Oct. 9, 2006
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The New Mexico Lobos (2-4, 0-2 MWC) look to reverse their fortunes this weekend when they travel to UNLV (1-4, 0-1 MWC). Saturday’s kickoff is 8:06 p.m. Mountain Time from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will be televised live over The mtn. That’s Channel 276 on Comcast Cable in Albuquerque and Channel 329 on Cable-One in Rio Rancho.
The last time UNM started 2-4 was 2004, however, that team went on to win its last five regular-season games and play Navy in the Emerald Bowl. The last 2-5 start was in 1998, which was also the last time the Lobos lost their first three conference games.
Although it had a four-game road winning streak halted at Air Force two weeks ago, New Mexico has been a very formidable team away from home the past few years. UNM is 1-1 this season and was 4-2 last year. In MWC road games, the Lobos are an impressive 6-2 in their last eight tries, 9-3 in their last 12 and 13-5 in the past 18. The Lobos have beaten UNLV in their past two trips to Las Vegas. New Mexico has not lost consecutive MWC road games since the last two tilts in 2000, at UNLV and BYU.
The Lobos suffered a 14-10 home loss to Wyoming last week. UNM led 10-0 at halftime by taking advantage of early Cowboy turnovers. However, New Mexico failed to score after the break in a home game for the third time in four contests this season. The Lobos were only able to generate 190 yards of total offense against a staunch Cowboy defense. New Mexico is 1-3 at home this season and has dropped six of its last seven at University Stadium.
The Rebels come into this Saturday’s game the same way that Wyoming did last week: 1-4 overall, 0-1 in the MWC and saddled with a four-game losing streak. UNLV lost at Colorado State last week 28-7. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime before CSU pulled away in the second half. Like the Lobos, UNLV hard a difficult time moving the football. The Rebels totaled just 57 yards in the first half and finished the game with 250. Casey Flair caught 8 passes for 100 yards.
NEW MEXICO-UNLV SERIES NOTES
It’s the 14th meeting is a series that started in 1978 with a 24-0 New Mexico victory in Albuquerque. The Lobos have a 7-6 series lead. New Mexico has won two straight and four of five since 2001. Despite an early 17-0 lead, UNM held on for a 24-22 victory in last year’s season opener on Labor Day. The Rebels have a 3-2 advantage at Sam Boyd Stadium, however, the Lobos have won the past two there.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
The Lobos and Rebels rank close to each other in several MWC statistical categories. Offensively, both teams are arguably not where they want to be. UNM is averaging 16.7 points and 309.2 yards a game compared to UNLV’s 17.4 points and 309.2 yards of offense. Both teams are producing less than 90 yards a game on the ground. The Rebels totaled 54 points and 506 yards of offense in a season-opening blowout over Idaho State, however, their averages the past four games are just 8.3 points and 260 yards. New Mexico is averaging just 231.5 yards over its past four games.
New Mexico appears to be a tad better than UNLV on defense. UNM is yielding 20.5 points and 333.5 yards a game. The Lobos’ averages have been even better the past three games at 17 points and 280 yards. The Rebels give up 25.4 points a game and are last in the MWC in total defense, allowing 394.2 yards a game.
Lobo sophomore Rodney Ferguson leads the MWC in rushing at just 81.3 yards a game. Ferguson, on pace for almost 1,000 yards over a 12-game season, has 488 of the Lobos’ 519 net rushing yards in 2006. The net total subtracts sacks. UNLV sophomore Casey Flair is 1st in the MWC in receiving yards at 78 a game and 2nd in the league in receptions, averaging 6.2.
HEAD COACH Rocky Long
The school’s career leader in wins, head coach Rocky Long is in his ninth season at his alma mater. The only coach to guide New Mexico to three bowl games, Long has coached more games (102) than any other Lobo mentor. He has a 48-54 record, but is 36-31 since 2001. See p. 12 for more information about Long’s career.
ONE LOBO FROM LAS VEGAS
Sophomore TE Chris Mark is a 2004 graduate of Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas. He is expected to make the trip this week.
