sports@dailylobo.com
@ThomasRomeroS
For most of the season, opposing defenses have been unable to stop the New Mexico football team’s triple option scheme.
But on Saturday at University Stadium, the Lobos will face their stiffest test of the season against Utah State’s No. 1 ranked Mountain West Conference defense.
“They are the best defensive team we’ve played. They have built that into a very strong, physical, technique and have been in the same scheme,” head coach Bob Davie said. “They’re really good, they tackle well and they’re mature.”
The Aggies are first in the MWC in total defense (351.6 yards per game), scoring defense (21.4 points per game) and more importantly in rushing defense (129.1 yards per game).
UNM ranks second in the country in rushing offense, averaging 349.3 yards per game and have only been held under 200 yards rushing once this year. The Lobos had just 193 rushing yards in their 21-13 season-opening loss to the University of Texas-San Antonio on Aug. 31.
Senior center Dillon Farrell said it all comes down to the battle between the UNM’s offensive line and USU’s defensive line.
“Not a lot of people realize how much it starts with the O-line. We kind of control the game and we kind of put the wins and losses on our back,” he said. “It’s a big part of us winning Saturday is us doing a fantastic job on our blocks and our assignments.”
Offensively, USU (3-4, 2-1 Mountain West Conference) has lost four offensive starters for the year because of various injuries. The Aggies lost their starting quarterback Chuckie Keeton to a season-ending knee injury against Brigham Young University on Oct. 4.
During the same game, USU also lost its senior tight end D.J. Tialavea to a season-ending foot injury.
Two weeks prior to the loss of Keeton and Tialavea, USU lost senior guard Kyle Whimpey and junior starting running back Joe Hill for the season due to knee injuries versus San Jose State on Sept. 27.
Davie said Wyoming starting quarterback Brett Smith and Keeton are two similar players. Last week in a 38-31 win in Wyoming over UNM, Smith burned the Lobos’ defense for 287 rushing yards and 247 passing yards with three touchdowns — one passing, two rushing.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Starting in place for the injured Keeton will be freshman quarterback Darrell Garretson, who will be making his first career Division I start. USU is on a two-game losing skid with their last loss coming versus Boise State, a 34-23 decision last weekend.
Despite the losses, USU still averages 457.3 yards of total offense per game to rank fourth in the MWC.
Davie said he still expects the Aggies to run their traditional spread offense with Garretson in the lineup.
However, the Lobos (2-4, MWC) head into Saturday’s game with quarterback questions of their own. Sophomore quarterback Cole Gautsche is dealing with a right knee injury, while junior signal-caller Clayton Mitchem has concussion-like symptoms.
On the Lobo Coaches Radio Show Wednesday, Davie said Gautsche’s MRI showed no signs of ligament damage, or a serious sprain. He also said that Mitchem’s concussion-like symptoms have subsided.
However, if neither can play, that would leave the play calling duties to junior David Vega.
Davie said Vega has played well in his limited time, but that his opportunities came when the outcome of the game wasn’t in doubt.
Vega saw some action in UNM’s 66-17 blowout win over New Mexico State on Oct. 5 and he led a late touchdown drive at Wyoming.
“Before we start getting too carried away, he comes in late in the game and there’s no pressure,” Davie said. “But he came in and he took advantage of his opportunities.”
Football vs. Utah State
Saturday
7 p.m.
University Stadium
