The Wimple's ranking of the MWC's secondaries, best to worst:
Air Force's corners are the conference's best returning tandem: Anthony Wright and Reggie Rembert were 1st- and 2nd-team all-MWC. Jon Davis joins returns as safety with them, and the only newcomer is Phil Ohili, who has two years' experience as a backup. Air Force and TCU had the best pass defenses in the MWC last season, holding opposing squads to 154 and 157 ypg, and 57.6% and 47.4% completions. AFA returns 75% of its starters secondary; TCU only 40%-- although new starting cornerback Jason Teague played lots and often in '09. AFA's and TCU's secondaries are the class of the conference in 2010.
See TCU's and the rest of the MWC's secondary ranking after the jump.
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
MWC unit previews: Special Teams
Preseason practices are just weeks away. To get you there, the Wimple begins the MWC unit rankings, starting with special teams.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
NEW MEXICO spring report
New Mexico went into spring drills with a mission to find a way to stop the bleeding. And, perhaps to the mild surprise of MWC fans everywhere, it may have found it. It starts on the defense, which was utterly hapless in 2009, ranking in the triple digits for total defense, scoring defense, and pass efficiency defense– despite the nation’s leading tackler prowling the middle of the field. It may be fair to ask how this unit could not improve.The improvement begins up front, where highly touted transfer tackle Reggie Ellis (right), who followed Coach Locksley from Illinois to Albuquerque enters the gameday lineup, next to all-MWC end Jonathan Rainey and (probably) true freshman Calvin Smith, perhaps the conference’s biggest recruiting coup of the 2010 class. The other end, Jaymar Latchison, returns as well. Look for the Lobos to feature a dramatically upgraded pass rush.
Which dramatic upgrade will take loads of pressure off the linebackers, led by Carmen Messina (left), who was perhaps the team’s lone really bright spot in 2009. Messina tallied 163 tackles last year, half of them solo. Messina is the only returning starting LB for the Lobos; Joe Stoner played his way into a starting slot this spring, while the third spot remains open.The Lobos’ strength on the line also will help their secondary, which has nowhere to go but up, compared to last year. And up they’ll go, with Bubba Forrest at full health (he didn’t practice this spring), and a raft of new athletes to up the competitiveness of the group. A. J. Butler, and Carmeiris Stewart (formerly at RB and WR), and several incoming freshmen can’t help but improve the performance of the defense’s third level.
Also working to help the defense will be a much-improved (compared to its near-useless 2009 incarnation) offense. New Mexico tallied triple-digit national ranks in rushing, scoring, and total offense last season. On this side of the trench, there’s nowhere to go but up, as well. Unlike the defense, however, the growth on offense is generated behind the line. Quarterback B. R. Holbrook (right) all but seized the starting role. Coach Locksley appeared unwilling to name Holbrook the starter only because he’d promised signees Tarean Austin and (all-name candidate) Stump Godfrey a fair chance at it. Neither Austin nor Godfrey enrolled early, however, and they’re clearly going to start well behind Holbrook come August. Brad Gruner and Tate Smith both were injured by the end of spring, leaving Holbrook most of the first-team snaps. Holbrook shone under center, and appears poised to lead a dramatically more effective passing attack. One 
of Holbrook’s better targets, Michael Scarlett, went down in the spring game, and his injury and status remain undisclosed. But TE Lucas Reed and WRs Myles Daugherty and Chris Hernandez will haul in the passes.Lobo watchers have more reason to be excited about their team’s improvement on the ground. Demond Dennis and Kasey Carrier (left)made waves this spring, breaking long runs behind the stout line play of tackle Byron Bell. Dennis moved passed Wright into the #2 spot on the chart. LT Bell is the new leader of the line, which replaces three seniors on the right, including all-MWC and NFL-draftee center Erik Cook. Their replacements all saw significant playing time in ‘09, and showed well in the spring.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
NEW MEXICO wraps up, hitting bottom. [updated]
It's hard to find the silver lining in this car wreck; New Mexico had about as bad a season as possible. Even worse, nobody expected it. But Locksley's recruiting magic may have dampened the effect of the Lobos' off-the-field woes, and let's face it: there's only one direction Locksley can pull (or, dare we say it, punch?) his team after the tailspin in Albuquerque this year: up.
That this year began with 0-3, against Texas A&M, Tulsa, and Air Force, wasn't completely surprising; that New Mexico couldn't manage an offensive touchdown until almost halftime in its third game (AFA) was. The Lobos returning depth at QB and O-line was bizarrely meaningless, and newcomers Demond Dennis and James Wright at runningback seemed totally lost. Worry turned to panic when lowly New Mexico State rallied to beat the Lobos in week 4, and by 0-5 a week later, the crap hit the fan. Mike Locksley punched, or didn't, an assistant coach, triggering a ten-day suspension.
