Aug. 8, 2007
With seven practices down and 11 to go, University of New Mexico media relations assistants Daniel Archuleta and D.J. Renteria shared their thoughts from the early training camp action. Both the offense and defense have had their moments and things are starting to heat up on the field with the full pad two-a-day practices now underway.
Offensive Quick Hits
by Daniel Archuleta
UNM Athletics Media Relations
In what was by far their best practice since training camp began the Lobo offense looked like they were running on all cylinders on Tuesday morning. The 6 a.m. practice ended with offense squaring off against the defense in a scrimmage. Sophomore quarterback Donovan Porterie hooked up with senior wide receiver Travis Brown on a long pass play, getting behind the secondary for a touchdown. Junior TB Rodney Ferguson shook off a couple of would be tacklers to take it to the house for a 30-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, the offensive line paved the way for Ferguson and also opened huge holes for fullback Matt Quillen, who had a few big runs as well.
The receiver corp is starting to gain some depth. Starters Marcus Smith and Travis Brown are of course the cream of the crop, but the battle for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots is heating up. Sophomore Daryl Jones has been running with the first team and has showed crisp route running as well as great hands. His speed and size are also great attributes for the 6-3, 207-pounder. Redshirt freshman Nicky Lawson is also making waves. He has shown versatility with his blocking ability as well as his hands. Fellow redshirt freshman Chris Hernandez has shown that the future receiving corps could be outstanding as he has made some great catches that were clutch as well.
With four guys competing for the position, Bryan Clampitt has been taking all the snaps with the second team at quarterback. Clampitt is a senior and has seen some playing time in the past, but the quarterback depth chart behind expected starter Donovan Porterie is still up for grabs.
Defensive Quick Hits
by D.J. Renteria
UNM Athletics Media Relations
The Lobos have an experienced and physical bunch of safeties anchored by returning starter OJ Swift and expected contributors Ian Clark, Frankie Baca, Tyson Ditmore, Blake Ligon and Frankie Solomon. The group has been flying around the football with Swift and Baca notching interceptions during scrimmages. Several other safeties have also gotten a hand up to break up a pass. This group struggled with consistency at times in ’06, but appears ready to be steady playmakers in ’07.
The bigger and stronger defensive line has started to assert itself as early in training camp. The starting unit consisting of Tyler Donaldson, Wesley Beck, and Michael Tuohy has arrived in the offensive backfield on many occasions and is starting to really gel together. Tuohy has worked hard to improve his discipline on and off the field, and his presence in the starting unit gives the Lobos a truly dangerous and athletic front line.
The cornerback position is a spot that calls for plenty of skill and experience and the Lobo defense will have two corners that possess vast amounts of both. The junior tandem of Glover Quin and DeAndre Wright combined for 26 starts and 22 PBUs in 2006, and both players have gotten out of the gates well in training camp. Head coach Rocky Long said the key to their season is in their ability to play consistently at a high level. Quin and Wright have already shown that they can make plays in coverage, but they need a strong, solid camp to really polish that every snap consistency entering the season.