday turned in an outstanding spring practice season and established himself as the clear starter opposite Thompson, replacing sophomore Michael Tuohy who moved to linebacker. Garday appeared in all 12 games last fall after transferring from Scottsdale Community College and has shown marked improvement entering his second year of Division I competition.
A pair of former walk-ons in 6-1, 249-pound junior nose tackle Billy Brittain (Albuquerque, N.M.) and 6-3, 239-pound sophomore end Stephen Hutchison (Elgin, Texas) also established themselves as solid members of the defensive line rotation during the spring. Brittain could be one of the most improved players in the program, proving his ability to step in and man the middle in relief of Parker whenever needed. Hutchison, meanwhile, saw special teams action in all 12 games last year and appears to have a bright future at defensive end.
Long also signed a pair of good-sized junior college transfers in 6-3, 254-pound Ryan Boyd (Sacramento, Calif.) and 6-4, 233-pound Tyler Donaldson (Lawrenceville, Ga.). Both players got a valuable head start by participating in spring practice and will be factors during fall camp. Donaldson, in particular, displayed tremendous promise and is expected to contribute right away as his conditioning improves.
Linebackers
With New Mexico’s shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment last year, the production and depth of the linebacker corps has taken on added significance. One of the strengths of the team in 2004, the Lobos’ featured three senior starters at linebacker in Fola Fashola, Nick Speegle, a sixth round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, and Chrishone Harris, who combined for 237 tackles and 29.5 tackles for loss. Fashola and Speegle, in particular, were the heart and soul of the UNM defense, playing virtually every snap in every game. While their absence leaves big shoes to fill, the talent is there to give New Mexico one of the Mountain West’s top linebacker groups once again.
Mike Mohoric earned preseason all-MWC honors after recording seven sacks and a team-high 17 QB hurries last fall. |
“There is a concern going into this year that we don’t have the experience that we had last year and we don’t have proven playmakers,” Long said. “It’s like the defensive line was last year. We have to have some inexperienced guys step up and become playmakers.”
Senior inside linebacker Mike Mohoric (Albuquerque, N.M.) is the lone returning starter and will be the centerpiece of the unit. A former walk-on, Mohoric enjoyed a breakout season and was one of the best new starting linebackers in the league in 2004. He finished third on the team with 83 tackles, including 11 for loss, and was a consistent force throughout the season. Few players in the MWC were as dangerous to opposing quarterbacks as the 6-3, 239-pound Mohoric, who notched seven sacks and team-high 17 quarterback hurries on the year. Displaying outstanding speed and strength, he also broke up six passes and forced two fumbles. This year, Long said the coaching staff expects Mohoric to raise his performance to another level and lead the unproven unit by example.
Promising junior Quincy Black (Chicago, Ill.) will enter the fall in Speegle’s former outside linebacker spot after seeing ample time off the bench last fall. An impressive physical presence at 6-3 and 232 pounds, Black proved to be a real steal for New Mexico after transferring from Harper College in June of 2004. He appeared in every game and developed into one of the team’s most ferocious wedge-busters on kickoff coverage. Possessing tremendous speed and power, coaches and players alike think Black could be a standout linebacker once he masters the defensive system.
Sophomore Cody Kase (Valencia, Calif.) will also open fall camp in the starting lineup for the first time, pencilled in next to Mohoric at inside linebacker. Kase displayed outstanding potential in his first two seasons and could be poised for a breakthrough campaign of his own. While he already has a firm grasp on the defensive scheme, coaches believe the 6-2, 212-pounder can really develop into an impact player as he continues to increase his size and strength.
Sophomore Michael Tuohy (Moreno Valley, Calif.) enters fall camp as the starting outside linebacker opposite Black after proving to be one of the team’s best playmakers during spring practice. Tuohy came into the spring as the wildcard of the group, moving to linebacker after earning Freshman All-America honors last year as a defensive end. The 6-2, 233-pound Tuohy stepped into the starting lineup midway through the season and became perhaps the top freshman defensive player in the MWC, finishing with 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Though undersized on the front line, Tuohy displayed tremendous quickness and tenacity, traits proven to be just as valuable in his new role.
Senior Joe Selander (Rio Rancho, N.M.) will also be an important member of the rotation, working at inside linebacker. A longtime special teams standout, the 6-2, 230-pound Selander has consistently improved each year and could be the Lobos’ next former walk-on to emerge as a key contributor on game day.
Junior linebacker Quincy Black (91) will be one of several promising first year starters on the UNM defense this season. |
With as many as six players expected to be regulars in the linebacker rotation, the door is open for several other new faces to make their mark. Sophomore George Carter (Albuquerque, N.M.) and redshirt freshman Herbert Felder (Apopka, Fla.) could also vie for time this year. The 6-3, 225-pound Carter was a contributor on special teams last year and will open fall camp behind Black at outside linebacker. The 6-1, 227-pound Felder was one of the Lobos’ top scout team linebackers as a rookie last fall and bulked up in the offseason. He will begin preseason practice behind Tuohy on the outside. Hard-working junior Justin Clayton (Los Angeles, Calif.) showed some real signs of improvement last year and could find himself in the mix as well. Junior Yimin Bauman (Phoenix, Ariz.) could also challenge for a spot in the rotation after redshirting the 2004 season and opening some eyes with his effort this past spring.