Sept. 13, 2005
Adrian Byrd
Senior Adrian Byrd is a third-year starter who is perhaps one of the top fullbacks in the MWC…this season will be used more of a hybrid back who can play lead-blocking fullback, tailback in I-formation or by himself in single back packages…has improved each year as a lead blocker and is very effective in pass protection…a powerful and surprisingly agile runner that gives the Lobos a change of pace to DonTrell Moore…one of the strongest athletes on the team is a two-time Beefmaster award winner at 226-250 pounds.
Q: How does it feel to have the opportunity to play some running back this season?
A: Great. Its great. I am loving it. I don’t like playing one more then the other I just like playing running back. Both positions are running back to me.
Q: What do you like playing better running back or fullback and why?
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A: I don’t like playing one more then the other I just like playing running back. Both positions are running back to me. I just love being on the field.
Q: Which would you rather block for a passing play or a running play?
A: Running play. I believe it looks better to know that your block sprung a 60-yard touchdown run. It is also good to know that you picked up a blitz on a pass play and then the quarterback is able to throw a touchdown that’s just as good. But if I had to pick I would say running play.
Q: DonTrell Moore is going to or has broken a number of New Mexico rushing records; do you feel that beside his name in parentheses your name should appear?
A: (Laughing) It’s his record and he deserves it but if my name did get printed in parentheses beside his name I wouldn’t mind. I don’t think he would mind either but you know. He deserves it though and those are his records.
Q: What is like when you get a big knockdown block?
A: I keep counting them during the game. I think the most I have had is either 10 or 11, so every game I am just thinking about beating that.
Q: What is your biggest block?
A: I would probably say the first game last year against Washington State on DonTrell’s 61-yard run. I hurt my shoulder on the play but I still finished the game. It was just a big time play but unfortunately we lost the game but we took the lead on that play.
Q: What did you work on the most in the off-season?
A: Bigger and faster and catching the ball. The way our offense is this year a lot more balls are going to be thrown the backs way so those three things are probably the main things.
Q: What do you like about the new spread offense and why?
A: I think I like it a lot because I am playing a different role in it. I believe I had a major part in I guess you can say our old offense but we still have some of those things. I think I play more of a part in the new offense and it puts a lot more pressure on my shoulders.
Q: As a senior what is your individual goals and goals for the team this season?
A: Goals for the team is we have to win this conference championship. We have come so close the past three years. It is my senior year and I want to help the whole team win the conference championship this year. That is number one priority. Then winning that conference championship we will be fortunate enough to go to a bowl game and win won of those. An individual goal is no letdowns. Like you said it is my senior year and I don’t want to have any letdowns. I don’t want to look back and say I should have done this or I should have done that.
Q: As a sophomore you broke a run for 78 yards but didn’t get into the end zone, what happened and is that the longest run in your career?
A: I am just going to sum it up and say I was tired. I was looking on the jumbo screen and I saw the guy gaining on me so I started running to the side but it didn’t help I was just two tired. In high school I had an 81-yard touchdown run.
Q: You have won two Beefmaster awards what does that mean to you?
A: It means being looked at as one of the strongest players on the team. I mean you can’t beat that. Plus it also sets an example for a lot of the younger running backs. The younger guys see how you have to take the weight room seriously and how it helps you out in a few years because it really does.
Q: You had a brother play football at Purdue. Do you remember watching?
A: I remember watching him. It was back when ESPN was doing the Game plan on pay per view and one of his games just so happened to be on one of the pay per view channels. I can just remember sitting and watching and thinking my brother is in college and he is playing.
Q: Has he helped you with your experience?
A: I actually talked to him a couple of days ago. He said a bunch of personal things but he kind of got on my case to let me know that I could be doing a lot more things a lot harder.
Terrance Pennington
Terrance Pennington is a three-year letterwinner and returning starter who has moved from quick tackle to strong tackle…at 6-7, 319 pounds, he is one of the largest of a massive group of offensive linemen…took time to grow into his body, but has made major strides in the weight room over the last two years and has gotten the physical and technical aspects of his performance in synch…turned in a strong 2004 campaign, his first as a full-time starter and coaches believe his best is yet to come.
Q: What is the biggest adjustment moving from quick tackle to strong tackle this season?
A: The plays are pretty much the same only with different numbers. It mainly just means the ball is going to go mostly behind my side, so this year I had to work on my consistency to be a 100 percent guy and do my job all the time. I mean coming in behind Lenzmeier and Terrell who played the position very well so I want to come in and do the same thing. I can’t let the guys down with me taking the roll of strong tackle.
