by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
The success of the UNM offense relies heavily on the shoulders of one man - quarterback Donovan Porterie.
In Saturday's season opener against UTEP, the Lobo offense was less than spectacular. Despite Porterie finishing with respectable numbers - 25-of-39 passing for 190 yards - UNM failed to score a
touchdown.
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Porterie said the offense sputtered in the red zone against the Miners.
"We just weren't clicking," Porterie said. "We would get it down there to about the 20-yard line and then stall. We just couldn't connect."
Head coach Rocky Long said it was a matter of the offense not performing.
"I didn't think Donovan played well," he said. "Sure, UTEP played a good defense, but I didn't think we executed our plays up to our potential. I know we have a better offense than what we showed."
Porterie himself has shown flashes of playing much better, too. Last season, he wasn't expected to do much, being a red shirt freshman and starting the year at No. 3 on the depth chart.
But when injuries took Kole McKamey and Chris Nelson out of the picture, Porterie was thrust into the starting role. In his first three starts, he was outstanding.
He led the Lobos to three straight come-from-behind victories in his first three starts and had a 350-yard, three-touchdown game against Utah.
Still, Long said the fact that Porterie has a limited number of starts means the quarterback will have to mature fast this season.
"Donovan is still a young quarterback," Long said. "We expected to play better than that, but it was the first time out this year, first live action he's had. We expect him to be a lot better this weekend against NMSU."
And even though expectations are high for Porterie - from fans, teammates and coaches - Long said he sometimes has to step back and be patient with the young quarterback.
"It's a learning process that is sometimes frustrating, but other times very rewarding," he said. "We realize what a positive contribution Donovan is making. And eventually, I think he is going to be as good of a quarterback as any that have played for us."
Donovan Porterie in 2006:
Played in eight games; started five. 3-2 record as a starter and completed with 71-of-133 attempts with two interceptions for 967 passing yards - an average of 120.9 per game.
Porterie against UTEP on Sept. 1:
25-of-39 for 190 yards passing.
