The 2003 Lobo football team is potentially the best in the history of UNM.
Head coach Rocky Long said he hasn't coached a team of this potential since his last season with the UCLA Bruins in 1997.
"The last year I was at UCLA we ended up third in the country," Long said. "I'd say this team is probably the same kind of caliber. I think the UCLA team might have had a little more talent, but I think this team has a little more heart."
A little more heart, and perhaps a little more depth, as UNM is returning 25 lettermen and 10 starters from last season.
The Lobos have consistently improved every year under the direction of Long, and have worked their way up to No. 2 in the Mountain West Conference preseason rankings, trailing only Colorado State.
UNM was recently recognized by USA Today as the up-and-coming team in the Mountain West, and is predicted to earn a spot at the Liberty Bowl, a game reserved for the MWC champions.
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Senior Casey Kelly will run the offense for the third season as starting quarterback.
In past years, the Lobos were best known for their defensive expertise, however the offensive team may be turning heads this fall as well.
In addition to Kelly, is 2002 Freshman of the Year Dontrell Moore. Moore will return to his starting position at tailback. He completed last year third in freshman rushing in the NCAA.
Running in front of Moore will be junior fullback Landrick Brody.
"Our offensive line was the most consistent part of our team last year," Long said. "And we expect them to be this year."
Kelly and the backfield will be protected by four of last season's five offensive linemen including Justin Colburn, Calvin McDonald, Claude Terrell and Jason Lenzmeier. Ryan Cook, who filled in at left guard last season, will start at center.
Dwight Counter and Bryan Penley will play at wide receiver and tight end, respectively.
On the flip side, the defensive line consists of three seniors Daniel Kegler, D.J. Renteria and Zach Rupp, while Billy Strother, Daniel Gawronski and Nick Speegle will handle linebacker duties.
Although experience returns to the safety positions in Sidney Wiley, Terrell Golden and Josh Bazinet, the success of the defensive backfield rests in the hands of young players. Gabriel Fulbright and Jerrell Malone will likely start at cornerback, a position that arguably has the toughest job on the field.
"There's several spots that are our strength, but the best question is our weakness," Long said. "We've got inexperience at corner, and our kickers have to play better than they did last year."
Wes Zunker, who has finally overcome a number of injuries, will resume his position as starting kicker. In a preseason scrimmage, Zunker connected on a 52-yard field goal. Sophomore Tyler Gaus will return as punter and senior Albuquerque native, Martin Lovato as deep snapper.
The great depth and experience the Lobos return with this year brings perhaps the team's greatest strength - team chemistry. There are 23 seniors on this season's roster, and many of them have played together since the beginning of their college football careers.
"We've been playing together for four years now, going on five," Kelly said, namely of Renteria, Golden and Lenzmeier. "We all know what each other can do, what our expectations are of one another."
Kelly said the players have a great friendship that adds to the team's unity.
"We're all really comfortable playing with one another," he said.
With the large number of veterans, highly touted recruits, and key players returning from the injured list, there naturally comes incredible competition within the team.
"The competition is good because it makes everybody better," Long said. "Everybody wants to be the starter."
However, Long and Kelly agree that there has been no trace of negative competitiveness, only constructive.
"We know that the coaches are going to play the best player," Kelly said. "We don't let it get personal."
