July 30, 2007
There is a wealth of optimism surrounding the University of New Mexico football program as it enters the 2007 season. With 42 lettermen, including 18 offensive and defensive starters, and six all-Mountain West Conference honorees back from last year’s New Mexico Bowl team, the Lobos expect to challenge for the conference title this fall.
In what many saw as a rebuilding season in 2006, New Mexico won six games for the sixth straight year and made its fourth bowl appearance in the past five years. Nine players earned all-MWC honors, including five first team selections, which were tied for the second-most in the league.
Head coach Rocky Long remains a constant in his 10th year at UNM, guiding his alma mater to a 40-31 record since the 2001 season, including a 27-17 mark in MWC games. Long is the program’s all-time leader in wins (52), games coached (109) and bowl game participation (four).
The Lobos will play a diverse schedule this fall that includes a program-record four nationally televised games on CSTV and VERSUS. UNM opens with a pair against its Rio Grande rivals, traveling to UTEP on Sept. 1 (CSTV) and hosting New Mexico State on Sept. 8. New Mexico takes on Pac-10 foe Arizona (Sept. 15) in the first regular season game between the two since 1990 and wraps up the non-conference slate at home against Sacramento State (Sept. 22).
The Mountain West schedule opens with a bang as the Lobos welcome defending champion BYU to Albuquerque for a CSTV-televised game (Sept. 29). UNM gets a road trip to Wyoming out of the way early (Oct. 13) before visiting San Diego State on Oct. 20 (CSTV). New Mexico returns home for a marquee, nationally televised Thursday night home game against Air Force (Oct. 25 – VERSUS), followed by a visit to league favorite TCU on Nov. 3. The conference slate concludes with home games against Colorado State (Nov. 10) and UNLV (Nov. 24) sandwiched around a road date at Utah (Nov. 17).
OFFENSE
For the second straight season all eyes will be on the Lobo offense, which features a new coordinator for the third year in a row and the fourth different system in as many years. Former Michigan State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin was brought in to replace Bob Toledo, who was named head coach at Tulane following the 2006 season. Baldwin’s versatile and explosive attack put up some impressive numbers at Michigan State and with 17 offensive lettermen and eight starters returning at UNM, he has the talent to make an immediate impact in 2007.
Three new position coaches will also add some excitement to the offense with Buzz Preston (formerly at Stanford and Notre Dame) in charge of the running backs, Matt Wells (formerly at Tulsa) directing the wide receivers and former Lobo standout Jason Lenzmeier leading the offensive line – a group that earned its “Hitmen” moniker during his playing days.
The New Mexico backfield is set with junior tailback Rodney Ferguson, the MWC’s leading rusher last year, junior fullback Matt Quillen and sophomore quarterback Donovan Porterie returning to the starting lineup. With Quillen clearing the way, Ferguson will look to build on his first team all-conference season and make a national name for himself in ’07. Porterie, meanwhile, enters his first preseason camp as the starting quarterback. He started 2006 as the No. 3 signal-caller, but went on to earn honorable mention freshman All-America recognition in his debut season.
Seniors Travis Brown and Marcus Smith established themselves as one of the top wide receiver tandems in UNM history last fall, combining for 117 receptions, 1,726 yards and 13 touchdowns, despite catching passes from three different starting quarterbacks. Brown led the team in both receptions and yards to earn first team all-MWC honors, while Smith was an honorable mention all-conference pick after averaging 16.2 yards per catch and pulling in nine touchdowns.
Three senior starters return on the offensive line, including a pair of all-conference candidates in tackle Devin Clark and guard Anthony Kilby. Clark made an immediate impact in his first Division I season last fall, earning some of the team’s top grades in 12 starts. Kilby, a two-year starter at tackle, enjoyed a strong late season surge and could be a dominant player at guard this year. Center Vince Natali, meanwhile, started all 13 games last year, and will bolster the strength of the unit when he returns in August after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Senior Bart Miller and sophomore Erik Cook will battle for the open job at right guard, while three junior college signees will compete for the starting spot at left tackle.
Junior Chris Mark will open preseason camp as the new starter at tight end, but will have competition from sophomore Luke Walters. Three transfers were also signed to battle for the job this fall.
Quarterbacks
Promising sophomore Donovan Porterie (Port Arthur, Texas) returns as the starter after showing flashes of brilliance in 2006. Possessing a live arm, excellent agility and outstanding poise in the pocket, the 6-3, 206-pound Porterie led the Lobos to three straight wins in his debut season last fall, but also struggled at times with injuries and inconsistency.
