Nov. 1, 2005
Ken West
Senior Ken West is a returning letterman at safety, who has played in all eight games this season…on the season he has 12 tackles, including his first ever career sack at UTEP and three tackles for loss…an excellent athlete who saw plenty of time last season before a severely bruised shoulder limited his snaps late in the season…best game was last season against Texas Tech when he got his first career start and made a career high nine tackles, including six solo tackles…a junior college transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Q: What is the toughest part of playing the safety position? Why?
A: The toughest part of playing the safety position here at New Mexico is that you’re a main part of the defense, you’re a staple of the defense. You are required to be able to blitz, cover and you have to make plays when you have a chance. Playing under Rocky Long it is a really tough defense.
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Q: What do you enjoy about playing in coach Long and Lewis’s defensive system?
A: It gives you an opportunity to make plays. You get to do everything on the field pretty much. You cover in zone, you’re blitzing, it is pretty much a safety’s dream you have to be involved in the run.
Q: What was it like getting your first career sack at UTEP?
A: It was a great feeling. UTEP was a real loud crowd and just to hear the big hush come over the crowd when you make the sack is just great.
Q: What was the biggest adjustment for you from junior college to division one football?
A: Playing this defense. You have to be so fast and so physical. You have to know your assignments and once you first get here that is the main thing you have to work on is know your assignments.
Q: What is something about you that very few of your teammates know about you?
A: Well I don’t think of all of them know that my real nickname that everybody called me was Hollywood before I got here. They may not know that my little daughters name is Pollyanna they may not know that.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time other than sleeping and eating?
A: Spending time with my daughter and wife at home. I love football and I love coming out and playing and practicing but when I get to go home and be with my wife and my family its wonderful.
Q: When did you meet your wife and when did you get married?
A: We met my first year at junior college. I got married by my father who is a pastor and he married us July 3, 2005 just before fourth of July.
Q: How do you juggle football, class work and a family?
A: It is tough. Like I said earlier when I get home I want to spend so much time with my family but I sometimes just have to take myself away from it and just focus on my school work I have to get done.
Q: If you could play a sport other than football what would it be and why?
A: It would have to be basketball. I have been playing basketball my whole life and I have so many friends that went on to be great basketball players, like the starting center for Duke Shelden Williams, we grew up together since we were like five and I just love basketball and playing with my friends.
Q: What are your goals after your football career?
A: I want to coach. I am getting my degree in education. I have a job setup to be a defense coach at my old high school and I plan on going back there when I am done.
Chris Brawley
Senior Chris Brawley is a returning letterman at wide receiver who has been a key member of the wide receiver rotation since transferring to New Mexico from Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2004. He brings outstanding size to the position and is an excellent blocker on the perimeter and downfield. Brawley was enjoying a strong preseason camp performance this year before suffering a broken arm that forced him to miss the first two games of the year. Since returning to the field against New Mexico State, he has made a pair of catches for 13 yards. This past offseason he improved his performance in the weight room, upping his max in all four core lifts during the offseason. An academic qualifier out of high school, Brawley attended Southeast Missouri State in 2001. He appeared in all 12 games last year, starting the regular season finale vs. Wyoming. He made 3 catches for 25 yards on the year, including two receptions that went for first downs on 3rd-and-long plays, and led all the UNM receivers with 18 knockdown blocks. He made two of the biggest blocks of the year for the Lobos, springing Hank Baskett’s 69-yard catch-and-run TD at Colorado State and Kole McKamey’s 80-yard option keeper TD vs. Wyoming.
Q: As a senior what are your individual goals and your goals for the team this season?
A: My individual goals are just to improve on my playing from last year. I think I’m a little bit more ready this year to play and improve. The team goal was to win an MWC Championship, but that is out of reach right now. Now it’s just to come out and play hard every week and get as high as we can.
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Q: What are your plans for after football?
A: To get a degree and live happily ever after. I definitely want to get my degree, live a successful life and be happy.
Q: You’ve been to three different schools Southeast Missouri State, Northeast Mississippi Community College and UNM. Was it hard making the transitions and did you enjoy moving around?
A: I did enjoy moving around, but I wish I would have stayed in one place. I’m glad I settled in New Mexico, I found a home out here. It wasn’t tough though because football takes up most of your time and football is football wherever you go.
Q: What are you going to miss most about New Mexico football?
A: The locker room, being around my teammates. They’ve become like family so I’m really going to miss them.
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned under your coaches and from Lobo football?