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Q: What do you like about the new spread offense and why?
A: I like how it opens it up. Last year we just ran, ran and ran, so the defense was putting nine and ten in the box because they new what we were going to do and now we spread it out and pass so they don’t have nine or ten in the box and it opens more holes for the running game. Plus it allows me to work on both my run and pass techniques.
Q: Which would you rather block for a passing play or a running play and why?
A: Probably a running play. It feels good to go through a running play and knock someone on their butt that is a great feeling for an offensive lineman. I like pass blocking too especially when a defensive end thinks they are going to get a sack and I stop them from their goal. It doesn’t matter really because I like doing both but I will say run blocking.
Q: What is like when you get a big knockdown block and what is your biggest knockdown block?
A: Getting a knockdown block that is our goal. Running backs they want to score touchdowns, so us offensive linemen we want to knock people on their butts. My biggest knockdown block would probably be New Mexico State when we ran a 15 counter and I went and knocked down two linebackers at one time. I hit both of them and they both fell on their butts, so it would be New Mexico State.
Q: What is the toughest part of being an offensive lineman?
A: The toughest part is how we have to be 100 percent all the time. A running back or a wide receiver could take a play off and they wouldn’t be noticed. An offensive lineman if they take a play off and the opponent gets a sack everybody would see that is my fault. As an offensive lineman you have to come 100 percent all the time so there is no let down.
Q: What did you work on the most in the off-season?
A: My weight, getting my weight down. I also worked on my technique and consistency.
Q: As a senior what is your individual goals and goals for the team this season?
A: My individual goals are of course to be all-conference and I want to be the best tackle in our conference. I mean I even what to set it higher and be the best tackle in the nation. The team goal is to win a championship. We work all off-season hitting the weights and running. We all have put a 100 percent in this, so to me if we don’t get the championship I would be disappointed.
Q: Being 6-7,319, does that give you an advantage on the line? Why or why not?
A: It gives me an advantage in pass protection because my arms are longer and that gives me an advantage but in run blocking the game in run blocking is leverage and me being 6-7 going against guys that are 6-1 there is no advantage. Now if I get that 6-7 low, low, low right down next to the ground that is a lot of force coming at you.
Q: Your father played football at Stanford and in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, has he helped you in your career and if so how?
A: Yes, he just tells me to stay focused and not worry about the NFL stuff. Anything can happen this season, so I just come out here thinking about the season and not think about after the season like the NFL or what not. He has just told me to focus on this football season and have fun.
Tyler Gaus
Tyler Gaus is a four-year starter who has developed into one of the most underrated punters in the Mountain West…could be one of the country’s best finesse punters…ranked 12th in the nation at his position by The Sporting News entering the 2005 season…has mastered the lost art of the “coffin corner” kick, dropping punts inside the 20-yard line 73 times in his career with just 16 rolling into the end zone…does an excellent job of directional kicking and using hang-time, allowing his coverage team to get down the field to limit return yardage…has a goal of 45 yards per kick this fall…candidate for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter…was placed on scholarship before the 2003 season after beginning his career as a walk-on…earned third team Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News as a true freshman in 2002…two-time Academic All-MWC honoree.
Q: What is the origin of your last name?
A: I know it’s German and our family came over about three generations before me. They lived on the East Coast and in Pennsylvania. Some lived in Florida. My great-grandfather moved to California and that’s where I grew up.
Q: How did you become a punter?
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A: As a freshman in high school I kicked the ball farther and more consistent than anyone else, primarily because I was a goalie in soccer most of my life. I started playing soccer when I was six and played all through high school. I was also a tight end in high school.
Q: What are the keys to being a successful punter?
A: Flexibility is huge. Since I didn’t kick all the time in high school, I had to work on that a lot when I got to UNM. I get stretched out by the trainers everyday. A lot of repetitions and working on your drop are very important.
Q: Sometimes, quarterbacks will ice their arms and shoulders after practice. What does a punter do?
A: During two-a-days, we get in ice baths after every practice. Not so much once the season starts, but during camp probably three times a day. You have to stay fresh and keep your back from getting tight. As a punter and a kicker, your lower back gets a lot of strain put on it.
Q: What does a punter do during a 2-hour practice?
A: We have a 10-minute special teams session where we got through schemes and work a variety of things. The rest of the time we work on drops, probably 50 a day. We also shag balls for the kickers.
Q: Is there a perfect way for a punter to drop the ball?
