by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
UNM football head coach Rocky Long might be having nightmares about the University of Nevada-Las Vegas' spread offense before Monday's game against the Runnin' Rebels.
The Lobos - who are ranked second in the Mountain West Conference in the preseason - will open the season and the home opener against the spread offense that UNLV possesses.
"It's going to put a lot of pressure on our entire team," Long said. "That offense was very successful at Utah last year, and no one has really slowed it down or stopped it to the point."
The spread offense puts receivers out wide and provides a variety of match-up problems for defenses. Long said the safety position, which lost all-MWC selection Josh Bazinet, will be tested.
"We'll have to play very well. Our safeties are very inexperienced, so they're going to have to play a solid and error-free game," Long said.
Cornerback Gabriel Fulbright - who was a second-team all-MWC honoree last season - said he knows it will be no easy task, but is confident the Lobo defense can get the job done.
"I think we're pretty much used to it, our offense runs the spread offense," he said. "We are pretty comfortable with it, it's going to be hard, but I think we're ready."
Fulbright said if the front seven can get pressure on UNLV quarterback Shane Steichen, the Lobos can generate some interceptions, which he said would help the team a lot.
"Turnovers would be big, especially with our linebackers and our D-line," he said. "They're not going to have much time to sit back and see who they're going to throw to."
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Long said if UNM can come out and force turnovers and not lose the ball on offense, it would go a long way to helping the Lobos win the game.
"The more turnovers you get, the more momentum is on your side," he said. "The team that gets the most turnovers has the best chance of winning."
While the Lobos have a lot of pressure to play well defensively, the first game will also be a test to see how the offense will do this season. One of the biggest factors will be star tailback DonTrell Moore's performance.
Moore received first-team all-MWC honors for the third time last season, and rushed for 1,091 yards despite missing three games due to injury. He also was injured in the Emerald Bowl, and said he is just happy to be starting a new season.
"I'm very excited, it's been awhile since we've played," Moore said.
The senior tailback also said he expects to be healthy come game day.
"I'm feeling pretty good," he said.
Long said the way Moore plays will be important for the success of the offense.
"DonTrell's a good player. If he feels good on game day, then he's going to get the ball a lot and if he has a good game we have a better chance to win," Long said.
As far as opening the season against UNLV at home, Long said he would prefer to play out of the MWC, but is prepared for the challenge.
"I love home games, but I wish we had a couple of non-conference games before conference games," he said.
Fullbright said having such an important game so early in the season will have the team even more energized.
"I'm very excited," he said. "It's the first time we've ever had a conference game first. That's going to get us pumped up."
