Lobo Football Opens Spring Practice Tuesday Morning
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Lobo football team will hit the practice fields officially on Tuesday morning at 8:40 am for the first of 15 spring practices, culminating in a Spring Game on Friday night, April 18 at 6:30 pm, with a free kids clinic from 5 – 5:45 pm prior to the Spring Game. It’s one of the many ways that Lobo Football is just a little bit different under Jason Eck, and it’s already been a hit.
We could say that fans would notice some differences right away in spring practice, but no fans were in attendance for spring practices last year, so that in and of itself is a change, one that already has Lobo fans excited. The only practice that was open last year was the Spring Game, and even that was tough for fans and media alike as no players had numbers. This year, all 90 on the current roster have digits on jerseys, which also has made for a more fan-friendly environment at Lobo Football. Those are all small changes, but for Eck who was hired in mid-December, he just wants to get the ball rolling.
“We ar efired up to get started,” said Eck in his opening moments of his pre-spring practice presser. “Been here for quite a few months but haven’t had a full practice yet so it’ll be good to get out there on the field.”
The roster features 35 newcomers to the program and 53 returnees. Of the 35 newcomers, there are 32 transfers and three high school players. Of those 32 transfers, 29 are Division I transfers (nine from FBS schools and 20 from FCS schools) and three JC transfers as well.
Certainly all eyes will be on the quarterbacks, with the three returners (Isaiah Chavez, Emery Floyd and James Laubstein) not throwing a pass during the season. Jack Layne was Idaho’s starter last year and Gabriel Motchenbacher played at L.A. Valley last year. The eyes also won’t roam far as UNM has four transfer running backs who led the previous teams in rushing last year.D.J. McKinney led Sam Houston State and was the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Scottre Humphrey led Montana State to the championship game and was an FCS All-American. Additionally DeShaun Buchanan led Idaho in rushing and Damon Bankston led Weber State.
Yet while that’s where the natural attention will go, Eck, a former offensive lineman, knows where his bread is buttered. “Your team a lot of times goes as your O-Line goes so we need to keep improving and getting along there.”
The Lobos will practice three times a week, taking next week off for UNM’s Spring Break, over the next six weeks before culminating in the Spring Game and a free Kids Clinic, and that Kids Clinic was important for Eck, along with having open practices. “The Kids Clinic will be for elementary school kids to junior high kid, and we will do that at five o’clock before the Spring Game. We want to try to provide some value to the community and make it a good night to come out and get coached up by our players and coaches and make it a fun night to watch the Lobos.” It’s all about connection for Eck, which is why he’s happy to have fans come out for practice.
“I just want connection. I want people to feel a part of it and I think the more access we give them to the program the more they feel a part of it. I want the whole community to feel a part of our team,” said Eck.
NOTE: There isn’t seating so fans are reminded to bring their own chairs if they are coming to watch. Fans must stay on the outsides of the practice fields far enough from the sidelines to be safe.
Practice Dates, Start times (all practice around 110 minutes)
Tuesday, March 11 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, March 13 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Friday, March 14 – 7:40 am – 9:30 am
Tuesday, March 25 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, March 27 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Saturday, March 29 – 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
Tuesday, April 1 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, April 3 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Saturday, April 5 – 2:15 pm – 4:05 pm
Tuesday, April 8 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, April 10 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Saturday, April 12 1 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
Tuesday, April 15 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, April 17 – 8:40 am – 10:30 am
Friday, April 17 – Spring Game 6:30 pm (Kid’s Clinic 5-5:45 pm)