New Mexico Lobos on the Mountain West Road
Who: New Mexico (2-4, 0-2 MW) at Air Force (4-2, 1-2)
When/Where: 1:30 p.m., Saturday – Falcon Stadium (46,692) – USAF Academy
On The Air: ROOT Sports (TV); 770-AM KKOB/Lobo Radio Network
GoLobos.com: Game Story, Complete Stats, Quotes,
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
Lobo Coach Bob Davie wants to see something return to his offense Saturday at Air Force – the triple option.
He also is hoping the triple option stumbles and struggles up in Colorado Springs: the option the Falcons run.
Probably the team that puts the most shine into that attack will win the battle of yardage and the battle for the scoreboard.
“A lot of similarities,” said Davie of the two Mountain West teams.
The three-pronged option the Lobos run out of their pistol offense – the one that terrorized the Mountain West for two years primarily with Cole Gautsche pulling the trigger – hasn’t exactly been shooting blanks.
But Davie is looking for a few more explosions and a lot more consistency in 2014. That’s a key to a win at Air Force. That’s a key to success the remainder of the season.
“It’s what we do. It’s who we are,” Davie says.
The Lobos didn’t do it so well a week ago in a 24-14 loss to San Diego State. UNM, a team that averages 294 yards per game (after SDSU) was held to 152 rushing yards by the Aztecs. Davie even voiced concern about his offense after UNM’s 21-9 win at UTSA.
The option hasn’t exactly shined whether the usually-consistent Gautsche is behind center or the more dynamic, quick-footed Lamar Jordan.
That needs to change.
“We haven’t really run the ball,” said Davie. “The second half against Fresno, we didn’t do much. (Against) UTSA we really didn’t do much running the ball, and the other night (vs. SDSU) we really didn’t do much, and that’s been the conversation all week.
“How do we do what we do regardless of the personnel? We just have to tweak things a little bit. We have to get our running game going. I don’t want to coach a team that can’t run the ball.”
It’s an interesting, complicated challenge for Davie and his offensive coordinator, Bob DeBesse. Do you go with the proven Gautsche, who has battled injury? Do you go with the dynamic and promising Jordan? Is the problem up front in blocking? Is the problem not having a marque running back?
Is it a little bit of everything? DeBesse buys into that theory. He refuses to point a finger at any one element, but instead waves a hand over an entire unit. Simply put: the attack has been hurt by execution which creates the inconsistency.
It probably needs to end Saturday, if the Lobos are to pull a minor upset at Air Force.
“They run the ball exceptionally well,” said Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun.
Despite some inconsistency, New Mexico leads the MW in rushing offense at 294 yards per game. Air Force is next at 274.2 yards per game.
On paper, the Falcons appear to have an edge on defense allowing 109.5 yards per game rushing. That’s pretty good – tied for the No. 16 spot in the NCAA national rankings. The UNM defense gives up 286.8 yards rushing per game. That’s a big gap.
“Defensively, statistically, they are much better; much better than they were a year ago,” said Davie.
Of course, you usually need to find perspective in evaluating numbers. Air Force opponents don’t always test the Falcons’ defense against the run because Air Force gives up an average yield of 286.5 yards passing. Utah State threw for 298 yards last week in beating Air Force 34-16.
The Lobos don’t pass much, so the Falcons should see plenty of option football. It will be a mano vs. mano challenge from both teams. Here comes our option. Can you stop it?
One thing the Falcons have done well is exactly what you expect from a military academy: They protect their home turf. Air Force is 3-0 this season at Falcon Stadium, has never trailed at home this season and has impressive home wins over Boise State and Navy.
“Going up there and playing, it’s a pretty neat atmosphere and one I think our kids will be prepared for and one I know our coaches are excited about,” said Davie.
The Falcons were the first Mountain Division team to beat Boise State since the Broncos joined the league. Air Force held Boise State to 97 yards rushing which is the third time this season the Falcons have held a team under 100 yards rushing. Navy, a running team, had 251 yards rushing at Air Force but only 63 in the second half.
Air Force is 11-3 at home vs. UNM and the Lobos have not won at Air Force since 2000. The Falcons average 34 points at home and allow 17. They have won six straight home games.
Davie said the key to winning at Air Force is fundamental football: blocking, tackling and not making mental or physical mistakes.
DeBesse had a few keys, too: “We have to do better. We have to execute.”
Editor’s Note: Richard Stevens is a former national award-winning Sports Columnist and Associate Sports Editor at The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net.