The Cherry-Silver game on Saturday will resemble a scene out of a Marvel comic book.
That’s because the UNM football team has “Flash” and the Scarlett Speedster.
Together with receptions leader Ty Kirk, transfers Lamaar “Flash” Thomas and Deon Long, and Michael Scarlett, the Lobos have one of the most exciting, if unproven, receiving corps in the Mountain West Conference. And
it’ll be an integral part of third year head coach Mike Locksley’s spread offense.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they do under the lights,” Locksley said.
Kirk led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season.
Scarlett has had an up-and-down UNM career. He was ruled inactive in 2009 and missed time early in 2010 because of a knee injury. Thomas and Long, meanwhile, sat out last year because of NCAA transfer rules, but are itching to bring depth to the wide receiver position.
If ever there was a year for the Lobos’ wide receivers to have a breakout season, Scarlett said, this is the year. He said the Lobos have the star power and can spread the ball across the field.
“The new transfers, Deon and ‘Flash,’ those guys are good athletes, and they bring another element to the table,” he said.
If there’s been an element of surprise so far this spring, it has
been Demarcus Rogers, the wide receiver turned running back who tore his ACL and missed last season.
Rogers had a strong showing in the first spring scrimmage, rushing for 105 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He has amassed 170 yards rushing and six touchdowns in two scrimmages.
Rogers will share carries with returning starters James Wright and Kasey Carrier, and Locksley said the run game has been the Lobos’ most consistent threat.
“I think anytime your running game is going, the credit starts and ends
upfront,” he said.
Which is also, coincidentally, where much of the blame goes, too.
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Last year, the Lobos’ offensive line was middle of the pack, allowing 27 sacks in 12 games — which ranked 78th in the nation.
Making things harder, the Lobos have only one returning starter on the line in center Dillon Farrell. They’ll largely be responsible for ensuring that either B.R. Holbrook, Stump Godfrey or Tarean Austin have enough time to get the ball to UNM’s frenetic foursome.
Otherwise the season might be gone in a “flash.”
“We’ve got some guys that we feel on the perimeter that can go get it,” Locksley said. ”We’re going to have to find ways to get the ball down the field to get those explosion plays.”
*Football
Cherry vs. Silver
Saturday
2 p.m.
University Stadium*
