May 2, 2007
Final Stats
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico defense put an exclamation point on its stellar spring practice season, as the Silver defenders downed the Cherry offense 38-35 in an entertaining Cherry-Silver Spring Football Game tonight at University Stadium. A thunderstorm delayed the start of the nation’s final spring football game by 30 minutes, but the Lobos’ lightning-quick defense lit up the scoreboard in head coach Rocky Long’s new performance-based scoring system.
The Silver squad forced five turnovers and eight three-and-outs to go along with eight sacks. The black-shirted quarterbacks were declared down once a defensive player got a clean touch on them.
There were some bright spots for the Cherry offense as senior wide receiver Marcus Smith racked up 170 yards on six catches and sophomore quarterback Donovan Porterie went 10-18 for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Smith pulled in a 46-yard pass from Porterie in the third quarter and the duo connected on a 9-yard score three plays later for the Cherry’s lone touchdown of the night. Smith had the longest play of the game on a 54-yard screen pass, however, senior linebacker Major Mosley ran down the speedy wide receiver and popped the ball loose near the sideline.
Mosley also had a pass break-up and tackle for loss to go along with three tackles.
On the run much of the night, Porterie was sacked four times and intercepted once. The Silver defense continued its success against a Cherry offensive line that was missing 2006 starters Vince Natali and Devin Clark, as well as starting fullback Matt Quillen, due to injury. All three are expected back for preseason camp in August.
Senior safety Tyson Ditmore enjoyed a tremendous all-around game for the Silver, notching four tackles, a sack, pass break-up, interception and a forced fumble. Linebackers Cody Kase and Zach Arnett paced the defense with six tackles.
The Silver came within a yard of the end zone on back-to-back drives. Junior Linebacker Herbert Felder snared a Blair Peterson pass attempt and rumbled 17 yards and four plays later sophomore safety Frankie Solomon stepped in front of Porterie’s pass and went 51 yards to the Cherry goal line.Eight different players combined for the defense’s sacks as Arnett, safety Blake Ligon, nose tackle Wesley Beck, Ditmore, defensive ends Phillip Harrison, Kevin Balogun and Tyler Donaldson, and linebacker Terel Anyaibe all stopped the Cherry quarterbacks for loss.
The UNM kicking game was surprisingly effective, despite senior starter Eric garrison sitting out with a knee injury, as three different players combined to go 3-3 on field goals. Junior Yousuf Shakir chipped in a 19-yard attempt in the first quarter and hit his lone extra point attempt, while punters Jordan Scott and Adam Miller connected from 38 and 39 yards, respectively. Scott also booted his first kickoff – now from the 30-yard line – into the end zone.
Elsewhere on offense, senior quarterback Bryan Clampitt finished 8-14 for 66 yards and an interception. True freshman Blair Peterson was 0-4 with an interception and was sacked twice. Junior Jason Caprioli caught four passes for 29 yards, while redshirt freshman Chris Hernandez pulled in two for 20 yards.
The running backs found little room to run with redshirt freshman Mike Love leading the way with 11 yards on four carries.
Quotes From Head Coach Rocky Long:
(on the Cherry-Silver Game)
“We had a lot of fans sit out in the rain before we got started. I really appreciate them staying around so it was good that we got out and played in front of them.”
“We played so many guys, probably 35 on defense and 28 on offense.”
“I thought Donovan (Porterie) had times where he looked really sharp, but he threw an interception. I thought (No. 2 QB) Bryan Clampitt looked the best he’s looked all spring tonight.”
“We had a couple of long passes to (wide receiver) Marcus Smith. He made a great catch on one. He also broke a screen play and went down the sidelines, but (linebacker) Major Mosley chased him down and caused a fumble and the defense got three points because of the turnover. Marcus shouldn’t have fumbled but it was a great job by Major chasing him down.”
“Whenever you play yourself it’s hard to decide who did well and who didn’t.”
“If we would have had everyone healthy we probably would have done much better on offense, but it’s difficult when you’re missing two returning starters.”
(on the spring season)
“I thought it was a really good spring. I like going straight through (having 15 practices in 17 days). I liked working in the mornings. We didn’t have too many serious injuries.”
“We’ve got a lot of young offensive linemen in there who continue to make mistakes, but they’re getting better.”
(general thoughts)
“I think we’re going to be a pretty good football team and we’re going to be one from the start.”
“The only concern I have, and it showed up again tonight, is that we’re a little shaky on the offensive line. We’re going to have to make a lot of improvement before our first game.”
“The skill guys on offense are quality and proven performers. I think all spring the defense has looked pretty good. We’ve got a lot of experience there.”