For the past three years in Bob Davie’s triple option offense, UNM wideouts have done more blocking than catching. In this spring practice, there has been an emphasis on improving the air game, but that has been the case for the past couple of seasons.
No wide receiver under Davie at UNM has caught 20 or more passes. The most catches a wide receiver has had in one season are 19, which happened twice in 2013 when receivers Jeric Magnant and Marquis Bundy both hit that mark.
“I think it would be really nice to progress in the passing game because it’s going to open up more in the run game,” Bundy said. “It’ll just open up more in the offense in general. If you improve in one, you improve in all areas.”
The Lobos took strides on National Signing Day last month by signing four new wideouts. UNM will now have 10 wide receivers on scholarships and at least four walk-ons come the fall, and Davie said the wideouts who are in spring practice now know they must improve with the additional talent coming in.
“It’s really thin right now. I think we have a chance to have some quality there. That’s why we’re bringing in four wide receivers,” Davie said. “Hopefully, by the end of August, that group will look different top to bottom. It’s thin.”
UNM has had virtually no balance to its offense the past three seasons. The Lobos last year were fourth in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 310.4 yards per game. In terms of passing offense, UNM was 123rd at 89.1 yards per game.
Wide receiver Dameon Gamblin said the offense has to move in a more balanced direction.
“Of course it would give us a better balance. It’s always to have good to have balance on the offense,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of people tell me that they’re calling out plays in the stands. It does say that we’re predictable. But we have a lot of speed on the offense and if we do strike a balance, we’ll be able to toy with the defense and do whatever we want.”
The Lobos do have several wide receivers who have shown to be able to make plays, including Carlos Wiggins, Bundy, Gamblin and Ridge Jones. Wiggins might move from the slot receiver position to the outside this upcoming season, Davie said.
Full contact
Friday’s spring practice was one of UNM’s most physical thus far.
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The Lobos went at each other in tackling drills and scrimmaged for more than 15 minutes at the end. UNM has just 10 spring practices left.
“I think to be able to flick the switch on a Friday that you’ve been out here since 5 o’clock this morning — it shows that it’s important to them,” Davie said. “That’s ebb and flow of spring ball when you scrimmage and how much you scrimmage. I just think the fact that we competed and guys enjoyed doing it.”
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