MORE ON THE REBELS
UNLV finished 2-9 overall in 2005, 1-7 and in ninth place in the MWC. A total of 41 lettermen are back, including 12 starters, seven on offense.
Now in his second season at UNLV, head coach Mike Sanford has a record of 3-13. Sanford is 0-1 vs. UNM. A quarterback at Southern California from 1973-76, Sanford graduated from USC in 1978. UNM offensive coordinator Bob Toledo was the Trojans’ secondary coach Sanford’s senior season. Sanford coached USC wide receivers from 1986-96, tutoring such notables as Curtis Conway, Johnnie Morton and Keyshawn Johnson. Sanford was Utah’s offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer in 2003-04.
KNEE INJURY FELLS McKAMEY EARLY
Lobo senior QB Kole McKamey was lost for the season after suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament on the third play of the New Mexico State game Sept. 9. He had surgery Sept. 18. McKamey, who does not have a redshirt year available but could appeal to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility, ranks 4th at UNM in career completion percentage (55.4%), 7th in pass completions (279), 8th in TD passes (21), 9th in passing yards (3,359) and 9th in total offense (4,199).
NEW MEXICO-UNLV LAST YEAR IN ALBUQUERQUE
Kole McKamey threw two touchdown passes and Gabriel Fulbright’s interception in the final minute preserved New Mexico’s 24-22 win over UNLV on Labor Day. New Mexico scored on its first three possessions and jumped out to a 17-0 lead, then had to hold off a UNLV fourth quarter rally.
Shane Steichen’s 7-yard pass on fourth down to Donell Wheaton with 1:31 left got the Rebels within 24-22. UNLV went for the two-point conversion, but halfback Erick Jackson was stopped inside the 1 by Lobo safety Aleem Harris. UNLV’s Chanti Bloomer then recovered an onside kick, giving the Rebels possession at the New Mexico 48. On the next play Fulbright stepped in front of UNLV tight end Greg Estandia near the sidelines to pick off Steichen’s pass with 1:20 left.
The combination of McKamey and wide receiver Hank Baskett, a missed extra point by UNLV kicker Sergio Aguayo and a pair of delay of game penalties on the Rebels were the difference. McKamey set career highs in completions by going 20-for-29 and for passing yards with 288. Baskett caught 6 passes for 132 yards. He caught a 47-yard TD pass in the first quarter and pulled in a 48-yard pass from McKamey early in the fourth quarter that set up DonTrell Moore’s 1-yard touchdown.
Jackson scored on runs of 16 and 3 yards for UNLV and Aguayo connected on a 31-yard field goal. But Aguayo’s missed PAT after Jackson’s first touchdown would prove critical. The usually reliable Aguayo was perfect on extra points last season, going 27-for-27.
The Rebels also had to settle for Aguayo’s field goal in the third quarter after having a first-and-goal at the New Mexico 5-yard line. Back-to-back delay of game penalties pushed UNLV back to the 14 and Steichen, under pressure, threw incomplete on third down.
New Mexico scored in the first quarter on Kenny Byrd’s 37-yard field goal, McKamey’s pass to Baskett and a 10-yard McKamey to Moore screen pass.
McKamey was a picture of efficiency in the first quarter in the Lobos’ version of the spread offense. He completed his first five passes and was 9-for-11 for 146 yards in the first period.
TWO YEARS AGO IN LAS VEGAS
DonTrell Moore ran for 141 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries to lead New Mexico to a 24-20 win at UNLV. UNLV was slowed by six turnovers, including four fumbles.
Lobo Freshman WR Marcus Smith rushed for 83 yards, including a 65-yard scoring run down the right sideline with 6:59 left in the third quarter, tying the game at 17. New Mexico took the lead for good when QB Kole McKamey tossed a 34-yard scoring pass to Anthony Carter later in the period. McKamey completed 14 of 26 passes for 92 yards.
