Sept. 10, 2008
Lobos Football
What: Lobos vs. Arizona
When: Saturday, 6:06 p.m.
Where: University Stadium
Tickets: www.unmtickets.com; 925-5858; 1-877-664-8661; The Pit’s ticket office; UNM bookstore
By Richard Stevens
Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
When Ian Clark first came to wear the Lobos colors, his glory visions were similar to his football days at Highland High.
He would stand behind the center. He would throw touchdowns and lead the University of New Mexico to dramatic victories. He would be a quarterback.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” said Clark a product of Albuquerque’s Highland High. “I figured I’d come in and run some as a quarterback. Maybe be a wide receiver. I just thought I’d be playing offense. I had no idea I’d be on defense.”
It’s probably a good thing that Rocky Long has the 6-foot, 210-pound junior on the defensive side of the ball playing the Lobo position. Clark led UNM in tackles in 2007 with 79.
And he hasn’t indicated he wants to give up that top spot in 2008. He led UNM in tackles against TCU with 11 and led UNM again this past Saturday against Texas A&M with seven. He has yet to miss a tackle this season. His team-leading total of 18 tackles is followed by Clint McPeek with 16 and Zach Arnett with 13.
“The lobo position is the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Clark of the hybrid position that incorporates linebacker and defensive back responsibilities. “I was a little bothered when I first moved to defense because I always loved offense. Now, I wouldn’t go back.”
Clark has been one of the bright spots on the 0-2 Lobos team so far in the young 2008 season. Beside placing his nose and helmet on the football, Clark has returned two punts for 66 yards. His 34-yard return against Texas A&M was the longest by a Lobo since Dwight Counter went 74 yards against Baylor in 2002.
Clark quietly has become one of the Lobos’ top defenders and there might be no debate, if you simply count the number of Lobo tackles so far in 2008 and in 2007.
“My mom has told me that a lot of people are talking to her and have noticed I’m doing pretty good,” said Clark. “I guess that’s nice, but it’s kind of funny because I was watching some of my old film (at Highland) and I don’t even know how I made All-State as a corner. I didn’t make many tackles and I only had one interception.”
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The Ian Clark File Position: Lobo High School: Highland High (Albuquerque) Quick Fact: Clark led UNM in tackles in 2007 with 79 |
Of course, during the 2004-05 season at Highland, not a lot of teams threw to Clark’s side of the field. In the lobo position, Clark is in the middle of the field and it seems everyone is coming in his direction.
“I love that,” said Clark. “I’ve never been known as a big hitter, but I don’t mind being physical.”
Being physical, might be easier for Clark in 2008 and also in 2009. When he came out of Highland, Clark was athletic, but had the lean look of a high school cornerback. He has added a lot of muscle weight as a Lobo and looks very much like a linebacker looking for someone to hit.
Clark was voted Most Improved Player in 2007 by his teammates. He squats 500 pounds and benches 305. His best game in 2007 came at TCU when he had nine solo and seven assists in his first career start. Clark followed that performance by having 11 second-half tackles against Colorado State a week later.
Long said the Lobos players have been fighting negative vibes from the community that come with an 0-2 start.
“They read, they hear, they investigate everything that is being said about who they play,” said Long. “They investigate everything that is being said about them. It takes a fairly old person to be able to take criticism and not let it effect your performance. You can only tell somebody they are lousy for so long and young people start believing maybe they are (lousy).
“Most of the people spouting off don’t know what they are talking about anyway. You try to tell them (players), but …”
Clark, being a local, is in a position to hear a lot of local feedback. He said the Lobos have to use it as motivation to get better.
“A lot of us get on the internet and we’re aware of what’s being said out there,” said Clark. “I guess it bothers some of us and others don’t pay that much attention. I don’t think I’ve been talked about (personally), but I think if I was, it would encourage me to work hard and get better.
“I know things are being said (about QB Donovan Porterie) and maybe he needs to hear it and maybe he doesn’t. I guess (Porterie) could take it personal or he could look at it like, ‘Hey, I’m a better player than that.” And he is better than he’s been playing. He knows that and we all expect him to play better this week and so does he.
“We all know that playing the way we played the last two weeks isn’t going to cut it and it isn’t going to cut it against a team like Arizona. If we come out with the same mentality, we’re not going to win. We have to do things better. All of us.”
Editor’s note: Richard Stevens is a former Associate Sports Editor and sports columnist for The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net. Previous articles are available at The Richard Stevens Corner