Deon Long is one of the only bright spots on this season’s UNM football team.
Through three games of the 2011 season, wide receiver Long has made an impact on the team by being its most potent offensive player.
The freshman has accumulated more than half of the Lobos’ total offense through the first part of the season, with 496 all-purpose yards.
Head coach Mike Locksley said Long has played well, even with the rest of the team struggling.
“I thought Deon Long played well with the opportunities he had and he competed well,” Locksley said after Saturday’s loss to Texas Tech.
If it weren’t for two overthrows by quarterback Tarean Austin, Long might have had an even more successful day against the Red Raiders.
On Saturday he had his best game of the year, with 258 all-purpose yards.
“Yeah I was frustrated, but the frustration went away quick because I knew there would be other opportunities,” Long said.
With the miscues, Locksley said he feels that the blame is on both the quarterback and receiver for not being on the same page.
“It’s a little bit of both,” Locksley said. “Deon ran a great route, and we got to put the ball on him.”
Even with the team’s poor performance, Long said he feels that the Lobos will be able to overcome its lackluster start to the season.
“I expect to win these next two games and get out momentum, and I expect the program to get off from there,” Long said.
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Long has paid his dues in his own right by sitting out last year due to the NCAA transfer rules (he transferred from West Virginia University), but during that experience, he said he learned what it would take to become better.
“I learned that it’s not high school anymore,” he said. “Everybody has the same goal. Everybody has that drive in them. You have to prepare every day. You can’t just come prepared Saturday.”
His time on the practice squad and on the sidelines has helped the wide receiver, but he said he still feels he has much to improve on, such as recognizing defenses.
“I can get better at everything — running my routes, being more explosive, being more physical in the running game,” Long said.
Expectations are high for the first year starter as he said he wants to garner some individual awards when the season is over.
In order to do so, Long will have to make the most of his touches, and he said he is already planning on doing that.
“I just want to be consistent, and every time I get the ball just go above and beyond what everyone expects from me,” Long said.
While Long is gaining yards, the Lobos, who are 0-3, can only hope that their breakout player can help them gain some wins, too.