A: Giving complete effort and showing leadership toward my teammates. Coming out of junior college I was already older than most of them so I needed to be a leader.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: I don’t care what position I’m playing I just like being on the field, but as a wide receiver we get to be on the defense as well as show athletic ability when we catch the ball. So we get to show both sides of what we can do.
Q: What was your feeling after springing Hank’s TD vs. CSU and Kole’s 80-yard run vs. Wyoming?
A: I felt pretty good. I’m always doing what I can to help the team, whatever is called upon me to do.
Q: What did you focus on most in the off-season?
A: Strength, working on my strength, my speed and my route running
Q: Where’s the toughest place you’ve had to play?
A: Probably BYU because that was the biggest crowd I’ve ever had to play in front of. Plus it was only 9 a.m.
Q: How did your broken arm affect your playing this season?
A: When I came back I had lost a lot of strength in my left arm so of course I had to put more pressure on my right arm to block and everything. Now it’s fine though, it doesn’t affect me anymore.
Q: Which teammate have you enjoyed playing with the most?
A: I can’t say just one I like all of them, but I would have to say Hank Baskett. Ever since I came on my recruiting trip we got together. It’s like we’ve been brothers the whole time I’ve been out here.
Q: Do you think the spread offense has been effective for UNM?
A: Yes it has. It has allowed us to focus on our major playmakers. They’ve been having to play the whole field, so it’s been effective.
Q: Your dad Calvin played basketball at Illinois State and Arkansas State in the mid-’70s, do you have any basketball skills?
A: Of course! I got recruited a lot when I was in high school, but my first love has always been football.
Charles Brown
Senior Charles Brown is a returning letterman at safety who enjoyed a strong Division I debut last year after transferring from Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead, Miss. Brown displayed an excellent combination of speed and power last year, appearing in 11 games and starting nine times opposite all-MWC safety Josh Bazinet. He finished with 38 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 6 pass break-ups and 3 quarterback hurries. Brown improved dramatically in the weight room during the offseason, establishing himself as one of the strongest safeties in the program. This fall, he has played in all eight games.
Q: Your major is Biology, what do you want to do with that?
A: Well first of all I just want to get my degree. My thought coming out of high school was to become a doctor, but my focus right now is to just get a degree.
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Q: What was the transition like from Mississippi to New Mexico?
A: It was a big transition, from the customs to the weather to the people. I went through that before when I went to junior college, but half of it was just being away from home.
Q: What is your favorite thing about New Mexico football?
A: What the defense revolves around and being the best defensive team in the MWC. Also flying around hitting people hard every play. That’s what I’m really about.
Q: You really improved in the weight room, how important is that to a player’s development?
A: It’s very important to succeed, work on your body and make your strength grow. It sets the tone because there are a lot of teams around the country and everyday and you have to try to keep up with them. Stay in the weight room, work on yourself, it makes you a better player on and off the field.”
Q: What is the hardest thing about being a safety in this defense scheme?
A: This defense revolves around the safeties, so we have to be focused on the task at hand. We have to be fundamentally sound and we have to keep everybody in order, from the font to the back and make sure nothing gets behind us.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of football?
A: I love sports so I love playing basketball. I play video games and I love card games.
Q: You were recruited by several D-I schools as a basketball player – what made you choose football over basketball?
A: I was sort of a shooting guard. I’m not really a good ball handler, I don’t like handling the ball, I like scoring. My size turned me to football because I’m not that tall and I love the physical aspect of football.
Q: Who else would you choose to play with you in a 3-on-3 game?
A: Of course I would choose two of my teammates. Maybe Darvin Peterson and Chris Brawley, we could take anybody.
Q: What are you going to miss most about being a Lobo?
A: Of course I’m going to miss football. My teammates are my brothers that I’ve grown to know so well and just being around the football atmosphere.
Q: Which teammate have you enjoyed playing with the most?
A: I’ve enjoyed playing with them all, it’s not just one single person. I treat everyone the same on the team we all play together and we all treat each other the same. So I’d have to say my whole team.
Q: What do you like about coach Rocky Long’s defense?
A: I love the schemes they put together every week. It revolves around the safeties so it gives us a chance to make big plays and keep the other team’s offense off the field.
Q: Anything you would like the fans to know about you that they might not already know?
A: I’m a very quiet guy and I’m shy at times, but when you get to know me I’m a very down to earth person.
