Aug. 7, 2006
– Under ninth-year head coach Rocky Long, the University of New Mexico football program has solidified itself as one of the most consistent winners in the Mountain West Conference and maintained an unprecedented level of success over the past five years in Albuquerque.
Though its three-year run of bowl trips came to an end last year, UNM finished 6-5, notching its third straight winning season and program-record fifth consecutive season with at least six wins. New Mexico’s 14 fifth-year seniors never experienced a losing season in their college careers and helped the team rack up 34 wins between 2001-05, tying for the most ever in a five-year span at UNM. The Lobos also won 19 MWC games over the past five seasons, the second-highest total in the league.
The 2006 season will usher in a new era of Lobo football with a talented, young generation of players eager to make their mark and four new coaches helping to inject new life into the program. The spring practice season was one of the most intriguing of the Long era with fierce position battles at virtually every position and fall camp promises more intense competition.
The offensive attack has a new look with first-year coordinator Bob Toledo directing the system that won UCLA a pair of Pac-10 titles while he was the head coach. Six starters return to power the offense, including senior quarterback Kole McKamey, a two-year starter, and three members of the Lobos’ vaunted offensive line unit, known as The Hitmen. All eyes will be on the tailbacks and wide receivers, however, as a host of strong candidates look to replace longtime standouts DonTrell Moore and Hank Baskett III.
After falling short of their own expectations in 2005, Long and defensive coordinator Osia Lewis went back to work during the offseason with the goal of returning New Mexico to its traditional place as one of America’s premier defensive units. The two reorganized the coaching assignments and took a page from the history of the unique scheme by reinstalling the legendary lobo position that reigning NFL MVP Brian Urlacher made famous at UNM in 1998 and `99.
Though honorable mention all-MWC linebacker Cody Kase and three former Freshman All-Americans in junior defensive end Michael Tuohy and sophomore safeties Blake Ligon and DeAndre Wright all return, the defense will have three new starters on the line, along with two rookie corners and a first year starter at linebacker. Fortunately, the coaching staff has been able to stockpile a tremendous collection of young talent that has the potential to make the Lobo defense one of the best in the MWC once again this fall.
Long and new special teams coordinator Dan Dodd have also made a commitment to elevate the UNM kicking and return game to the top of the Mountain West. With a new coaching philosophy and Lou Groza Award semifinalist in senior Kenny Byrd, the special teams units should be much improved in 2006.
OFFENSE
With a mixture of promising, young talent and veteran playmakers the UNM offense has the ingredients to be one of the Mountain West Conference’s most explosive units in 2006. However, first-year coordinator Bob Toledo faces an immediate challenge in replacing five stalwart starters. DonTrell Moore, the greatest running back in school and conference history, three-time all-MWC center Ryan Cook, first team all-conference wide receiver Hank Baskett III, two-year starting offensive tackle Terrance Pennington and tight end Logan Hall all left ample shoes to fill.
Fortunately, senior quarterback Kole McKamey returns for his third season as the starter and once again has the luxury of playing behind perhaps the top offensive line in the MWC, led by senior tackle Robert Turner. Turner, a first team all-MWC pick at guard last fall, is one of three returning starters up front, along with senior guard Bo Greer and junior tackle Anthony Kilby.
Junior wide receiver Travis Brown and senior tight end John Mulchrone flourished in Toledo’s West Coast-style system during the spring and will be dangerous receiving threats this season. Sophomore fullback Matt Quillen is a tremendous blocking force and surprising receiving threat out of the backfield, but the tailback picture remains a bit of a mystery entering the fall. Three backs, junior Martellius Epps and sophomores Paul Baker and Rodney Ferguson, shared carries during the spring and will battle for the starting job once again during preseason camp. All three have shown outstanding ability in certain areas, but the UNM coaches are still looking for one player to rise above the others and claim the job as his own.
With the experienced talent in the passing game and on the offensive line, the New Mexico offense has the ability to be one of the most explosive and balanced units in the league. Virtually every position player on the field is a threat in Toledo’s system and a bevy of trick plays promises to keep the opposing defense on its toes. The development of young talent in the backfield and speed with which the players master the new scheme will ultimately be the key to success for the unit in ’06.
Quarterbacks
Boasting excellent speed, tremendous leadership and underrated arm strength, senior Kole McKamey (Artesia, N.M.) has quietly been one of the Mountain West Conference’s best starting quarterbacks over the past three years when healthy. McKamey turned in a breakthrough campaign in 2005, putting up career numbers both passing and rushing, to lead one of the league’s most balanced offenses until a back injury sidelined him for the final two games.