A: I had a really weird style when I first got here. Because I played so much soccer, I tended to kick up soccer-style, or across my body instead of coming straight up through the ball. I worked out with some former pro and college kickers who helped me. By coming straight through the ball it allows you to get more hang-time and a spiral off your foot.
Q: Do you have a different motion whether you’re trying to kick the ball 60 yards or pooch a punt 35-40 yards?
A: Most of it has to do with your drop. You want a nice level drop when you’re trying for a longer punt. If I want a shorter punt to pin the opponent inside the 10, I tilt the nose of the ball up away from me. That tends to make the ball go higher and shorter and allow our gunners to catch it and pin it deep. However, I have the same leg speed whether I’m kicking long or short. It’s all in the drop.
Q: What will you be doing with a degree in Entrepreneurial Studies?
A: My dad is a contractor and a finish carpenter and I have always enjoyed construction since I was a little kid. When I go home for the summer he’ll send me out on jobs so I can get a little extra spending cash. I do not want to sit behind a desk all day. I like getting out and doing things and meeting new people. I want to get into real estate and, eventually, start flipping houses; fixing them up and selling them for a profit. I actually manage about 30 apartment units here in Albuquerque. My dad bought them when I first came to Albuquerque because he thought the market was good. It has done well for him. I handle the maintenance on all of them. We just bought a nine-unit complex. My dad was here a few weekends ago and we were working on some of them. I said, ‘Dad, I’ve got to go home and get some rest because I have a game tomorrow.’ I wouldn’t mind starting my own shelving business, too. You can make a lot of money doing that. I might stay in Albuquerque for a while a buy a fixer-upper. It’s a lot easier to do here than it is in San Diego because you need so much capital just to get started in California. I guess this is in my blood because my great-grandfather used to build apartments, too.”
Joe Selander
Joe Selander is a three-year letterman who has been an excellent special teams player for UNM over the past three years…former walk-on who was voted 2004 Special Teams Player of the Year by his teammates…a sure tackler with good speed who is in the linebacker rotation…won the Beefmaster Award for players weighing between 201-225 pounds.
Q: What do you wish to accomplish in your last year as a Lobo?
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A: I wish to increase playing time both on defense and my special teams work. I’m going for that Special Teams Player of the Year one more time.
Q: What are you looking forward to most this season?
A: Playing Utah and seeing how TCU is this year. Just to finish on a good note and go undefeated.
Q: You’re from Rio Rancho, what’s it like playing at a school so close to home?
A: It’s nice; I have a lot of fan support from my buddies from high school and my parents. They haven’t missed a home game yet and I can go home whenever I want.
Q: How hard was it to earn a scholarship spot on the team after walking on?
A: It was pretty difficult. Coach Long really good about noticing the guys who are putting forth 100% and that’s what I did every day. I never came out here and only gave 50% and I guess he saw that.
Q: You played a receiver and safety in H.S. How hard was the transition to linebacker?
A: It went from no hitting to a ton of hitting, but I like it a lot more. There is a lot more action. The speed is a lot more my level.
Q: Anything you want the fans to know about you that they don’t already?
A: Yes, dance squad competes usually twice a week. If you guys want to but tickets to see us you can get those at any place that sells Lobo tickets.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Basically a lot of dance squad, who I learned from Josh Bazinet, a senior last year. Also, pretty much just watching movies, hanging out and relaxing with friends.
Q: How did it feel to return that blocked punt against Air Force last year?
A: That was definitely the highlight so far in my college career. A touch down is a touch down no matter where you make it, but when there are that many people in the stands and it’s a huge conference game it makes it all that much better. So, definitely the highlight of my college career.
Q: How much of an honor is it to be voted Special Teams Player of the Year?
A: For me it meant a lot because that’s pretty much how I made the travel squad, which was always a very important thing to me. That’s how I got on the team pretty much. To be the best at it and be recognized for that is very important to me.
Q: Is there any secret to being a standout Special Teams player?
A: Just effort. Effort, that’s all it is.
Ryan Cook
Senior center Ryan Cook is a former walk-on who has quietly developed into one of the nation’s premier centers and a top NFL prospect. A watch list selection for the Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy, which is given to the country’s best center this fall, Cook will attempt to become the first Lobo center ever to earn first team all-conference honors three times in a career. At 6-7, 331 pounds he is one of the biggest starting centers in the country, but Cook has also spent some time in practice at strong tackle. He has played in 40 games and made 35 straight starts, anchoring the middle of a gigantic offensive line unit known as “The Hitmen.” Cook’s younger brother, Erik (18), is a rookie offensive lineman who signed with UNM last February.