Jorge Enriquez
Jorge Enriquez is a fifth-year senior from Albuquerque Valley HS who has played both defensive tackle and offensive guard for the UNM scout team…will return to the offensive side this fall after spending much of 2004 with the defense…played in one game this season against New Mexico State and recorded his first knockdown block…is an aggressive, physical player who has taken on any role the coaches have asked him to…328 max in the power clean and can squat 535…appeared briefly in the 2003 season-opener.
Q: What are your overall thoughts about playing football at the University of New Mexico?
A: I’m just proud to be part of the team. I do my part and I know my part is playing on the scout team. That’s what I try and do to the best of my ability. We’ve accomplished so much, though. We’ve gone to three straight bowl games and haven’t had a losing season since I’ve been here. That’s something to be real proud of. I never gave up. I’ll miss my teammates. I do it for them and I love ’em to death. They’re my brothers. I’ll miss them but I won’t miss preseason camp.
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Q: You haven’t played too much, but is there any special moments you remember when you did get into games?
A: I’ve hit the field twice. I was lucky enough to be part of the scoring drive when Katie Hnida kicked the extra points against Southwest Texas (in 2003). That was college football history. And I got my first career pancake block earlier this season against New Mexico State. That was a great feeling. It’s such a rivalry game. That was amazing to knock a guy on his butt. I don’t care for New Mexico State because they’re our rivals. The play was 22 Peel, an inside handoff to Martelius Epps that picked up four or five yards. We were zone blocking and I took out a linebacker.
Q: What is your major?
A: I have a double major in Business and Engineering. I’ll graduate from Anderson (School of Management) with two bachelor’s degrees in May then I’ll have another two years to complete my electrical engineering degree.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: I would like to get into Sandia National Labs. They have a program where you can build your own business. I would just love to do that. I want to build lasers and start my own company. That fascinates me. Basically, it’s designing and creating lasers that can be used in a variety of ways, from weapons to optics. I’ve been wanting to do that since I was in high school.
Q: Are you the first person in your family to graduate from college?
A: Yes, and it makes me real proud. My parents (Jose and Graciela) sacrificed a lot to make it happen. My mom is an educational assistant at Lavaland Elementary and an author. She writes books in Spanish. They’re for young kids, teaching them to learn Spanish at a young age, probably first to third graders.
Q: Who is the person you most admire?
A: I don’t know if there is any one person, but maybe any athlete who has overcome adversity to excel inspires me; anybody from Muhammad Ali to Lance Armstrong.
Q: What’s up with the old Mustang?
A: It was my first car, a 1969 Mustang Fastback. We paid $700 for it and it was a wreck when we got it. My dad and I worked on it to get it running. I started driving it to (Valley) high school my junior year. It’s got a 302 V-8 engine. Currently, it’s in the garage at home. As soon as I get my college career done, I can afford to rebuild the engine and get in back out on the road; bring it back to life.
Daniel Ramirez
Senior Daniel Ramirez is a former walk-on who has lettered each of the past two years, primarily for his work on special teams, and has appeared in 23 games in his career. Ramirez has proven to be a tough, shifty runner who possesses a nice burst of speed and good hands. He was the team’s top punt returner in 2004, averaging 9.1 yards on his seven returns, including a 33-yard gain to set-up a touchdown at Colorado State. Ramirez made his offensive debut in 2003 against Texas State and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. He joined the travel squad at the end of the 2002 season and saw brief special teams action in the regular season finale versus Wyoming. A 2001 graduate of Muleshoe (Texas) HS, Ramirez was an outstanding three-sport athlete, lettering in football, baseball and track. He had 2,500 all-purpose yards (2,300 rushing) on a team that went 14-1 and advanced to the district quarterfinals his senior year.
Q: Describe life in Muleshoe, Texas – how was it growing up there?
A: It’s one of those towns where you just drive through and with a blink of an eye, it’s gone. Football is great there. It’s a football town. Everybody from the young to the old, they love their football – Texas football. Every summer we’d spend getting ready for the season. From my freshman to my senior year, all we did was football. That’s all we wanted to do. We wanted to be the best.
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Q: What were your football options coming out of high school and what made you decide to walk-on at UNM?
A: Basically, they were all D-II offers – West Texas A&M, Eastern (New Mexico). I ended up signing with Abilene Christian because I had a couple of friends who were going there, but visiting them – it wasn’t comfortable and I didn’t really like it. My dad said I should go check out New Mexico, but I didn’t even know where UNM was and had never really heard of it. But I came down here and really liked it and enjoyed the town. I thought if anything was going to happen (in my football career) it was going to be here. I heard that the program was up-and-coming and that reminded me of home. We were an up-and-coming program (in high school), so I said ‘you know what, I like it there, I’m going to try it.’
