Aug. 2, 2008
The University of New Mexico looks to build on one of the most successful seasons in program history when it begins the 2008 campaign. Head coach Rocky Long – the Dean of Mountain West Conference coaches – returns for his 11th season at his alma mater where he has developed one of the most consistent winners in the MWC.
Since 2001, New Mexico is the only team in the Mountain West to record at least six wins every year and never post a losing record in conference play. The Lobos’ overall record during that span is a program-record 49-35. UNM has also played in five bowl games over the past six seasons and in 2007 it snapped a 46-year bowl drought to become the fourth New Mexico team in 109 seasons to win at least nine games (9-4).
The 2008 season promises plenty of intrigue with several up-and-coming players looking to make a name for themselves on offense, defense and special teams, along with the most challenging and attractive non-conference schedule in program history on tap this fall.
The New Mexico Offense
The Lobos must replace the most productive wide receiver tandem in school history in first team all-MWC players Travis Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) and Marcus Smith (Baltimore Ravens) along with four starters on the offensive line, including first team all-conference picks Devin Clark (Washingon Redskins) and Vince Natali. After four different systems in four years, however, offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin returns for a second season in Albuquerque armed with a bevy of talent in the backfield.
Two-time first team all-MWC running back Rodney Ferguson, third-year starting quarterback Donovan Porterie and running back Paul Baker – ESPN’s New Mexico Bowl Player of the Game – are all back along with one of the best blocking fullbacks in the nation in Matt Quillen.
While Brown and Smith are gone, Porterie will have plenty of targets in the passing game with starting tight end Chris Mark and five veteran receivers returning, including six-game starter Roland Bruno and spring practice sensation Jermaine McQueen.
Up front the offensive line unit, better known as The Hitmen, is led by versatile junior Erik Cook, who started nine times, playing tackle, guard and center in 2007. The Lobos also got a big boost during the spring with the return of senior tackle Sylvester Hatten – a five-game starter last fall – and the emergence of talented redshirt freshman tackle Byron Bell, along with promising junior college transfers Joshua Taufalele (OG) and Ben Contreras (C).
Quarterback
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Junior Donovan Porterie (Port Arthur, Texas) enjoyed a breakthrough 2007 season, throwing for 3,006 yards – the most by a Lobo since 1994 – and 15 touchdowns, with just nine interceptions. Porterie, who owns a 12-4 record as a full-time starter, capped his sophomore campaign with a career-high 354-yard performance against Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl.
For the first time in his collegiate career, Porterie will run the same offense in consecutive years. His increased comfort level resulted in greater leadership during the spring, which coaches say will be one of the keys to the Lobos’ offensive success and perhaps an all-MWC season for Porterie in 2008.
None of the players behind Porterie have taken snaps under center in a college game, but redshirt freshman Brad Gruner (Chandler, Ariz.) and sophomore transfer Tate Smith (Odessa, Texas) are impressive young gun-slingers, while junior Victor James (Denver, Colo.) is a dangerous option threat.
Running Back
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Senior Rodney Ferguson (Albuquerque) is one of the most physical running backs in the nation and has been incredibly productive as a starter with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. After being declared academically ineligible for the New Mexico Bowl, Ferguson turned in one of the best springs of his career on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.
Fellow senior Paul Baker (Arlington, Texas) had an MVP-caliber performance in the New Mexico Bowl, racking up 167 rushing yards and 209 scrimmage yards in his first game as the featured back. His quickness and agility are a perfect complement to the punishing Ferguson.
Senior Matt Quillen (Albuquerque) is among the best blocking fullbacks in the country and an unheralded force in the Lobo offense. Sophomore fullback Josh Fussell (Plant City, Fla.), meanwhile, is a tremendous receiving threat out of the backfield. Look for powerful redshirt freshman tailback James Wright (Dallas, Texas) to get some carries as well after an outstanding spring.
Wide Receiver
WR Roland Bruno |
Hard-working junior Roland Bruno (Beaumont, Texas) is the Lobos’ top returning receiver after catching 21 passes for 186 yards in his debut season (six starts). The former walk-on has excellent quickness, route-running ability and hands, and is pound-for-pound the best blocker of the group.
The emergence of senior Jermaine McQueen (Raleigh, N.C.) was one of the stories of the spring. The speedy McQueen, who took fourth in the 100 meters at the `08 MWC Track Championships, showed much improved hands and concentration, and is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
Rangy sophomore Chris Hernandez (Las Cruces, N.M.) has caught everything thrown his way on the practice field and muscled up in the offseason. Junior Daryl Jones (Tampa, Fla.) is experienced and powerful, while promising sophomore transfer Bryant Williams (Edina, Minn.) and athletic redshirt freshman Michael Scarlett (Albuquerque) will see time in the rotation as well.