Q: Talk about the Hitmen tradition at UNM – what makes being an offensive lineman here at New Mexico different than most other places?
A: Well it started about five years ago with (former Lobo lineman) Justin Colburn. He developed the standard of a Hitman. It’s like a state of being. It’s something we strive to be as one unit. It brings us closer together and reminds us that we have to outperform everybody else.
Q: You mentioned Justin Colburn, who are some of the guys you learned the most from your first couple years and what did they teach you?
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A: Definitely Justin Colburn, Jason Lenzmeier and Claude (Terrell). Those are the guys that I looked up to and I tried to follow their style of play, their tempo and how they did things. I basically learned all the little things from them.
Q: What were your expectations when you first walked-on at UNM – did you expect that you would be a 4-year starter?
A: My goal at first was just to get a scholarship after I walked-on. After that it was just to be first string and be on the field as much as possible. Everything else has just taken care of itself.
Q: From a personal performance standpoint, what are some of the most memorable games you’ve played in your career at UNM?
A: Nothing really stands out. Every game is memorable to me. Just being able to be out there playing with the other guys, that’s the most memorable thing for me.
Q: You finished the regular season last year with three-straight games with a perfect assignment grade and over 90% technique grade, and had double digit knockdown totals in each of those games – is there such thing as an offensive lineman being in a zone and could you sense how well you were playing in each of those games?
A: I just thing it took a lot of hard work, determination, knowledge of defenses and knowledge of what we like to do. The older you get, the easier those things start to come. I guess you could say it was like being in the zone, but it was mostly just knowing defenses and knowing your own assignment.
Q: Talk about the time you spent on the kick-off return team last year – how did that all come about and how did you like being out there?
A: Well, (special teams) coach (Everett) Todd called on me one day and said I was going to be on kick off return. I guess they wanted a big kick-out blocker on the wing. It was a fun experience, but I was getting kind of tired going out there. That little bit of extra running was more than I was used to. I never really got to block anybody anyway because they always ran away from us on that side, but it was fun.”
Q: What do you like the most about playing center?
A: I think its just being able to be in the middle of everything. Being next to guards and the tackles, making all the calls and being an authority figure.
Q: Have you ever had any problems being as tall as you are playing center?
A: Since I’ve been playing center it’s never really seemed to bother anybody. Kole (McKamey) sometimes complains that he can’t see over the top of me, but I don’t think he really has any problems. I think I play with pretty good pad level so he can see over me.
Q: Would you like to spend more time out at tackle – how big of a transition would that be for you?
A: Well, if I did make the move to tackle there would be a lot of technical aspects I’d have to work on. It’s a different world. You’re out there on the edge all by yourself a lot of the time and it’s tough to go out there. I’d take it as a challenge and an opportunity to show my versatility in being able to play the center and the edge. It doesn’t really matter to me. Wherever I’m needed is where I’ll be.
Q: Is it strange at all having your brother Erik running around out there at practice with you?
A: Not really. He kind of blends in with the other guys. I do leave the rookie hazing or teasing to the other guys, but it’s fun to have him out there.
Q: What does he have to do if wants to eventually surpass your numbers for knockdowns, games played, games started, etc.?
A: He’s just going to have to come with it and show that he wants to play at this level. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t want to, but you have to show the determination, effort and hard work.
Q: How happy are your parents to have you both out here playing for the Lobos together?
A: My mom is ecstatic about it. My dad is just happy that both of his kids are going to college, getting their education paid for and having an opportunity to play college football.
Gabriel Fulbright
Senior Gabriel Fulbright is a former safety who has developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the Mountain West over the past two years. Fulbright is a two-time second team all-MWC selection who has the ability to be a true shut-down corner, eliminating one side of the field, when on his game. He has began to catch the eye of the national media as he is ranked No. 13 by The Sporting News and No. 15 by Lindy’s among the country’s top cornerbacks. With his dramatic interception to seal the Lobos’ 24-22 victory over UNLV, Fulbright claimed sole possession of 10th place on the UNM all-time list with 10 career interceptions. Blessed with rare play-making ability and a natural feel for the game, Fulbright possesses tremendous feet, excellent speed and is a surprisingly physical player for his size. Very active and extremely confident, he is easily the most vocal player on the team and can be heard encouraging, cajoling and ribbing teammates from the start to finish of virtually every practice.
