After trailing early in Thursday’s season opener at University Stadium, New Mexico hit its stride after making some big plays in all three phases of the game. The Lobos registered plenty of explosive plays on both sides of the ball, but it was a pair of big plays on special teams that seemed to shift the game’s momentum.
For a few short minutes it looked like New Mexico might be in trouble against South Dakota. Trailing 14-7 in the middle of the first quarter, UNM let a couple of mistakes – a fumble and a missed tackle – allow USD (0-1) to gain an upper hand. That score didn’t last long as the Lobos went on to score the next 28 points, taking control of a game that would end up being a 48-21 win Thursday night at University Stadium.
Bob Davie knows who will take the first snap for the Lobos in its season opener Thursday, but fans and the opposing team will not find out until kickoff. The New Mexico head coach declined to name a starter in Monday’s press conference, but did say that both Lamar Jordan and Austin Apodaca would see time on the field.
The Lobo secondary could be one of the keys to success on an improving defense. Head coach Bob Davie said safety is one of the positions where a few players have separated themselves. He said Ryan Santos and Daniel Henry are ahead of the pack at this time.
When a team sits one quarterback down, it is usually thanks to an injury or because he was benched for poor play. However, instances of two-quarterback play may have occurred more often than one might think—especially in recent history. As recently as last season, defending champion Ohio State entered the season with a similar conundrum.
The New Mexico football team will rely on one of its new coaches to get the offensive line prepped for the season. The Lobos look like they may add some new wrinkles to the offensive game, but will still rely heavily on the option as its bread and butter.
By Robert Maler Seeing a favorite team or alma mater take the field is all the incentive most college football fans need to go out to a game, but New Mexico's faithful fans can start looking forward to some additional benefits that aim to enhance the game day experience in 2016. The New Mexico football season kicks off in less than three weeks, with its home opener against South Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 1.
New Mexico football has named its four team captains for the upcoming season, and the selections are unprecedented in more ways than one. The team elected senior linebacker Dakota Cox, safety Daniel Henry and the two starting quarterbacks from last season, Austin Apodaca and Lamar Jordan.
The preseason polls are in and New Mexico has been selected to finish fifth in the Mountain West and two defenders have made the cut for preseason All-Mountain West.
For the first time in two decades, the Lobos will open up the season on a Thursday night. Originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3, UNM will now kick off its season against South Dakota on Sept. 1.
The University of New Mexico announced on Wednesday morning the signing of its newest tailback. Kentrail Moran was listed as the number one running back in the state of Illinois has signed to join UNM’s well-established running attack for the 2016 season.
New Mexico’s phone didn’t ring once in the 2016 NFL Draft this past weekend. However, for senior running back Jhurrell Pressley, the dream of joining the National Football League has not yet come to a close.
New Mexico football wrapped up its final spring practice as players and coaches took time to reflect and fantasize about a bright future. Davie said he remembers every player’s situation, specifically.
“Physically, you look at him and he’s not the most imposing figure. But he’s a self-made guy, academically and athletically; he just works his tail off.” Offensive line coach Jason Lenzmeier had that to say about his 6-foot-2-inch 290 pound senior tackle, Garrett Adcock. Football players have to give a lot on the field both mentally and physically, but there is much more than meets the eye with this student athlete.
The New Mexico football team got its first taste of organized play with a scrimmage last Friday, along with a touch of light rain. Head coach Bob Davie said he was pleased with the turnout, which also marked the fifth annual Spring Coaches Clinic. Davie said the year prior to him taking the position there were about 10 coaches that showed up, but the numbers have grown each year. There were 75 coaches that attended Friday.
“I think he’s the first guy that I’ve ever coached that has a tongue ring ... he’s a unique guy,” said dead coach Bob Davie of defensive lineman Johnny Williams. He said it is just one of many interesting things that make Williams a renaissance man and “a real dude”. The defensive lineman plays with a high motor all the time. Davie said he had to tell him three times during practice not to tackle guys in the no-contact drills. His personality appears to be just as intense as his play, perhaps even more. Williams, 24, took a unique path on his way back to the football field and the classroom. He said he competed in MMA for three years at his hometown of Hemet, California.
The defense appears to be well ahead of the offense in the early stages of spring as players put on their pads for the first time. Head coach Bob Davie said that’s to be expected, and several of the players are being asked to do different things. He said everyone is out of their comfort zone right now, but the challenging situation is a good thing.
The New Mexico football team may have some new faces and experience some change and adversity, but as the team gets ready for spring practice, the head coach said there will be one clear focus — consistency. In Monday’s press conference, head coach Bob Davie discussed the state of the football program. He said the team continued to show growth and improvement last season and is moving in a positive direction, but one of the biggest obstacles it faced was inconsistency.
The UNM Police Department exercised a warrant to search the Lobo Village apartment of Nias Martin, a junior cornerback for the UNM football team, on February 21. While no charges have yet been filed, an alleged sexual assault and kidnapping incident occurred between Martin and a 19-year-old female student who also attends UNM. The 19-year-old reported the incident on Feb. 20, with her father and sister.
Bob Davie needs a break from talking to the 2016 recruiting class. The New Mexico head coach joked that he has heard enough from the players and needs a couple of days of silence after receiving his final list of players who signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday.
Solutions by The State News