Sophomore Donovan Porterie rallied the Lobos to victories in his first three collegiate starts. |
He turned in a strong spring season in which he displayed more confidence and began to embrace as a team leadership role. New coordinator Dave Baldwin, meanwhile, pushed him hard each day in practice to polish his technique and master the versatile new system. If he can make another developmental leap, Porterie could emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the Mountain West this year and will be a catalyst for the Lobos’ offensive success.
Veteran Bryan Clampitt (Dallas, Texas) will enter preseason camp as the No. 2 signal caller, but could push Porterie with his outstanding work ethic on the field and in the film room. The 6-5, 225-pound senior has taken snaps under center in just one game, but is a steady pocket passer and confident in his ability to lead the offense.
Blair Peterson (San Antonio, Texas), a 21-year-old true freshman, will open fall camp third on the depth chart, but also expects to challenge the Lobo veterans after a successful spring practice debut. Fellow rookie Brad Gruner (Chandler, Ariz.) will add another talented arm to the group, while sophomore Victor James (Denver, Colo.) brings excellent strength and athleticism to the mix.
Tailbacks
An unknown commodity on his own team entering the 2006 season, junior Rodney Ferguson (Albuquerque, N.M.) went on to lead the Mountain West Conference in rushing and earn first team all-conference honors in his first year as a starter. The powerful 6-0, 229-pounder closed the season with a 450-yard burst in his final three games en route to a season total of 1,234 rushing yards with seven touchdowns. Ferguson also proved to be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield (28 catches, 291 yards, two touchdowns) and was surprisingly explosive with 14 plays of 20 yards or more.
With his starting job secure, Ferguson will look to polish his all-around game, including ball security, as he familiarizes himself with the new offense during the preseason. With the continued development of the UNM passing game and improving offensive line play up front, Ferguson appears poised for another big year in 2007.
Promising redshirt freshman Mike Love (Rio Rancho, N.M.) will open preseason camp as Ferguson’s back-up, but junior Paul Baker (Arlington, Texas) has also proven to be a capable change-of-pace runner off the bench. The 6-0 Love has gotten bigger and stronger, bulking up to 221 pounds, since arriving at UNM and has good speed in the open field as well. The 5-7, 195-pound Baker, meanwhile, uses outstanding quickness and agility to pick up tough yards and is also a receiving threat out of the backfield.
The tailback corps will get a boost from a pair of talented true freshmen in C.J. Oakley (Alamogordo, N.M.) and James Wright (Dallas, Texas). Oakley (6-1, 210) was an athletic, productive dual threat back throughout his prep career, while Wright (5-11, 210) showed tremendous potential against top-flight competition in the Metroplex.
Fullbacks
The Lobos boast one of the best blocking fullbacks in the country in junior Matt Quillen (Albuquerque, N.M.). The burly 6-0, 250-pounder helped pave the way for Rodney Fergson’s breakthrough season in 2006 and was effective with the ball in his hands when given the chance. Though offseason shoulder surgery forced him to miss the spring season, Quillen will be back to full health and ready to pick up where he left off when preseason camp begins.
Redshirt freshman Josh Fussell (Plant City, Fla.), a converted tight end, will open the preseason backing up Quillen after getting the bulk of the fullback reps during the spring. Fellow redshirt freshman Jered Metzger (Albuquerque, N.M.) could also work his way up the depth chart this fall. The 6-2, 235-pound Fussell gives the Lobos an H-back receiver/blocker option in the backfield, while the 5-11, 247-pound Metzger provides pure power blocking.
Wide Receivers
Led by perhaps the top tandem of pass catchers in the Mountain West Conference, New Mexico should have a deep, talented wide receiver group in 2007. Seniors Travis Brown (West Covina, Calif.) and Marcus Smith (San Diego, Calif.) were relative unknowns entering the 2006 season, but turned in breakthrough campaigns to spark the passing attack.
Brown moved into the top-10 all-time at UNM with 64 receptions (867 yards, four touchdowns) last year and enters the ’07 season having caught a pass in 25 straight games. The 6-3, 189-pounder dropped just two passes the entire season, displayed real toughness across the middle, good speed downfield and was also an excellent blocker in his first team all-MWC campaign.
Marcus Smith led the team with nine receiving touchdowns last year. |
Smith, meanwhile, came into his own in ’06, showing flashes of next-level talent in his first year as a starter. The honorable mention all-conference pick was one of the most explosive receivers in the league, racking up 859 yards and nine touchdowns on his 53 catches (16.2 avg.). A powerful 6-2 and 214 pounds, Smith turned in a fine spring and appears poised to become a more consistent playmaker this fall.
