New Mexico Lobos Spring Football – March 18 to April 17
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
Spring football isn’t always that alluring for the obvious reason. The games come in the fall.
But if you want to bring some attention and excitement to spring drills, the best way to do it is to create questions about the quarterback position.
Lobo Coach Bob Davie admits there is a question or two concerning the eventual leader of New Mexico’s Pistol offense that leans heavily to the run game.
“It’s kind of exciting to think about who will be our starting quarterback for that first series,” said Davie. “When we walk out there and play Mississippi Valley State on September fifth, who is that quarterback going to be?
“Is it Lamar Jordan because we’ve seen Lamar Jordan and what Lamar Jordan has done under pressure and that he knows our offense so well? Or is one of those talented guys going to be able to step up and unseat him?”
Jordan, a 5-foot-10 redshirt sophomore, commanded the Lobo huddle most of the 2014 season and is a solid combination of pass and run. That’s what you want running the Pistol offense. But Davie is looking to make the passing part of the Pistol more efficient.
Davie and Bob DeBesse, UNM’s offensive coordinator, have a fistful of talent to look at during spring drills, but the obvious target of attention from media and Lobo fans will center on Austin Apodaca, a talented transfer with a background of aerial success.
“We have watched him forever and recruited him out of high school,” said Davie. “He’s pretty 
impressive. It’s excited as I’ve been with the quarterback position since I’ve been here.”
Jordan has the stats and the experience with UNM’s pistol. He ran for 612 yards and threw for 895 yards averaging 81.4 yards per game.
Apodaca has the potential to bring the snap to the passing game that the Lobos have lacked since moving to that potentially diverse package of attack. He threw for 2,534 yards at Mesa Community College. He transferred to Mesa from Washington State where he was not happy with his playing time. Apodaca threw for 3,849 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
“He (Apodaca) is really athletic,” said Davie. “He is plenty athletic enough (to run the Pistol). He has the skill set to do exactly what we want to do.
“I do hope that we throw the ball more efficiently. That has to be the next step for us and that doesn’t mean we have to throw it 30 times a game.”
The 6-foot-3 Apodaca comes to New Mexico to throw the ball and to play. Jordan is here for the same reason.
“Lamar Jordan is a competitive, competitive kid,” said Davie. “I’m interested to see how he responds coming off a year with experience and looking at competition at the position.
“I’m anxious to see how this plays out. (Jordan) is a competitive guy who won’t back down. I’m really anxious to see him take the next step.”
Jordan – and Apodaca – also will be chased in the pocket by Caleb Kimbro, Patrick Reed and Jajuan Lawson. Former quarterback Cole Gautsche is expected to redshirt the 2015 season and move to tight end in 2016.
The Lobos open practice Wednesday (March 18) morning. The spring session will consist of 15 practices over a five-week period and the sessions will be open to the public and the media. The sessions will begin at 9 a.m., on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Davie also said the Lobo defense in 2015 will feature five defensive backs and emphasize man-to-man coverage behind a three-man front. “It will be a five defensive back scheme as a base,” said Davie. “We have some (talented) guys and that’s why we’re doing it.”
Davie also wants his defense to simply get off the field more – by making plays, by making tackles, by not making mistakes.
“On defense, it’s totally understanding who we are and what we do and to be able to play with fewer mistakes,” said Davie.
The Lobo spring roster breakdown features 44 players on offense, 39 on defense, and four special team players for a total of 87. Forty-nine of those players are returning lettermen from the 2014 season. Davie said 12 players will see no action or limited action this spring because of injury or surgery.
The Lobos’ final practice on Friday, April 17 is scheduled for University Stadium in the evening.
“It’s not quite as dramatic as it was years ago going from nothing into spring football,” said Davie. “Now, it’s kind of the next step.”
2015 Spring Schedule – 9 a.m. starts – subject to change
Practice 1: Wednesday, March 18th
Practice 2: Friday, March 20th
Practice 3: Monday, March 23rd
Practice 4: Wednesday, March 25th
Practice 5: Friday, March 27th
Practice 6: Monday, March 30th
Practice 7: Wednesday, April 1st
Practice 8: Friday, April 3rd
Practice 9: Monday, April 6th
Practice 10: Wednesday, April 8th
Practice 11: Friday, April 10th
Practice 12: Monday, April 13th
Practice 13: Wednesday, April 15th
Practice 14: Friday, April 17th