by Phil Parker
Daily Lobo
The Lobos will look to end a two-game losing streak this weekend when they head to Washington State for a non-conference game against the 24th-ranked Cougars.
UNM will also try to avoid starting 1-3 for the fourth time in the last five years.
UNM will face a strong opponent in Washington State. The Cougars lost the Rose Bowl to end last year's season. Last week WSU beat 17th-ranked Colorado in a game in which the Cougars led 47-13 at one point.
Lobo head coach Rocky Long said at the team's media luncheon this week that his defense will be ready for a balanced attack.
"So far this year they have run it 114 times and passed it 114 times, which is about as 50-50 as I have ever seen it," Long said. "I think they just do a good job of getting the people the ball that can do something with it. They have great skilled athletes."
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Long said that the Cougar's running attack could present the biggest challenge.
"They have a running back that is averaging seven yards a carry and the other running back is averaging over 100 yards a game," he said.
But it will be up to the UNM offense to improve quickly for the Lobos to have the best chance to win. They've been shut out in the first half of each of the last two games against Texas Tech and BYU. This weekend they'll be looking to be more consistent.
"We need to let things come to us, not try and force things," receiver Adrian Boyd said. "I think it will be a total complete offensive effort this weekend against Washington State."
Guard Claude Terrell said the Lobos need to concentrate on getting off to a good start.
"For the past two games we've been in trouble in the first half," Terrell said. "Hopefully we can come out and play a full 60 minutes together and then there is no telling what we can do."
Coach Long said that Washington State, a perennial power in college football, is the best team the Lobos have faced this season. Putting together two good halves will be crucial.
The Lobos also must rebound from another significant injury to a key player. Against BYU last weekend they lost senior tackle Jason Lenzmeier, who tore his left medial collateral ligament.
That injury came a week after losing a top defensive starter, senior linebacker Fola Fashola, to a torn anterior cruciate ligament that ended his season.
Long also said that rushers D.D. Cox and DonTrell Moore should be 100 percent for this weekend's game. Last week they were both hobbled with minor ankle injuries.
Kickoff is at 3:05 p.m. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque will show the delayed game broadcast at 5:30 p.m.
