by David J. Chavez
Daily Lobo
Junior Travis Brown is the Lobos' top returning receiver and is taking on the leader role with his three years of experience.
As a junior, he's taking on the role for most seniors because of how young the receiving corps is.
"I've got to take the leadership role," he said. "I try to take control of the group without authority. Some of the younger guys look up to me and ask me questions, and that's the way I see leadership."
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Brown said he has a different take on how leaders should conduct themselves on and off the field.
"You don't have to go out there and yell and get on guys, but if they come to you and ask, 'What would you have done?' I tell them what to do, and we keep moving and perform as a group," he said
Brown is a junior on a receiving squad that is finding its identity after losing ex-Lobo and Philadelphia Eagle Hank Baskett.
In Saturday's win against NMSU, Brown contributed with three catches for 40 yards.
Brown said he played well but not up to his standards.
"I think I did pretty good," he said. "I would have definitely liked to do some things a lot better. I could have got a few more yards and made some of the catches that I didn't make, but I'm looking forward to coming in and working hard next week."
Brown quickly became a critical part of the Lobos' offense as a true freshman in 2004. He performed at a high level in the spread offense opposite of Baskett.
As a sophomore, he was the Lobos' second-leading receiver with many of his catches coming from inside shovel passes. Brown had a career-high 35 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
Those numbers were the highest by a UNM sophomore receiver since 2001.
In the offseason, he hit the gym and added 10 pounds to his 6-foot-3-inch, 189-pound frame and learned a new offensive system.
Brown said he picked up the new offense quickly and has grown fond of it since the season started.
"I love the new offense, because it's high-powered," he said. "The best thing about our new offense is the fact that we throw the ball a lot more and go vertical. When you have two receivers that are a threat on the outside, it opens up the run game, so it all comes together."
Brown said he's willing to do anything for the Lobos to be successful this season.
"To win, it's a team effort, and I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team," he said. "If coach calls a play for me, I'm going to go and snatch the ball."
