May 1, 2007
Cherry-Silver Media Luncheon Press Conference Videos
To View the Game on All-Access click on the “Features & Interviews” link in the All-Access portal.
Spring bragging rights will be on the line on Wednesday evening when the new-look University of New Mexico offense takes on the stingy Lobo defense in the annual Cherry-Silver Spring Football Game. The teams will take the field at University Stadium at 6 p.m. with the scrimmage kickoff scheduled for 6:30. Admission is free, concession stands will be open and players will be signing autographs after the game.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and fans should enter through the northwest corner of University Stadium. Representatives from the UNM marketing department will also be on hand to take deposits for 2007 season tickets on the concourse.
The Cherry-Silver Game is the final Division I-A spring football game in the country in 2007 and the latest in head coach Rocky Long’s 10 years at his alma mater. The rest of the I-A programs played their spring game on or before April 28.
The game format will feature four 15-minute quarters. The clock will start and stop as it would in a normal game in the first and fourth quarters, but will run continuously during the second and third quarters. Also, the opening kickoff will be live, but there will be no live kicking thereafter.
This year’s Cherry-Silver game will feature a performance based scoring system for both the offense and defense. Points will be awarded as follows:
Offense
First Down – 1 point
Extra Point – 1 point
Play Over 30 Yards – 2 points
Field Goal – 3 points
Touchdown – 6 points
Defense
Three-and-out on first offensive possession of each drive – 2 points
Any Defensive Stop – 1 point
Fourth Down Stop – 2 points
Turnover Forced – 3 points
Turnover Returned For Touchdown – 9 points
For the first time ever, the spring game will be broadcast live on the GoLobos.com All-Access package. The Voice of the Lobos, Mike Roberts, and former all-conference defensive lineman D.J. Renteria will provide the commentary over video from the coaches camera atop the University Stadium press box. Roberts and Renteria will go on the air at 6:10 p.m.
All-Access membership is free, but a high-speed internet connection and Windows operating system are required.
SPRING NOTES
Offense:
Former Michigan State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has installed a new multiple-look scheme powered by returning all-Mountain West Conference players Travis Brown (first team WR), Rodney Ferguson (first team RB), Marcus Smith (honorable mention WR) and a dynamic young quarterback in sophomore Donovan Porterie. While the offense has predictably had its ups and downs, head coach Rocky Long said the unit is well ahead of where it was in 2006 when former coordinator Bob Toledo installed his offensive system.
Porterie has displayed much improved confidence to go along with his powerful arm and appears to be embracing more of a vocal leadership role on the field. Backup quarterbacks Bryan Clampitt and Blair Peterson have split snaps with the second team offense much of the spring and appear to be deadlocked in their competition for the No. 2 job.
The offensive line has had to deal with significant injuries to two starters this spring. Senior center Vince Natali has missed the entire spring as he recovers from shoulder surgery and senior right tackle Devin Clark was lost after suffering a severely sprained ankle during the first Saturday scrimmage on April 21. Both Natali and Clark are expected to be ready for preseason camp in August.
The Cherry-Silver Game will feature four new starters on the offensive line with redshirt junior Matt Streid at left tackle, sophomore Erik Cook at center, senior Bart Miller at right guard and junior transfer Sylvester Hatten at right tackle. Senior Anthony Kilby, a two-year starter at left tackle, moved to left guard this spring.
Defense:
The Lobo defense has enjoyed a tremendous spring with 10 returning starters and 23 returning lettermen leading the unit. The men in white were outstanding in the first two Saturday scrimmages, including a 34-13 victory over the offense on April 28 in the first scored scrimmage of the spring.
Three new starters have emerged in the secondary with sophomore Ian Clark taking over the Lobo position. With hybrid linebacker Quincy Black’s departure to the NFL, the Lobo position has returned to being a more traditional defensive back spot emphasizing pass coverage.
Sophomore Frankie Solomon and junior Blake Ligon have moved into the starting lineup at the wolf safety positions. Ligon replaced injured senior starter OJ Swift, who underwent successful knee surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus. Swift is expected to make a complete recovery in 3-4 weeks.
Senior Cody Kase, meanwhile, has made a smooth adjustment to playing middle linebacker for the first time in his career. The New Mexico defensive philosophy requires all linebackers to know each spot’s responsibilities, so the transition for Kase, a two-year starter outside, has been relatively simple.
Special Teams:
The battle to replace standout kicker Kenny Byrd suffered a big loss when fifth-year senior John Sullivan tore the ACL in the left knee of his plant leg. Sullivan injured himself while attempting to tackle return man Marcus Smith on a kickoff drill.
Sullivan, however, will not undergo surgery and instead will attempt to kick using a special brace to stabilize his knee. He expects to begin kicking footballs again in a month once the swelling in his knee subsides. Sullivan, who transferred from San Jose State in the spring of 2004, has never appeared in a collegiate game.
Fellow fifth-year senior Eric garrison, however, has shown good potential in live drills. Garrison has been solid inside 40 yards and displayed nice range in the April 28 scrimmage with a 50-yard field goal.
The coaching staff has been experimenting with several different kickoff men who will have to adjust to the new NCAA rule moving kickoffs back to the 30-yard line. Senior punter Jordan Scott has displayed outstanding range and could be a candidate to handle the kickoffs as well if he improves his consistency. Like the extra point and field goal duties, however, the competition for that job will continue well into preseason camp.
Miscellaneous:
New Mexico will move to an early morning practice schedule this fall with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday workouts scheduled to begin at 6 a.m…Monday’s practice time has not been determined yet…the Lobos had four pre-dawn practices during the spring season, which were generally crisp and energetic sessions despite the early wake-up call.
UNM’s indoor practice facility is still on pace to be completed by August 1…the $7 million, 86,100 square foot structure will feature state-of-the-art synthetic grass artificial turf and will be used by all athletic programs at New Mexico…several spring practices this year were held on blustery, windy afternoons that significantly hampered the passing and kicking games.
First-year assistant coaches Dave Baldwin (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jason Lenzmeier (offensive line), Buzz Preston (running backs) and Matt Wells (wide receivers) have adjusted well to the Lobo football program…the fiery Baldwin has been a vocal teacher and very proactive in correcting the quarterbacks and offense as a whole on the field…his multiple-look scheme has employed three and four wide receivers, two tight ends, fullbacks, H-backs, pre-snap shifts, misdirection plays, screens and occasional option elements….the 26-year-old Lenzmeier has also been a vocal, hands-on instructor who is intent on maintaining The Hitmen tradition that he helped start at UNM…Preston has brought a great deal of energy to the practice field and displayed a patient approach to his players…the personable Wells, meanwhile, has displayed a style that is equally stern and supportive.
Season tickets go on sale on June 18…the 2007 season begins on Sept. 1 at UTEP and the home opener will be on Sept. 8 vs. New Mexico State…Homecoming is set for the conference opener versus defending MWC champion BYU on Sept. 29.
Mountain West Conference Football Media Day is scheduled for July 23-24 in Las Vegas…head coach Rocky Long and two players will represent New Mexico at the annual event…the preseason team rankings and all-conference team will be released on July 24.