Aug. 13, 2007
Former University of New Mexico standout Brandon Ratcliff passed away early in morning of Aug. 12 in Dallas at the age of 26. Ratcliff played safety at New Mexico from 1999-2003, earning first team all-Mountain West Conference honors as a junior and senior. He was also voted MWC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2000 and helped the Lobos to Las Vegas Bowl berths in 2002 and ’03.
“We’re all very saddened by this,” said UNM head coach Rocky Long. “Brandon was a great player for us and helped our program reach new heights during his time here. We’ll always remember him and he’ll have a special place in our hearts.”
Ratcliff tallied 216 tackles, seven interceptions, 14 pass break-ups, 22.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 39 games (32 starts), playing both the wolf (strong) and lobo (free) safety positions. He also averaged 21.6 yards on 35 career kickoff returns with a long of 44.
New Mexico finished among the top-30 in the nation in total defense each of his three years (2000, 2002-03).
Ratcliff enjoyed one of his best performances in his final collegiate game, recording seven tackles (six solo), a 20-yard interception, a pass break-up and returned a kickoff 40 yards to set-up a UNM touchdown in the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl versus Oregon State.
The Dallas native was one of the Lobos’ premier defensive playmakers during the 2002 season.
Ratcliff was a two-time first team all-MWC safety. |
In New Mexico’s historic win at BYU, Ratcliff turned the tide of the game early in the second quarter with a 50-yard interception return to set up the Lobos’ first touchdown. He recorded a career-high two interceptions in a bowl clinching win over Wyoming, had career-highs of 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and a safety in a victory over San Diego State and posted a career-high 12 tackles in a double overtime win over Utah.
Ratcliff also recorded New Mexico’s first and only defensive two-point conversion with a 103-yard interception return in a pivotal 25-16 road win at UNLV. He shared game-high honors with eight tackles and combined with Billy Strother for an 11-yard sack in the Las Vegas Bowl versus UCLA.
Ratcliff started 10 of his 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2000 and his 71 tackles were the most by a UNM rookie in six years. He went on to share MWC Co-Freshman of the Year honors with Utah defensive lineman Jason Kaufusi.