assistantsports@dailylobo.com
@JROppenheim
New Mexico offensive lineman Dillon Farrell may be a little insane, he said. But when people ask him about the upcoming 2013 football season, he replies by saying his goal is to win every game on the schedule.
“Maybe I’m crazy — that’s fine. I’ve been called crazy before,” the senior captain said. “I’m just an optimistic person and looking forward to the season.”
Count head coach Bob Davie in on those positive vibes.
After a stark improvement in 2012, a period considered by many as one of the best single-season turnarounds in the nation last year, the program appears to be heading in the right direction. The Lobos went from three wins total over three seasons to a 4-9 record last year.
The team has been working on its offseason strength and conditioning training since spring practices ended in April. Davie said 115 players have participated in the summer workout regime, and the only ones who haven’t been around all summer are the incoming freshmen who reported July 1.
And the results have been 100 percent positive, he said.
“I’m not naive; I realize other programs are saying the same thing,” Davie said. “There’s not a team out there that doesn’t think their summer has gone extremely well. I understand that. All I can do is compare it to what I’ve been around in the past, and we haven’t had one setback.”
New Mexico took a big hit to its roster after last semester, losing six offensive starters and another seven on defense.
With only senior linebackers Rashad Rainey and Dallas Bollema, junior linebacker Javarie Johnson, senior defensive lineman Jacori Greer remaining, this year’s defense will feature a new cast of characters, particularly in the defensive backfield. To address this, New Mexico signed 15 players to take the field on that side of the ball.
Though that makes for an inexperienced defensive unit, Davie doesn’t see it as entirely negative.
“We have some depth, we have some young talent, we’ve got some youthful kind of exuberance, and that’s good,” he said. “Really, to be honest, we are really a complete redo on defense, which is what we need.”
The Lobos will return most of its starting offensive line. Along with Farrell, New Mexico has junior LaMar Bratton, senior Darryl Johnson and sophomore Garrett Adcock to provide blocking up front.
Those players were key contributors in helping running back Kasey Carrier rush for 1,469 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
“That’s exciting,” Farrell said. “I love the guys I play with on the offensive line. These guys are my brothers.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Davie said New Mexico hopes to put a few new wrinkles into the Pistol offense his team displayed a year ago. That all depends on the quarterback and how sophomore Cole Gautsche progressed during this offseason, he said, though juniors Clayton Mitchem and Quinton McCown could also contend at QB.
The Lobos were a run-heavy team in 2012 featuring a healthy dose of the triple option. That needs to change, Davie admitted, saying the team must incorporate more passing to balance itself offensively.
“There’s no question that we can be more multiple,” Davie said. “We won’t be so one-dimensional.”
The 2013 season begins Aug. 31 with a home game against Texas-San Antonio.
TV schedule
The Lobos will have five games broadcast on the regional network and DirecTV-operated ROOT Sports. Those are the Oct. 5 game vs. New Mexico State, Oct. 12 at Wyoming, Oct. 19 vs. Utah State, Nov. 2 at San Diego State and Nov. 16 vs. Colorado State.
UNM will also have four games on an ESPN-affiliated broadcast, according to a May release from the University. The Sept. 14 game at Pittsburgh will be shown on ESPN3 and the Nov. 8 game against Air Force will be broadcast on ESPNU. Information regarding New Mexico’s televised road games at Fresno State (Nov. 23) and Boise State (Nov. 30) has yet to be released by ESPN.
