As the football season enters its final stretch, players are feeling the excitement of postseason pursuit. They are also, however, feeling the aches and pains that come with a long and physical season.
"Guys are definitely more banged up this time of year," head coach Rocky Long said. "It gets noticeable as the season wears on."
Long said practices have gotten shorter with less hitting than earlier in the season.
"Some guys are so beat up you can't play them like you usually would," he said.
Wide receiver Hank Baskett presents a specific case. The Lobos' top receiver took a tough hit to his knee against San Diego State while blocking on a sweep play. Already hurting in his ankle, Baskett said he's been feeling the pain ever since.
"You could tell I was dragging my leg against Colorado State," he said.
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Like a lot of players, Basket said he knows he won't heal completely until the season is over.
"I won't be 100 percent again this season," he said. "But you still have to play with all you can."
And while a possible bowl trip is pushing this team toward the finish, Long said no player needs that as his sole motivation.
"Even if we were losing, we would still have inside motivation to want to win every game," he said. "It's the outer motivation we get from making a bowl game that helps, but we still want to win every game no matter what."
Long said no matter how bruised the Lobos might be, he knows every opponent they face is in the same situation.
"Everybody's banged-up, so it's not like we feel sorry for ourselves or have any kind of excuse," he said.
Tali Ena out
Backup quarterback Ena is out of action for the remainder of the season after an altercation Downtown in which he sustained injuries to his abdomen. A police investigation is pending.
Long said Tuesday that Ena's puncture wound required stitches that will have to stay in for seven to 10 days.
Long said he's waiting to find out what really happened before determining what disciplinary action to take.
"We'll know after a police investigation," he said. "All I know is what he told me, and from his side, he was the victim."
Fred Tucker waits
Starting guard Tucker missed a flight back from Houston during the team's bye week and was unable to practice Sunday. Long said he doesn't know yet what disciplinary action will be taken against Tucker.
Brandon Payne up for top award
Lobo cornerback Payne was selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the best defensive back in college football. Payne leads the country in passes defended with 22, and breakups with 15. His five interceptions tie him for fifth overall.
Former Lobo Brian Urlacher was one of the top three finalists for the award in 1999.
Payne is the only player from a non-BCS school to make the list of semifinalists.
