With the early departure of DonTrell Moore in the Emerald Bowl, the Lobos' game plan changed. The new strategy called for a heavy dose of quarterback Kole McKamey.
Although Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco stole all the glory by running for three touchdowns and throwing for another, McKamey put up some remarkable numbers. He became the 12th Lobo to rush for 100 yards and pass for 100 yards in the same game. He finished with 138 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and was 15-for-24 passing for 207 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
He was not, however, impressed with his play.
"A quarterback is judged on whether they win or lose," he said. "I don't look at how I did. I look at it as a team thing. We didn't get the win, so I'm not satisfied."
Using slick and elusive moves, McKamey got most of his rushing yards off of broken plays that should have gone for losses. He was flushed out of the pocket or he would barely escape a sack by a Navy defender.
Head coach Rocky Long said he has always known his signal caller could run.
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"I've been telling you guys all year he is fast," Long said after the Lobos' win over Wyoming in the last game of the season.
Long did not have much to say after the Emerald Bowl loss, but he did want to make sure everyone knew his quarterback played well.
"He played good today, like he has all year," he said.
On the first drive of the game, McKamey led the Lobos down the field like a veteran, capping off the drive with a hard-thrown, 17-yard touchdown pass.
McKamey has looked like he did on that first drive at times this season. In the game against Texas Tech, his second as full-time starter, he led the team to a 27-24 win.
Then there were games like his first start against Washington State when he made poor decisions and either threw an incompletion or an interception. An interception toward the end of that game led to the Cougars' final touchdown, and the Lobos lost 21-17.
McKamey said he learned from this year and is ready to move on.
"I'm really excited about next year," he said. "I'm going take some time off and rest, but I'll be back."
McKamey finished the year passing 88-for-186 for 1065 yards with 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He rushed for 279 yards and 5 touchdowns.