Q: What were your goals when you first joined the Lobo football program?
A: My first goal was just to make the team. Fortunately that year, (Mike) Powdrell walked on with me and we didn’t really have to go through the normal tryouts. After that my goal was to make travel squad. I wanted to get in there on special teams and try and make a name for myself so the coaches could see.
Q: Were you surprised with how quickly you were able to make a name for yourself on the practice field?
A: I wasn’t really ever surprised because the way I grew up, I had to be a hard worker. My parents raised me with the philosophy that if you work hard, things will happen. I was surprised that it happened so soon though. (Former defensive coordinator) coach Mendenhall gave me a chance on kick-off his last year here, which was pretty neat.
Q: Are you satisfied with what you’ve been able to accomplish these past five years?
A: I’m quite satisfied. When I was in first grade and people asked me what I wanted to do when I got older and graduated from high school, I said that I just wanted to go to college and play college football. I feel like I’ve done that. My statistics aren’t anything out there, but really what I take the most from this is the team and having been part of something special. That’s what I like, that’s what I love.
Q: Did they let you keep the ball from your first college touchdown against Texas State in 2003?
A: No, but I was really excited. That was one of the highlights of my career. My first and only touchdown, that’s something you’ll always keep with you.
Q: Does the fact that Katie Hnida kicked the extra point after your TD make it any more memorable?
A: I always thought about that! If my kids ever learn about that famous lady kicker, I can always tell them, ‘well, you know the person who scored the TD before her last kick was me.’ So I can see that I’m a little chip of history. I’m pretty far to the side, but I can always say that I was part of something a little bigger than myself, which is good.
Q: What’s it been like playing with fellow running back DonTrell Moore these past four years?
A: I’m proud to say that I’m associated with him. He’s a great guy on and off the field. People know about his stats and football-related things, but not many know what a good person he is in general. Every once in awhile when you get to play with a player of that caliber, you’re really excited to tell people, ‘Yeah, you know I played with him.’ I’m pretty sure in the future, I’ll be telling a lot of people that.
Q: Which is the most memorable game and the most memorable play you’ve seen or been a part of in your UNM career?
A: I have a couple that are quite memorable. Of course my first touchdown and then my punt return against Colorado State, which is the other thing that I’ll carry with me. I’d have to say that the one thing that tops them all, even though its not an individual accomplishment, was last year when we beat Texas Tech. That was a personal game to me – I have friends who go there, I’m from around there. When Wes (Zunker) kicked that field goal in, that was one of the greatest nights of my life. I was so happy. I had family and friends come to that game and afterwards we went out and celebrated. It was one of those games that you’ll always carry with you.
Q: What’s the best class you’ve taken at UNM and why?
A: There was one that I took with professor Chuck Barth, I think it was law in society. We learned a lot about federal agencies and I got to go on a ride-along with a detective here in APD. That was one of the classes I really liked and I actually got an A.
Q: What are your plans after college?
A: I graduate in December and I’m majoring in Criminology. I would really like to get some experience in a law enforcement field, but eventually I want to end up working for a government agency. Since I graduated from high school, I just felt a need to help people, working for a federal agency doing homicide investigations.
Mike Powdrell
Senior Mike Powdrell is a former walk-on who found a home at cornerback last year after playing wide receiver on the scout team during the first three years of his career. An outstanding athlete with good speed and great leaping ability, Powdrell quickly developed into a key member of the defensive back rotation. He was placed on scholarship in August of 2004 and has improved tremendously over the past two years. Powdrell appeared in five games last year, mostly on special teams, and made his collegiate debut at CB in the second quarter at Oregon State (Sept. 18). He was thrown at twice and recorded a PBU in his brief time in coveragePowdrell is also a two-sport athlete who has also been one of the top long and high jumpers for the UNM track team. He was an all-MWC high jumper as a freshman, clearing 6-10.25 to tie football teammate Hank Baskett for second place in 2002. He owns a career-best long jump mark of 23-11.75 and was an MWC outdoor finalist in both events in 2002 and ’04.
Q: Take me through your first career interception at Wyoming a few weeks ago – how did the play develop from your end and how did you feel afterward?
