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Lobo Football Fall Camp 1 Roundup

by Frank Mercogliano

Fall practice #1

The Lobos practiced in two sessions, with freshmen going at 11 am for 12 periods and the veteran and transfers going at 7:30 for 18.  The freshman practice was designed to teach some of the basic how-tos and used as more of a teaching practice.  The interesting thing about it is despite it being for just the freshmen, every veteran player came out to watch, observe, and in some ways, do a little sideline coaching.  Corey Hightower stood on the sidelines helping freshmen Michael Garcia and Andrell Barney in one such instance.

In the veteran’s practice, all media eyes were on the quarterbacks, and Trey Wilson, Isaiah Chavez and Trae Hall (listed numerically) took the bulk of the reps. All showed strong arms, despite dealing with 20-25 MPH winds throughout most of the practice. The wind made the punting periods interesting, with both Jared Long and Aaron Rodriguez battling the nasty crosswind.  All three placekickers, George Steinkamp, Andrew Shelley and Cameron Newell were perfect on the day, as were holders Long, Rodriguez and Chavez.  Coach Gonzales stated afterwards that the team will alternate between the 7:30 and 3:30 timeslots in fall camp in order to practice in the heat and then be able to go and practice when the sun is down and its a little cooler, and to just change things up a little.

Notes: Keyonta Lanier had a toe-tapping sideline catch from Bear Milacek, and C.J. Montes showed a strong arm as well throughout the rookie practice … there were no specialists periods and most all of the periods featured positional settings and individual position coaching … Terry Wilson officially has settled on a number, going with 2. He originally was going to be 5 or 7 … Chavez switched from 13 to 6 officially as well.

Practice 1 Media Coverage (updated throughout Thursday morning)

Albuquerque Journal – Steve Virgen – Tuioti turns chapter with Lobo Football

KRQE – Van Tate – Lobo Football fall camp begins

KOB – Brandon Ortega – Coach Gonzales and son bring “Fear the Fangs” to Lobo Football

KOAT – Ron Burke/Bethany Miller – Lobo Football Readies for season