Q: What did you first think of Albuquerque when you arrived here from Texas as a true freshman?
A: It wasn’t anything bad. It was a new place for me and I wasn’t used to how hot it was here. It was humid in Texas, but not the real dry heat there is here. There was a little less green than I was used and the altitude made it a little hard to breathe when I first got here. There’s also a lot of diversity here – a lot of different kinds of people, which is a little different from where I came from.
Q: How have you developed on and off the field since your first year here at UNM?
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A: On the field, I’ve developed a lot. I’ve improved my technique and my listening skills, making sure I do a better job listening to the coaches. Off the field, when I first got here I was a little rambunctious, going out and just crunk all the time, but now I’m more laid back and settled down. I don’t do too much now, just watch a lot of game film at home and relax. I’m not as wild as used to be.
Q: Once your football career is done, what do you think you’d like to do later on life?
A: I would like to become an undercover police officer. I like risky things. My mom always said I was a daredevil. Being an undercover detective has always been my dream – that and the NFL. My uncle works in the police department, so after football I’d like to try that too.
Q: Your career really took off when you moved from safety to cornerback in 2003 – was that an easy transition for you?
A: Yeah it was a really easy transition for me. I’ve been playing cornerback since I first started playing football in the eighth grade, but when I came here they changed me to safety. I felt I was too small, maybe not a physical enough player to be a safety. When they moved me to corner though, that was a dream come true. I felt like it was an easier job and not as physically demanding as playing safety.
Q: Is there anything you miss about playing safety?
A: I miss blitzing a lot, being able to get a good hit on the quarterback or a hit in the backfield for a loss of yards. I miss that, but I don’t miss blitzing off the edge and then getting beat up by one of the offensive linemen.
Q: What do you like most about playing cornerback in this defensive scheme?
A: It’s a big challenge on your shoulders. How you play is a big concern of your teammates’. We usually play man coverage all the time and that leaves you and wide receivers on an island by yourselves. A lot of pressure is on you out there, but I like that pressure. I usually handle it well and do my job. It is a challenge, but nothing good comes without a little challenge.
Q: Do you enjoy when you have the man you’re covering locked down or does it ever get boring and make you wish quarterbacks would throw more balls in your direction?
A: Yeah, it does get kind of boring, but somebody is always looking to test you. This year though, I am trying to be more of a lockdown corner. Instead of getting more interceptions, I don’t want them to throw to my side at all. That’s one thing I’m working on this year, keeping myself focused for the entire game so they don’t throw to my side at all.
Q: Like you said, you’re not the biggest or most physical guy out there, but you’ve never seemed to shy away from contact – do you take pride in being able to come up and make a big hit on screen plays or runs to your side?
A: Oh yeah. It always looks good when a little guy comes up, hits a big guy hard and makes them feel it. A lot of people don’t expect that to happen. When you do something big like that it gets everybody on the team hyped and give them a little extra motivation.
Q: You returned four punts for touchdowns as a senior in high school and now five years later you’re finally back in that role – what do you think you can bring to the Lobos punt return team this year?
A: I know I have a lot of good people up front blocking for me and I know they’ll do anything in order for me to get a touchdown. This year I just want to get a lot of yards on average and just get the team in good field position anyway I can. First by focusing and catching the ball, and hopefully I’ll pick up a lot of yards from there.
Q: Now everybody knows that you probably talk more than anybody on the football field – where do you come up with some of the things you say?
A: I don’t know. I’m just a crazy person. I like freestyling in rapping, my mind wanders a lot, so I can think of a lot of things. I watch a lot of movies too. A lot of comedies and Comedy Central – that’s what I watch in my free time. People always ask me where I get it from, but I don’t know myself – it just comes. I get in trouble sometimes because I just say anything that pops into my head. It comes out of nowhere.
Q: Do you think you’d be the same kind of player if you weren’t ever allowed to talk like you do out on the football field?
A: Ooh, no I don’t think I could do that. That’s part of me. I’ve been talking all my life. I did it in high school, junior high school, I just came up like that. I talk to everybody. Whether it was in track or basketball or baseball, I talked wherever I was.
Q: Finally, talk about the new silver teeth you’re sporting this year – what made you decide to get that done?
A: Well I think it was during spring break. I went home and my brother who played for Iowa, he took me to get it done. He didn’t have any himself, but he knew I wanted it done. I’ve been wanting them for awhile and finally came up with enough money. It’s just for fashion. It’s what the people in my area of Texas do.