Mission somewhat accomplished.
The UNM football team ended its spring practice sessions on Saturday with the annual Cherry-Silver scrimmage.
The Cherry squad took care of business, downing Silver, 21-7, in a low-scoring, defensive affair at University Stadium.
Head coach Mike Locksley hadn’t viewed the scrimmage tape yet, but he said it was a good culmination of spring ball.
“I thought that, for the most part, we got a lot of things we wanted to get accomplished this spring,” he said. “We are coming out of it, for the most part, completely healthy. I thought, all in all, it was a productive spring as a unit or a team. We are looking forward now, and all of our energy is geared toward preparing for Oregon,” the team the Lobos will face in their season-opener on Sept. 4.
When spring practice commenced, Locksley and his coaching staff put an emphasis on stopping the run and producing a dynamic running game.
Although neither tailback tandem from either squad produced more than 100 yards rushing, sophomore Demond Dennis dashed for 66 yards on 18 carries.
Primarily, that’s because they were hounded all afternoon by a relentless front five.
Defensive end Jaymar Latchison, who was a member of the Silver defensive squad, said the defense had a productive day attacking the quarterback, batting down passes and getting after the ball carrier.
“We kind of just made sure to meet the standard for ourselves,” Latchison said. “Coach (Rubin) Carter says that we have to be hungry every day, and, if we’re not producing, then we are kind of just killing grass.”
Speaking of production, one quarterback and wide receiver stole the show Saturday.
Quarterback B.R. Holbrook and wide receiver Chris Hernandez propelled Cherry to a 14-point victory.
Holbrook, who is vying to be the starting quarterback, threw for 256 yards, three touchdowns.
Coming off a topsy-turvy 2009 season, in which he battled mononucleosis, Holbrook said his confidence has soared now that he’s been in Locksley’s system for a year.
“It definitely helps when you are taking a lot of reps at practice, and I think that’s huge for me,” Holbrook said. “I think, overall, though, we did a lot more good things than we did bad things, and I am excited where we are at right now.”
If Holbrook is ecstatic where he is at, he should be pumped about his wide receiving corps, especially Hernandez. Hernandez caught five passes for 77 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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Hernandez said Locksley is looking for him to be a playmaker this season.
“I was just fortunate enough to make a play,” Hernandez said about one of his touchdown catches. “I had one chance to make a play and I did drop a touchdown, so that kind of fueled me to make sure to make plays when the ball came to me.”
Hernandez redeemed himself when he and Holbrook hooked up for a touchdown in a jump-ball situation in the back of the end zone. Hernandez shielded the defensive back with his body, while leaping to catch the ball at its highest point.
Holbrook also connected with Ty Kirk (four catches, 60 yards) and Ohio State transfer, Lamaar Thomas (four catches, 41 yards and one touchdown).
Holbrook said having good wide receivers makes his job easier.
“Our receivers tore it up,” Holbrook said. “All I did was just put the ball out there and let them make plays. You know, they were the real heroes today.”