Earvin Johnson caught two touchdown passes and finished with 144 yards receiving for UNLV. Dominique Dorsey ran for 110 yards on 18 carries. Shane Steichen threw scoring passes of 19 and 47 yards to Johnson in the first half as UNLV built a 17-10 halftime lead.
After averaging 208 yards of offense in its previous two games, UNM finished with 376 yards, 194 in the first half…New Mexico grounded out 284 rushing yards
The Lobo defense had a big second half, allowing just 3 points and 138 total yards, including 29 yards rushing
UNM forced 6 turnovers, recording 2 interceptions in the 1st half and recovering 4 fumbles in the 2nd half, while playing turnover-free itself. UNM scored 17 points following the Rebel errors. The 6 giveaways tie for the most turnovers by a UNM foe since Rocky Long became head coach in 1998.
Lobo junior P Tyler Gaus was named MWC Special Teams player of the week after the game as he punted 8 times for a 41.6-yard average and dropped four balls inside the Rebels’ 13-yard line. The four kicks came to rest at the 11, 3, 13 and 6-yard lines, respectively. His final boot was 53 yards and was downed at the 6, forcing the Rebels to travel 94 yards for a potential game-winning score.
Junior LB Mike Mohoric recorded 6 tackles, including a pair of sacks that caused fumbles recovered by the Lobos. His first hit on Steichen came after UNLV had marched to the UNM 48 and the score tied at 17. DE Stephen Hutchison pounced on the loose ball and the Lobos scored the eventual game-winning TD five plays later. Mohoric’s second sack preserved the victory. Trailing 24-20, UNLV moved from its own 6 to the Lobo 41 with just over a minute remaining. He jarred the ball loose from QB Kurt Nantkes and LB Fola Fashola covered it.
CB Gabriel Fulbright recorded a pair of interceptions, the second multiple INT game of his career. Fulbright stepped in front of Rebel WR Earvin Johnson on the first UNLV drive of the game, which set up the Lobos’ opening TD drive of 50 yards. He also grabbed a pass intended for Johnson in the endzone late in the 2nd quarter that prevented the Rebels from adding to their 17-7 lead.
WYOMING RECAP AND POSTGAME NOTES
Freshmen Karsten Sween made up for a bad first half with two second half touchdown passes and Wyoming rallied for a 14-10 win over New Mexico Saturday. Sween, who fumbled and was intercepted twice in the first half, finally got the Cowboys’ offense rolling with scoring passes of 12 yards to Hoost Marsh midway through the third quarter and a 4-yard TD pass to Michael Ford with 12:48 left in the game. Sween completed 19 of 32 passes for 204 yards.
Wyoming could do little right in the first half and New Mexico did just enough to take a 10-0 lead. But New Mexico’s offense, which struggled all night, stalled in the second half as neither senior Chris Nelson nor freshman Donovan Porterie could move the chains. New Mexico’s last scoring chance ended at the Wyoming 43 on downs with 1:31 left.
The Lobos’ blitzing defense rattled Sween into three first half turnovers and converted two of them into a 1-yard touchdown run by Rodney Ferguson with 6:19 left in the first quarter and a 45-yard Kenny Byrd field goal in the second quarter.
New Mexico had just three first downs in putting up the 10 points and the signs of the Lobos’ struggles on offense were evident.
Ferguson’s touchdown followed a fumble by Sween at the Cowboys’ 23. Byrd’s field goal came after Lobo defensive back Quincy Black picked off a deflected pass from Sween and returned it 35 yards to the Wyoming 38.
Sween, getting his first start of the season after nearly rallying the Cowboys to a win at Syracuse last week, was intercepted on the Cowboys’ opening drive that reached the Lobo 25. Sween tried to force a pass in the end zone and defensive back DeAndre Wright made the easy pick.
Wyoming had a chance to score in the final seconds of the first half when Ferguson fumbled at the New Mexico 24 and Wyoming nose guard Fred Givens recovered. But kicker Aric Goodman’s 41-yard field goal attempt as time expired was wide right.