Required to learn his third different system in three years, McKamey adapted quickly and thrived in Bob Toledo’s new scheme during spring practice. He consistently spread the ball around to several different targets, including the tight ends and fullbacks, and sharpened his technique throwing the deep ball to give the offense true big play potential.
While his speed and agility have made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league, the Lobos’ old option offense also exposed McKamey to a lot of direct hits, forcing him to miss all or part of five games over the past two seasons. With the option shelved, the UNM coaching staff believes McKamey will benefit with a successful, healthy season. Opponents that forget about the mobile signal caller, however, could find themselves chasing from behind after he takes off down the field.
McKamey leads a strong UNM quarterback group that includes two experienced players in senior Chris Nelson (Garden City, Kan.) and junior Bryan Clampitt (Dallas, Texas), and a bright young prospect in redshirt freshman Donovan Porterie (Port Arthur, Texas). Subbing for an injured McKamey, Nelson showed real poise and leadership as he led the Lobos’ to a pair of come-from-behind wins on the road last year. Though a broken collarbone, which he suffered in the season finale, continued to hamper him during the spring, Nelson gives the coaching staff the luxury of having a battle-tested, dependable back up to McKamey.
Clampitt also proved quite capable in limited time last fall, coming off the bench in place of an injured Nelson to throw for 129 yards and a TD on 11-17 passing in the second half against Air Force. Porterie, meanwhile, showed the ability to be the Lobos’ quarterback of the future, earning Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors while redshirting the 2005 season.
Tailbacks
With DonTrell Moore’s stellar four-year career complete, all eyes have been focused on the competition for the Lobos’ starting tailback position. Junior Martelius Epps (Dangerfield, Texas) and sophomores Paul Baker (Arlington, Texas) and Rodney Ferguson (Albuquerque, N.M.) officially opened tryouts for the vacant position during the spring and will continue their tight battle throughout preseason practice. Whoever emerges as the top back will be getting his first significant experience at the collegiate level as the trio has a combined 14 carries and 53 yards in their careers.
Epps, who switched from defensive back last year, used his game-breaking speed in the open-field and fearless interior running to move atop the depth chart during spring practice. However, with Baker’s elusiveness and Ferguson’s smash-mouth power between the tackles, the coaching staff has two other viable contenders for the top spot. All three players possess excellent receiving skills out of the backfield, but must master the new offensive system in order to take the next step in their development.
While head coach Rocky Long has traditionally redshirted every incoming freshman, highly touted rookies Mike Love (Rio Rancho, N.M.) and Amadeus Waters (Kyle, Texas) could factor into the tailback competition with an impressive fall camp. Both powerful runners, Love (5-10, 205) was the high school Player of the Year in New Mexico last fall, while Waters (5-10, 220) was one of the top-ranked running backs in the country as a senior.
Fullbacks
New Mexico’s fullbacks will play a greater role in the new offense, primarily as lead blockers and receivers out of the backfield. Sophomore Matt Quillen (Albuquerque, N.M.) saw ample time in 2005 and may already be the best true fullback in the Mountain West Conference. A punishing blocking force at 6-0, 261, Quillen also displayed excellent hands, deceptive athletic ability, and a real understanding of the new system during the spring. While the coaching staff would like to see him trim down a bit during the summer, Quillen is expected be an integral part of the Lobo offense in 2006.
Senior Yimin Bauman (Phoenix, Ariz.) could also see some time on game day after moving from linebacker to fullback midway through spring practice. Bauman turned a lot of heads with his play late in the spring and gives UNM much-needed depth at the position. Burly tailback Rodney Ferguson will also slide over to fullback during certain packages this fall.
Wide Receivers
The UNM wide receivers could emerge as one of the most surprising units on the team this year. While Hank Baskett III carried the group with 121 receptions and 1,979 yards over the past two years, several players are eager and able to step up and share the load this season in Bob Toledo’s expanded passing attack.
Junior Travis Brown (West Covina, Calif.) had a breakout spring practice season and should be one of the top receiving threats in the conference this fall. A regular in the wide receiver rotation the past two years, Brown displayed much improved hands, picked up the new offensive scheme quickly and developed a strong rapport with quarterback Kole McKamey during the spring. With his improved technique combined with already ample speed, solid blocking ability and a fearless attitude, Brown is poised for his best collegiate season in 2006.
Fellow junior Marcus Smith (San Diego, Calif.) has all the physical tools to be an elite college wide receiver and will get his first chance to prove it as a starter this fall. Boasting top-flight speed and tremendous athletic ability, the former running back is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Experience and consistency are the only things that have kept Smith from being a true force at wide receiver, but the door is open for a breakthrough campaign in 2006.
