by Daniel S. Archuleta
Daily Lobo
Two unbeaten teams will face off Saturday night when the Lobos travel to face the University of Texas-El Paso.
The Lobos are 3-0 for the first time since 1997, while the Miners are 2-0.
UNM's offense is averaging 35.7 points per game and 430 yards per game through the first three games.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Quarterback Kole McKamey is a big reason why the Lobos are off to such a great start. McKamey is averaging 215 passing yards per game and has thrown for seven touchdowns this year.
McKamey is also a threat to run the ball as well. He is averaging 77 yards rushing per game with two touchdowns.
Finding a weakness in UTEP's defense will be crucial to McKamey's ability to move the ball down the field.
"They run a lot of zone," he said. "It's really hard to stop the run when you run zone. It also makes some good matchups for our wide receivers."
McKamey is coming off one of the best games of his career. He threw for 172 yards and rushed for 152 yards including a 71-yard touchdown run.
He said this weekend he's going to try and top it.
"We don't worry about stats. We just go out there and execute and score. The stats will take care of themselves," he said.
Head coach Rocky Long has always preached defense first with his team, and this year is no different. In each of the Lobos' first three games the defense has come up big with an interception or a well-timed sack.
On the end of most of those big stops is linebacker Quincy Black. He leads the team in tackles with 22, and has 1.5 sacks for a total loss of 16 yards.
Black and the Lobo defense will have the task of stopping UTEP's one-two punch of quarterback Jordan Palmer - younger brother of the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer - and running back Tyler Ebell.
"It's going to take discipline on our side of the ball," Black said. "It's going to take everyone playing pretty tough to shut them down."
Palmer has thrown for 566 yards with six touchdowns, while Edell has rushed for 212 yards with one touchdown.
Black said the Lobos' defense is so good because it keeps opponents on their toes.
"We are a wild card, and there is no telling what we are going to do," he said. "You never know what to expect from us."
Long pointed out the keys to stopping the UTEP offense.
"We have to match up with their skill players. At wide receiver and running back, they have great quickness. If we can hang with them in coverage, then we'll be all right," he said.
Long said fans should be in for a game that goes to the wire.
"I think both teams are playing really well right now," he said. "I think the talent levels on both teams are pretty equal. It ought to be a great game that's probably going to be really close and down to the end," he said.