But with New Mexico’s offense going nowhere, Wyoming took over in the second half. Wyoming scored on its first possession on a seven-play, 64-yard drive that included a 25-yard pass from Sween to Tyler Holden to the New Mexico 28.
The Cowboys took the lead for good on the Sween to Ford pass that finished off a nine-play, 78-yard drive. Sween hit tight end Chris Sundberg with a 33-yard pass to the New Mexico 21 and two plays later found Holden open for a 13-yarder to the Lobo 6. Three plays later he had Ford open in the middle of the end zone. Wyoming had 318 total yards to New Mexico’s season-low 190.
The Lobos had their 6-game wining streak against Wyoming snapped…UNM also lost to the Cowboys at home for the first time since 1991, a streak that ends at four games
New Mexico is 1-3 at home in 2006 and has dropped 6 of its last 7 at University Stadium
UNM caused 3 Wyoming turnovers, while committing just 1…since 2003, the Lobos had been 19-1 when committing fewer turnovers than the opponent
The Lobos have been outscored 83-15 in the fourth quarter of their last 7 home games
Sophomore CB DeAndre Wright intercepted his second pass of the year on Wyoming’s opening drive…it’s Wright’s 3rd pick of his career
Sophomore TB Rodney Ferguson scored his first rushing touchdown since the 2004 Emerald Bowl vs. Navy…it’s only the second rushing TD of the season for UNM…Ferguson finished with 79 yards on 24 carries
Senior lobo Quincy Black grabbed his 1st interception of the season that he returned 35 yards…it’s the second interception of his UNM career…Black also had 11 tackles, giving him 61 for the season…he is 3rd in the MWC in tackles, averaging 10.2 a game…last year’s UNM tackles leader was Mike Mohoric with 85…the last time a Lobo reached the century mark in a season was 2003 when Daniel Gawronski and Billy Strother each finished with 100 stops
Junior P Jordan Scott hit a career-long 68-yard punt, the longest by a Lobo since 2000…Scott averaged 43 yards on 8 punts
Junior DE Tyler Donaldson set a career-high with 10 tackles, including 2 sacks and a forced fumble that led to the Lobos only TD of the game
Junior WR Travis Brown caught 3 passes for a team-best 59 yards…he has a reception in 18 straight games
UNM had a season-low for first downs (12) for the second straight week
New Mexico allowed 4 sacks and has yielded 27 on the season…UNM gave up just 19 sacks in 11 games in 2005
Senior TE John Mulchrone caught 2 passes for 9 yards…Mulchrone’s 223 receiving yards in five games are already the most by a Lobo TE since 1994 when David Sloan had 320…Mulchrone’s 15 receptions are the most by a Lobo TE since 2002 (Bryan Penley – 17)
Senior K Kenny Byrd converted a 45-yard FG, his first make out of four tries from between 40-49 yards…his season and career long is 52 yards against Missouri…Byrd ranks tied for 2nd all-time at UNM in FG accuracy at 75% (21-28)…he is two 3s from tying Nathan Vail for 8th on the career list
DEFENSE STEPPING UP
After allowing an average of 387 yards through the first three contests, the Lobos have given up an average of just 280 yards the past three games. That’s an average of 114.7 rushing and 165.3 through the air. New Mexico held UTEP (241 yards) and Air Force (281 yards) to season-low offensive totals at the time.
LOOKING FOR SOME “O”
On the other side of the ball, however, the Lobos are searching for some production. UNM ranks 102nd in the nation in rushing offense at 86.5 yards a game. The last time a New Mexico team failed to average at least 100 yards a game for an entire season was 1991 when it averaged just 77.2 yards over 12 games. The Lobos have scored just two rushing TDs on the season.
The Lobos are averaging 286.3 yards a game. UNM averages just 61.8 plays per game, second-lowest in the league to Colorado State’s 61.8. New Mexico is averaging 16.7 points a game, however, that figure is really 15.3 ppg by the offense because UNM has an interception return for a score and a safety.