Sept. 28, 2006
Senior offensive guard Patrick Hodges is a three-year letterman from Ruidoso, N.M. He was born in Santa Fe, then the family moved to Los Lunas before settling in Ruidoso when Hodges started the fourth grade. Hodges is a 2002 graduate of Ruidoso High where he was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines for coach Les Carter. Hodges was an all-state guard as a senior and honorable mention all-state on defense. He excelled in wrestling as well, finishing second in the state as a sophomore and taking the heavyweight title as a junior.
Question: Talk about your experience attending the University of New Mexico?
Patrick Hodges: It’s been fun. It’s given me an extra five years to get an education and an extra five years to play this game that I love. It’s been a good experience. Going to bowl games the first three years was definitely a neat experience.
Q: Were you or your family impacted by the flooding this summer?
PH: Nothing too serious, but after the New Mexico State game I did deal with some minor issues around our house. We had to pump out some water from underneath the house.
Q: Anything specific you have to eat before games?
PH: Sounds strange, but steamed broccoli with my ranch dressing. I’m a broccoli man and I love it to death.
Q: What’s in your future after football?
PH: I’m on track to graduate with a degree in University Studies. I would like to teach and coach in high school; maybe back in Ruidoso or possibly in Chicago because I have a lot of family there from my dad’s side. He’s from Rockton.
Q: What about marriage and a family?
PH: Not until I’m at least 31. I just want to make sure everything is stable in my life – home, career – before I do that.
Q: Who are the funniest Lobos?
PH: (Tailback) Rodney Ferguson. He’s always goofing around in the locker room and making us laugh. (Offensive tackle) Brian Ramsay because he’s got a dry humor.
Q: Any hobbies outside of sports?
PH: I like to hunt with a rifle – anything from deer to elk – but I haven’t been able to do much of it since coming to UNM; just not enough time. Robert (Turner) and I kind of have the same type of hobbies for anything outdoors.
Q: Your were a very successful wrestler in high school. Did you have a favorite wrestler and do you have any ambition to join the pro circuit?
PH: My favorite collegiate wrestler was Brock Lesnar from the University of Minnesota. He was very, very good and a national champion in 2000. Pro wrestling is not in my future, though.
Q: Did you have a job over the summer?
PH: I helped move slot machines for the casino at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. They were remodeling so I was a moving guy, doing the heavy lifting.
Q: What pops into your mind when someone says Rocky Long?
PH: Just an all-around great man. He has been an excellent teacher, kind of like a second father to all of us guys. He’s a good man and good coach.
Q: Who wins a 40-yard dash between you, Bo Greer and Anthony Kilby?
PH: Probably Bo. He’s got a little speed to him. It may not look like it because he’s always talking about what he’s going to eat when he gets home. He’s got some wheels.