The Lobos also return dependable senior Thomas Wilson (Chico, Calif.), a 10-game starter in 2005, as well as sophomores Jonathan Brooks (Tucson, Ariz.) and Jason Caprioli (Bakersfield, Calif.). All three players have proven to be solid targets in the passing game, finding ways to get open and catching the ball when they do.
Redshirt freshman Daryl Jones (Tampa, Fla.) has shown promising flashes during practice and could work his way into the rotation with a strong fall camp. Speedy junior transfer Jermaine McQueen (Raleigh, N.C.) has the ability to stretch the field and could also find his way into a significant role if he is able to quickly get comfortable in the offense during the preseason.
Tight Ends
The tight ends will also be key figures in the new offense this season, creating mismatches as receivers in the secondary and helping to block up front as well. Despite graduating 11-game starter Logan Hall, UNM returns a talented group of players in 2006.
Senior John Mulchrone (Chicago, Ill.) is back to lead the unit after recording 12 catches for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a reserve role last year. Perhaps the team’s best pure receiver, Mulchrone has also shown the ability to consistently separate himself from defenders and continues to improve as a blocker. Like receiver Travis Brown, he too developed a solid connection with quarterback Kole McKamey during the spring and should be one of the most productive tight ends in the MWC this fall. Mulchrone will have help, however, with several others in the rotation.
At 6-5, 256, sophomore Chris Mark (Las Vegas, Nev.) has ideal size for the position and emerged as a solid receiving threat this spring. Redshirt freshman Luke Walters (Lakewood, Colo.), meanwhile, was one of the surprises of spring practice, displaying outstanding receiving skills downfield. The coaching staff, however, would like to see both players develop into stronger blockers at the line of scrimmage. Junior transfer Clayton Cardenas (San Diego, Calif.), brings good size (6-3, 250) to the position and could challenge for playing time with a strong fall camp.
Offensive Line
Three starters are back to lead The Hitmen this year, led by All-America candidate Robert Turner (Austin, Texas). Senior guard Bo Greer (Princeton, Ind.) and junior tackle Anthony Kilby (Albuquerque, N.M.) also return to form the core of the group, which has been the league’s best over the past three years. However, the departure of three-time all-MWC center Ryan Cook and two-year starting tackle Terrance Pennington to the NFL leaves two big holes to fill on the line.
After earning first team all-MWC honors at guard last fall, Turner replaced Pennington at right tackle during the spring, a move former teammate and current St. Louis Rams starter Claude Terrell also made as a senior. Turner, Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy candidate, trimmed down to 304 pounds to maximize his mobility on the edge, but did not sacrifice any of the power and tenacity that has made him one of the league’s elite linemen. The Lobos’ physical enforcer will have some catching up to do in fall camp, however, as he was held out of full contact scrimmages during the spring after having surgery to repair the wrist he broke during the 2005 season finale.
Greer and Kilby should provide a potent 1-2 punch on the left side in 2006 after starting all 11 games in their first Division I season last fall. The 6-3, 322-pound Greer offers great toughness and leadership to the trenches, while Kilby, at 6-4, 331, has shown the potential to be a dominant force protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
After Cook’s stellar four-year career at center, the torch has been passed to 6-2, 301-pound junior Vince Natali (Park Ridge, Ill.). Smart and aggressive, Natali nearly forced his way into the lineup last fall and should thrive as a first-year starter this season.
An intriguing fall camp battle is shaping up for Turner’s recently vacated right guard spot with several players set to compete for the starting job. Senior Patrick Hodges (Ruidoso, N.M.) and redshirt freshman Erik Cook (Albuquerque, N.M.), Ryan’s younger brother, finished spring as the top candidates to join the starting five, but junior transfers Devin Clark (Mesa, Ariz.) and Matt Streid (Northridge, Calif.) could pose a challenge as well. The player who displays the best understanding of his assignments during preseason practice will likely have a leg up on the competition.
Perhaps the biggest change in the unit this year occurred on the sidelines with Bob Stanley taking over for longtime offensive line coach Bob Bostad during the spring. A 38-year coaching veteran, Stanley served in the same capacity at several schools, including Texas, Texas A&M, Purdue, Akron and most recently a four-year stint at Kansas State. Stanley’s new blocking scheme replaced the strong side, weak side system that required the UNM linemen to line up on either side of the ball depending on the formation. The linemen will now play exclusively on the right or left side.