Aug 19, 2013
Lobo Football Photo Gallery: Close ups
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By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
The light in Cole Gautsche’s eyes has changed.
A year ago, a season back, the preseason light was a little like what is reflected in a deer’s stare as a headlight is barreling down on it from out of the night. There was some concern, some questions – and maybe a few freshman jitters.
Oh, Cole Gautsche had a spectacular year in 2012. He ran for 798 yards at seven yards per carry and made decisions and reads with the football that defied his youth as a first-year Lobo. But it is also fair to say that Gautsche’s success in 2012 came from humble Lobo beginnings.
He was very much a freshman a year ago at this point in the University of New Mexico’s season. He isn’t looking anything like that wide-eyed freshman in UNM’s drills this fall. Really, he is more senior than sophomore.
“All of a sudden, you can see a light going on with Cole over some aspect of the offense,” said Bob DeBesse, UNM’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach. “You tend to take that recognition for granted because Cole has so many snaps under his belt. But he’s still a sophomore and he is still learning.
“But Cole has so much more poise, more maturity, more control of the huddle, stronger leadership qualities. The whole deal.”
That whole deal has made Gautsche the Lobos No. 1 quarterback heading down the back stretch of fall drills. The Lobos open their season at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31 on Branch Field vs. the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Gautsche will be backed up by transfer Clayton Mitchem, who came to UNM billed as a dual threat on the ground or through the air and has lived up to that billing in the preseason.
“Cole and Clayton have pretty much separated themselves and Cole right now has established himself as the starter, but Clayton will play,” said DeBesse.
“Clayton is pretty good. He continues to show his skills in competitive situations. He’s smooth and his mechanics have gotten better as he gains understanding of our offense. But he is 30 practices in and the key to his improvement is getting more reps.”
Gautsche ran the ball 109 times for UNM in 2012 and threw 31 passes in 11 games. He shared the pocket with ex-Lobo B.R. Holbrook, who ran 53 times and threw 112 passes. The duo split time for a variety of reasons including injury, but when it was necessary to veer away from UNM’s powerful option, it was Holbrook who did most of the passing.
Gautsche has to prove in 2013 that when the Lobos need to pass the ball DeBesse doesn’t have to look for Mitchem, who threw for 2,435 yards and 27 touchdowns at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Gautsche’s passing form obviously has improved. He has shortened his release and no longer is wrapping the football around his head prior to launch. He is hitting his targets long and short.
He also gains from “being there and doing that.” There is less pressure on Gautsche in 2013 because of the trails, tribulations and success of 2012.
“I can go out and just concentrate on playing and not be thinking all the time about what coach told me or if I messed up here or messed up there,” said Gautsche, a product of Cleveland High in Rio Rancho. “We are all athletes and its easier when we can go out there and react athletically and not have what the coaches are telling you in the front of your mind.
“I’m more calm, more relaxed, and that comes with confidence. It helps having a season behind me. Last year everything was thrown at you fast. It’s hard for the freshmen because the first few weeks are install, install, install – new stuff. It’s so much easier the second time around.”
For Mitchem, it’s the first time around. He has no carries as a Lobo. The JC transfer has yet to toss the ball at this level. But like DeBesse said: Mitchem is good.
Sophomore Cole Gautsche
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“It’s different from my junior college playbook, but I’m getting more comfortable with it every day,” Mitchem said of UNM’s “Pistol” attack, which leans heavily on a quarterback reading and reacting to defensive looks.
“I’m getting used to seeing the checks at the line of scrimmage from all the defensive schemes they are throwing at me. You have to really study your playbook and be a student of the game with this offense. I feel I’ve learned enough where I have slowed the game down for me.”
Gautsche is UNM’s main trigger on the “pistol,” but Mitchem should see action early because of the need to develop a backup. A quarterback in the “pistol” also takes a beating. DeBesse said David Vega, a transfer from New Mexico Military Institute, has a slight lead over Quinton McCown for the No. 3 spot. Vega didn’t play last year and McCown saw limited action in six games in 2012. The Lobos have two talented freshmen quarterbacks in Lamar Jordan and Caleb Kimbro, whom might be looking at redshirt seasons.
Gautsche said he is looking forward to a starting role at UNM.
“I had always started in high school and I had to get used to coming off the bench,” he said. “It was a new role to come in (as a sub) and have to get prepared on the sidelines.
“I had to come in with the same intensity, the same mind-set as the guys out there. It might have been the offensive line’s 20th play when I went in, but it was my first play.”
Gautsche obviously has stepped up his game because of his playing time of 2012. A year ago he also pushed himself trying to get that game time. In 2013, there will be a talented junior doing the same thing.
“It’s not up to me, but who wouldn’t want to have the starting position,” said Mitchem. “I still have a few things to learn and I need to get faster. This is D-I football, the Mountain West, and there is a difference from junior college ball. I haven’t been hit yet. I’m kind of looking forward to that, but they have to catch me first.”