A: There was personal foul the play before, so we knew that we would have to play a deeper zone coverage. We tried to get some pressure up front and I saw that Quincy (Black) almost sacked the quarterback, so I figured out that he might try to scramble or make a quick throw underneath. I jumped under the dig route and saw that he hadn’t thrown a very good ball. I just tried to run under it and catch it, but I was surprised that he actually threw it in the first place. As soon as I caught it I was excited. I don’t know how good my run back was, but everybody was excited to see me get in there and do something.
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Q: What has your state of mind been like when you’ve taken the field on defense, knowing that the opposing quarterbacks will usually try to attack the new guy in the secondary?
A: When I played last year at Oregon State and this year against Wyoming, I didn’t know that I was going to get in, so I was kind of shocked that I had to get up and get in there without stretching or anything. I was nervous the first few plays when I got out there, but I was happy that I put a little weight on my shoulders and let people know they could rely on me. Quarterbacks do like to pick on new defenders and they almost got me at Oregon State, so I know now each time that I have to be ready.
Q: How difficult was the transition to corner after spending the first part of your career at wide receiver?
A: It was a challenge. I was so used to playing receiver, it felt like that was all I knew. When I switched to DB, I had to switch my whole outlook on how to play and my whole attitude towards the game. Being a defender, trying to stop to stop somebody else’s actions, requires a completely different attitude. I also had to learn how to stay low, make breaks and get use to the technique.
Q: What were your expectations of yourself when you first joined the program as a walk-on?
A: My main thing was just to stay with it. I didn’t get to play my senior year of high school and I just had an itch to get back on the field. I decided that wherever I went I was just going to stick with it. Whether I played or sat the bench all five years, I knew that I’d be a better person just by doing it. It didn’t matter what I got out of it, but it more about what I could do for the program.
Q: How pleased are you with what you’ve been able to accomplish in your career?
A: I’m definitely pleased with being able to overcome being a walk-on. I’m really happy just to get in and make something happen. There were times I didn’t know if anything was going to happen with my career, but to be part of a big play, that kind of tops it off. That shows the achievement after the work I’ve put into it. Whether I end up playing well the rest of the season or not, I know that everyone out there knows that I was here and I contributed.
Q: How was your experience as a member of the Lobo track and field team these past few years?
A: Very good. I’ve been very competitive even though I don’t have the time to train like some of the other athletes. Usually I’m coming off about three weeks of practice when I go out there and sometimes its hard to get back into the technique when I go to jump. It’s always been competitive in conference and I’ve had some great meets. Track is always good to increase my competitive drive. I go back on the football field with that same desire. I want to stand out. That’s what I like about track & field. Hopefully I can get back out there this spring and do something good for the track team.
Q: How exciting was it for you and Hank Baskett to each earn all-conference honors in the high jump as freshmen?
A: It was definitely exciting to come fresh out of high school and jump nearly 6-foot, 11 inches and tie with Hank (for second). That was amazing for me. Coming after knee surgery, when they told me I wouldn’t be able to jump like I used to, it was a big accomplishment. It let me know that there was still a lot of fight left in me. If I hadn’t done that, I might not have had the confidence that I do now to continue pushing forward. Standing next to another guy from New Mexico, that was a big accomplishment too.
Q: Your grandfather started Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque House and your parents now manage the restaurant – do you plan on going into the business after you finish college?
A: (smiles) I know without choice, a lot of it will fall on my shoulders. I know one day I’ll have to take care of it because I’m next in line. Hopefully we can expand as a business. Just like my football career, the business has had ups and downs, but I want to do the same thing – work hard and hopefully success will come out of that too. It’s really all about sticking with it. I know my grandfather is proud to see me put our name out there. I talked to him the other day and I know he was ecstatic with how well I did.
Q: Now is most of your knowledge on the business end or do you have some good recipes and good skills on the grill yourself during the summer time?
A: I know a few recipes. I know how to maintain most of the food and keep it ready to be served. I do have a little bit of skills. My dad was with me during my teenage years and showed me how to handle things in the kitchen. If I ever have to get a job as a cook, I’m pretty sure I’d be alright.
Q: How popular are you with your teammates when it comes to getting their barbeque fix?
A: Well, I don’t want everyone to think that I can just hook it up for them whenever, but the teammates, they love the food. Sometimes they come by the restaurant after practice and we’ll have a good meal together. That’s always good. It keeps us together and gives us a sense of family. The guys on the team love it though whenever they have a chance to get some Powdrell’s.