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It’s no secret the Lobo football team has been offensively and defensively challenged over the past three years. Last season’s team proved that with a national offensive ranking of 113 and defensive ranking of 118.
This year’s team will have a different look on both fronts, thanks to new offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse from Sam Houston State and defensive coordinator Jeff Mills from Washington University.
DeBesse is bringing his run-oriented attack from Sam Houston State, a school that beat the Lobos last season in overtime 48-45. But it might be a while before UNM becomes as dangerous as the Bearkats.
“Basically we’re kind of running the same stuff — not to the extent that we did there, we’re not as multiple and not as evolved — we can’t be because we’re just starting off,” DeBesse said. “I look back at 2010 when we first got to Sam Houston and it was an evolution.”
Sam Houston State averaged 245.1 rushing yards per game last year, while the Lobos ranked No. 106 nationally and averaged less than half the Bearkats’ output with 113.2 yards.
DeBesse said that by limiting mistakes the Lobos can be more effective running the ball.
“At the end of the season, I want us to be the most disciplined offense of the United States from the standpoint of minimizing foolish penalties, turnovers, protecting the football, having an appreciation for ball security and finding a way to outscore the opponent,” DeBesse said.
As for the defensive side of the ball, Mills said he is trying to install a defense that will be capable of handling any offense.
Last year, as secondary coach for the Huskies, Mills helped the Huskies become the No. 27 ranked pass defense in the nation.
“Multiple 3-4 defenses, we’re going to emphasize stopping the run; try to force teams into passing,” Mills said. “Nowadays you got to be pretty flexible to defend the offenses you defend.”
Specifically, Mills said he wants to pressure the quarterback, and with the Lobos combining for 10 sacks total last season, it will be a much-needed improvement.
“We’re going to be attacking front first — it starts with our d-line — we’re going to attack up front, get off on the ball and try to mix enough change-ups pressure-wise and coverage-wise to keep teams off-balance,” Mills said. “We’re going to be an attacking team.”
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UNM returns only eight offensive starters and five defensive starters from last year’s team and 43 letter winners, but Mills said the lack of talent and depth won’t hurt UNM’s offensive or defensive schemes.
“It’s more than talent,” he said. “So many people talk about talent, but talent isn’t enough to be successful. It’s about those intangibles — it’s about effort, playing together as a band of brothers. It’s all those things that really maybe don’t fit the criteria of the physical scales people look at.”