While Brown and Smith have the bulk of the gameday experience in the group, several promising players could make a name for themselves off the bench this season.
Sophomore Daryl Jones (Tampa, Fla.) secured the No. 3 receiver spot with an excellent spring. At 6-3, 207, Jones gives UNM another big target and has shown good athleticism as he continues to polish his route running and overall technique.
Redshirt freshman Chris Hernandez (Las Cruces, N.M.) displayed phenomenal hands during the spring season and, despite his youth, the lanky 6-3, 185-pounder may prove too talented to keep off the field this fall. Steady junior Jonathan Brooks (Tucson, Ariz.) has shown his abilities on the practice field, bulked up a bit in the offseason (6-1, 189) and could also push for a spot in the rotation this season.
Tight Ends
The tight end position will feature some intense competition during preseason camp with several players battling for the top two positions. Junior Chris Mark (Las Vegas, Nev.) has prototypical size at 6-5, 257 and is a fine receiver as well. If his blocking technique and overall consistency continue to improve, Mark could be poised for a breakthrough season in 2007.
Sophomore Luke Walters (Lakewood, Colo.) enters fall camp No. 2 on the depth chart, but could be the Lobos’ best pass catching tight end. Walters bulked up (6-4, 238) in the offseason to become more of a presence at the line of scrimmage.
Sophomore transfer Trey Buckley (Long Beach, Calif.), a 6-4, 232-pounder, could push for time after getting a full spring season under his belt, while 6-3, 249-pound sophomore Mitch Straub (Waterloo, Neb.) has the build to make an impact in the trenches. A converted defensive end, Straub sat out the 2006 season after transferring from Kansas State.
A pair of burly transfers in junior DeAndre Davis (Meadville, Miss.) and sophomore Tim Merrill (Anaheim, Calif.) will make their debut in August. The 6-2, 245-pound Davis was primarily a blocking force in junior college, while the 6-5, 270-pound Merrill showed some receiving ability with 11 catches last year.
Offensive Line
After an up-and-down 2006 campaign, the offensive line will look to reclaim their “Hitmen” status this fall under new position coach and former Lobo standout Jason Lenzmeier. Injuries slowed the progress during the spring, but with everyone now healthy the unit will look to erase the question marks with a convincing preseason camp performance. There is plenty of size, talent and experience to work with, however, and three senior starters return from a year ago.
Right tackle Devin Clark (Mesa, Ariz.) missed much of spring practice with an ankle injury, but improved by leaps and bounds last year in his first Division I season. Clark quietly became one of the top linemen in the Mountain West and showed pro potential playing next to longtime standout guard Robert Turner. With Turner now in the NFL, the powerful 6-4, 312-pound Clark must take on a greater role on the right side of the line this fall.
Senior Devin Clark was one of the team’s top graded linemen in his first Division I season last fall. |
A two-year starter (24 games) at tackle, Anthony Kilby (Albuquerque, N.M.) slid over to left guard where his massive size and strength can be better utilized. At 6-5, 332, Kilby is a dominant run blocker and has worked hard to solidify his pass protection.
Center Vince Natali (Park Ridge, Ill.) will be looking to close his career with a strong, consistent 2007 season. The 6-2, 308-pounder was outstanding at times as a first year starter in ’06 and has all the tools to be an elite player. Healthy again after undergoing shoulder surgery in the spring, Natali’s play will be a key to the line’s improvement this fall.
As many as six players will battle in August for the two open starting positions at left tackle and right guard.
Transfers Sylvester Hatten (Quincy, Fla.) and Ivan Hernandez (Salem, Ore.) will battle for the starting job at left tackle during the pivotal preseason training camp. Hatten (6-3, 308) was a junior college All-American last year and gained valuable experience at both tackle and guard during the spring. Hernandez (6-6, 295) was a late signee, but has the size and attitude to push for time right away.
Fifth-year senior Bart Miller (Elk Grove Village, Ill.) will get the first chance to claim the starting guard spot and is eager to make an impact after being slowed by injuries much of his career. Miller (6-4, 295), however, will have to beat out promising sophomore Erik Cook (Albuquerque, N.M.). The 6-6, 312-pound Cook saw significant gameday action at center late last season and worked at both positions during the spring. Hatten and 6-5, 285-pound junior transfer Tyler Boyett (Greenville, Miss.) could also factor into the guard battle.