Aug. 11, 2013
Training Camp Central
Lobo Football Season-Ticket Information
RUIDOSO – Entering the 2013 fall practice season, second-year University of New Mexico football coach Bob Davie said he felt the Lobo offense was poised to build off a promising first year while his defense was really just starting its first year with his 3-4 scheme.
The Lobos’ first scrimmage of fall camp at the Ruidoso Middle School football field revealed the offense’s edge.
Running back Crusoe Gongbay broke through the line for a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play, setting up a session of big plays for the offense. The Lobo defense finally showed some signs of life during the waning moments of the session in a two-minute simulation.
Even then, the offense had the last laugh when quarterback Clayton Mitchem hit wide receiver Chase Clayton on a 50-yard touchdown strike to close out the scrimmage.
“That’s the great thing about a scrimmage; you get to see where you are,” Davie said. “I think the offense really stepped up and made some plays. They translated what we’ve been doing in practice and even took it a step further tonight.”
Clayton also caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Mitchem during the night on the artificial turf. Quarterback Cole Gautsche threw two touchdown passes. UNM has been busy working on its passing attack, trying to become more balanced this season.
Davie also lauded the play of true freshman running back Teriyon Gipson, who made some nice open-field runs.
Cornerbacks Cranston Jones and Jadon Boatright provided the highlights for the defense. Jones, a sophomore, intercepted a pair of passes, and Boatright, a true freshman, made two pass breakups during one two-minute possession, tipping the second pass into Jones’ hands.
The defense made three stops during the two-minute exercise before Clayton got behind the defense on the fourth.
“Just like the offense stepped it up notch, I think the defense took a step back,” Davie said. “The disappointing thing was that some of the mistakes made were by veteran players. So we have some work to do.”
Senior kicker Justus Adams converted all four of his field-goal attempts, the longest from 42 yards.
Davie held out a few of his veteran players, and a few others were held to 12 plays or fewer. Senior linebacker Dallas Bollema did not play, and senior running back Kasey Carrier took only a couple of snaps and was used largely as a decoy.
Gautsche faked a handoff to Carrier on one play and hit sophomore tight end Reece White down the middle for a 50-yard TD.
“Some guys, we’ve seen a lot, so there was no need to give them a lot of reps,” Davie said.
The coach added he was pleased with the team’s work during the first half of their time here.
“I like our effort and attitude,” Davie said. “And I’ve said this before, but this is the best college training camp facility in the country. It rivals some NFL camps. That has really helped us.”