Tight End
TE Chris Mark |
Senior Chris Mark (Las Vegas, Nev.) established himself as a dangerous red zone target as a first-year starter in 2007 with three of his 12 catches going for touchdowns along with a pair of two-point conversion receptions. At 6-6, 257 he has prototypical size for the position and has developed into a legitimate dual threat as a receiver and blocker. Look for Mark to play a more prominent role in the passing game in 2008 to help offset the loss of 1,000-yard wide receivers Travis Brown and Marcus Smith.
Junior Mitch Straub (Waterloo, Neb.) moved from defensive end to tight end last year and brings an aggessive, physical attitude to the position. Known primarily as a run blocker, Straub made strides as a receiver and route runner during the spring. He will continue to be the first tight end off the bench, particularly in short yardage situations, in 2008.
Junior Tim Merrill (Anaheim, Calif.) and true freshman Lucas Reed (Tucson, Ariz.), give the Lobos two more imposing targets in the passing game and could make an impact on gameday as they develop their blocking technique.
Offensive Line
OL Erik Cook |
After starting the final eight games of 2007 at tackle, versatile junior Erik Cook (Albuquerque) is poised for a breakthrough year at either guard or center this fall. The younger brother of three-time all-MWC center and current Minnesota Vikings starting tackle Ryan Cook, he has excellent athletic ability and made big strides in the weight room during the offseason. Coaches are counting on him to be the veteran leader of The Hitmen in 2008.
Cook will open training camp as the starting center, but could slide to guard if former junior college All-American Ben Contreras (Pleasanton, Calif.) continues his development at the position. After a slow start, Contreras came on late in the spring and proved to be a viable starting option in the middle.
Senior Sylvester Hatten (Quincy, Fla.) and redshirt freshman Byron Bell (Greenville, Texas) moved closer to securing the starting tackle jobs after strong spring seasons. Hatten started five games at left tackle during a tumultuous `07 season, but was one of the unit’s most dependable players on and off the field during the spring. Bell, meanwhile, could be the first freshman to start at OT for the Lobos since 1994 and has the potential to finish his career as one of the best linemen to come through the program.
Junior transfer Joshua Taufalele (San Jose, Calif.) worked his way up the depth chart during the spring and is expected to be a solid, physical force at right guard as he continues to master the offense. Sophomore Mike Cannon (Valrico, Fla.) finished the spring as the starter at left guard, but could return to a reserve role if Cook slides to guard. Highly touted sophomore transfer Maurice Mears (Miami, Fla.) could push for time at tackle or guard when he makes his debut during training camp.
The New Mexico Defense
Head coach Rocky Long and new defensive coordinator Troy Reffett – a four-year veteran of the staff – direct a gang-tackling defensive unit that finished 13th in the country in 2007. New Mexico, however, must replace a pair of speed rush ends in Tyler Donaldson and Michael Tuohy, as well as four veteran linebackers.
Led by the sensational cornerback tandem of DeAndre Wright and Glover Quin, and three returning starters at safety in Blake Ligon, Clint McPeek and Ian Clark, the Lobos’ five-man secondary could be one of the nation’s best units in 2008. Safety Frankie Solomon and cornerback Jerome Jenkins give UNM two more veteran playmakers in the rotation.
Thanks to the heavy rotation of players on gameday, the cupboard is far from bare in the front seven with five returning lettermen on the defensive line and four veterans back at linebacker. Two-year starting nose tackle Wesley Beck returns to anchor the middle of the line along with experienced backup Jeremiah Lovato. Defensive ends Kevin Balogun, Philip Harrison and Kendall Briscoe, meanwhile, have shown flashes of excellence in a reserve role and could be poised for breakthrough seasons as they compete for starting jobs on the edge.
Veterans Zach Arnett and Herbert Felder will fill two of the empty starting spots at linebacker after three years of regular gameday action at the position. Their supporting cast, however, will feature plenty of new faces. Special teamer Terel Anyaibe will get the first crack at the starting job on the right side, while another promising special teams contributor in Seth Johannemann and second-year man Carmen Messina will open the fall backing up Arnett and Felder, respectively.
Defensive Line
NT Wesley Beck |
Senior Wesley Beck (Houston, Texas) – a former walk-on – has started 20 of his 25 games at nose tackle and developed into a powerful run-stopper, adding over 20 pounds to his frame over the past two years. Experienced and savvy, Beck is the anchor of the unit.
After being plagued by injuries early in his career, senior Kevin Balogun (Odessa, Texas) is primed to make a name for himself in `08. Balogun will team with promising junior Phillip Harrison (Albuquerque) to give UNM a pair of big, powerful projected starters on the edge.
Like Beck, fellow senior and former walk-on Jeremiah Lovato (Albuquerque) is one of the most improved players in the program over the past two years, playing 23 games at either spot on the line. Incredible in the weight room and a tough, high-motor force in the trenches, Lovato will need to recover from a foot injury, which ended his spring season after one week.
Junior Kendall Briscoe (Dallas, Texas) – a 23-game veteran – bulked up in the offseason and will get significant time at either end or nose tackle. Redshirt freshman end Jaymar Latchison (New York), meanwhile, could be the team’s best pass rusher.
Linebacker
LB Zach Arnett |
Senior Zach Arnett (Albuquerque) could be the smallest starting middle linebacker in the country, but also one of the toughest and most intelligent as well. The leader of the defense, Arnett led all UNM reserves with 64 tackles last fall, while his 7.5 tackles for loss were the best among the LBs.
Fellow senior Herbert Felder (Apopka, Fla.) is the most powerful LB and has shown the ability to be be a dominant playmaker. He had 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in `06 and his two forced fumbles last year were both critical, late-game plays. Felder should easily surpass his career total of 48 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter.
Sophomore Terel Anyaibe (DeSoto, Texas) finished the spring as the new starter on the right side. He has just seven games of special teams action under his belt, but is an expolosive player who showed great potential on the practice field.
Redshirt freshman Carmen Messina (Addison, Ill.) and sophomore Seth Johannemann (Lincoln City, Ind.) lead a solid group of prospects battling for a spot in the gameday rotation. Junior transfer Tray Hardaway (Olive Branch, Miss.) should be a factor as well after a productive JC career.
Cornerback
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Few teams in the country can boast a cornerback tandem as skilled as New Mexico seniors DeAndre Wright (Clinton, Md.) and Glover Quin (Summit, Miss.) who enter their third season starting together at the most high pressure position in the blitzing Lobo defense.
A preseason All-America candidate, Wright has started 26 consecutive games at corner where he uses his speed and athleticism to eliminate his side of the field. In `07 he led the team with 12 passes defended and allowed just two long passes (15+ yards) over the final 10 games. He had just 11 passes thrown his way in man coverage over the final seven games as most QBs chose not to challenge him downfield.
A big-hitting, lock-down cover man, Quin uses outstanding technique and physical play to frustrate opposing WRs and is sensational against outside runs and screens. A groin injury slowed him in the first five games of `07, but he had 10 passes defended in his final eight games after returning to full health.
Physical sophomore Jerome Jenkins (Houston, Texas) returns as the No. 3 corner and will see plenty of action off the bench once again in 2008.
Safety
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Senior wolf safety Blake Ligon (San Angelo, Texas) enters his third year as a starter and is the Lobos’ active leader with 135 career tackles in his 35 games (22 starts). The lanky Ligon missed the spring after undergoing shoulder surgery, but should be one of the most active safeties in the MWC this fall.
Junior Clint McPeek (Albuquerque) – a former walk-on – teams with the incredibly productive Ian Clark (Albuquerque) to give UNM a pair of returning starters at the linebacker/safety hybrid lobo position. McPeek bulked up to 227 in the offseason without sacrificing any of his speed or coverage skills and will open training camp atop the depth chart. Clark, who led the team with 79 tackles in `07, missed spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery, but will be a key player at either safety spot this fall.
Junior Frankie Solomon (Dallas, Texas) may not have ideal size, but has proven to be a fearless, physical playmaker on the field since joining the regular rotation as a true freshman. He’ll get his first starting opportunity this fall after recording 62 tackles, six PBUs and two INTs in 23 career games off the bench.
The New Mexico Special Teams
The Lobo special teams will face quite a challenge in 2008 with open auditions for a new kicker, punter, deep snapper and holder expected to last well into August. Few programs in the country, however, have proven as adept at excelling in this type of situation as New Mexico.
UNM has had three former walk-ons earn first team all-MWC honors at kicker since 2003 and another former walk-on in punter Jordan Scott earn honorable mention all-league recognition last fall. The 2007 season saw the UNM walk-on program at its finest with unknown John Sullivan going from non-scholarship kicker to consensus All-American in the span of a semester.
Freshmen kickers James Aho (Roswell, N.M.) and Drew Zamora (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished the spring in a tight battle for the starting job. Both displayed excellent leg strength with Aho proving to be a bit more reliable in April.
Junior Adam Miller (Santa Fe, N.M.) has one of the strongest punting legs UNM has seen in many years, but must improve his consistency in order to hold off the competition during training camp. The competition for deep snapper, meanwhile, is wide open with a true freshman likely to get the nod in August.
Defensive backs DeAndre Wright, Ian Clark and Frankie Solomon give UNM a trio of experienced and dangerous return men for kicks and punts. Wright led the Mountain West Conference with a 25.9-yard kickoff return average in 2006, while Clark led the team with a 14.4-yard average on seven punt returns last fall before suffering an injury. Solomon, meanwhile, had a long of 30 on 19 punt returns in `07.
New Mexico should once again be among the premier kick and punt coverage teams in the MWC this fall, led by `07 UNM co-Special Teams Player of the Year Frankie Baca (Albuquerque) and veteran special teams ace Jake Bowe (Albuquerque). The Lobos were the league’s stingiest punt team and ranked second in kickoff coverage last year.