Credit the Lobos, however: they kept fighting (their opponents, that is). At 0-9, New Mexico scared the bejeebers out of BYU, and were it not for otherworldly bad luck at field goals (two hit the uprights, a third blocked), would have ended the skid at nine losses. Said skid ended a week later at ten, when New Mexico ran all over Colorado State (its only successful rushing game, and not coincidentally, its ownly successful game at all) for the Lobos' sole win.
Rushing is the primary ill plaguing the team. A full seven teams held New Mexico under 100 yards on the ground (well under; the Lobos' average output in those games: 53 net yards rushing!). In its four other losses, New Mexico managed just over 140 yards rushing, on average. With such low production, losing three starting linemen isn't necessarily a blow, although C Erik Cook is the '09 all-MWC first-team center, and will be missed. All three graduating linemen have experienced backups, perhaps a hopeful sign for more potency on the ground in 2010. All of New Mexico's runningbacks return-- and freshmen Kasey Carrier and Demond Dennis improved as the season wore on. As in '09, these fellows will have more to do with their team's success than any other unit.
Elsewhere on offense the team was young; only three seniors were on the two-deep at WR, TE, FB, and QB. WR Michael Scarlett will be the go-to receiver in '10. Sophomore B.R. Holbrook appears to lead the battle to replace Donovan Porterie under center, but because he played in several games this season without sparking any improvement, he's not going to cement that starting role without besting any freshman that joins the team in the fall. That uncluttered depthchart may aid Locksley in luring a decent QB recruit to don the cherry and white. (Tarean Austin, in Florida, is the prime target.)
On defense, tackle-monster Carmen Messina returns, as do both corners and 3/4 of the starters on the line; clearly they need more from the offense to succeed. They do get more depth, regardless, as DT transfers Ugo Udzomina and Reggie Ellis that followed Locksley from Illinois have finished sitting out the mandatory year. The Lobos bring in several freshmen DBs who may contribute early. To date Locksley's crew tops only UNLV in the conference in number of recruits committed so far (eight). Lobo fans are high on Locksley's recruiting, however, and expect the schematic 180 that threw their team for such a loop in 2009 to resolve itself much more favorably in 2010.
That this year began with 0-3, against Texas A&M, Tulsa, and Air Force, wasn't completely surprising; that New Mexico couldn't manage an offensive touchdown until almost halftime in its third game (AFA) was. The Lobos returning depth at QB and O-line was bizarrely meaningless, and newcomers Demond Dennis and James Wright at runningback seemed totally lost. Worry turned to panic when lowly New Mexico State rallied to beat the Lobos in week 4, and by 0-5 a week later, the crap hit the fan. Mike Locksley punched, or didn't, an assistant coach, triggering a ten-day suspension.
Credit the Lobos, however: they kept fighting (their opponents, that is). At 0-9, New Mexico scared the bejeebers out of BYU, and were it not for otherworldly bad luck at field goals (two hit the uprights, a third blocked), would have ended the skid at nine losses. Said skid ended a week later at ten, when New Mexico ran all over Colorado State (its only successful rushing game, and not coincidentally, its ownly successful game at all) for the Lobos' sole win.
Rushing is the primary ill plaguing the team. A full seven teams held New Mexico under 100 yards on the ground (well under; the Lobos' average output in those games: 53 net yards rushing!). In its four other losses, New Mexico managed just over 140 yards rushing, on average. With such low production, losing three starting linemen isn't necessarily a blow, although C Erik Cook is the '09 all-MWC first-team center, and will be missed. All three graduating linemen have experienced backups, perhaps a hopeful sign for more potency on the ground in 2010. All of New Mexico's runningbacks return-- and freshmen Kasey Carrier and Demond Dennis improved as the season wore on. As in '09, these fellows will have more to do with their team's success than any other unit.
Elsewhere on offense the team was young; only three seniors were on the two-deep at WR, TE, FB, and QB. WR Michael Scarlett will be the go-to receiver in '10. Sophomore B.R. Holbrook appears to lead the battle to replace Donovan Porterie under center, but because he played in several games this season without sparking any improvement, he's not going to cement that starting role without besting any freshman that joins the team in the fall. That uncluttered depthchart may aid Locksley in luring a decent QB recruit to don the cherry and white. (Tarean Austin, in Florida, is the prime target.)
On defense, tackle-monster Carmen Messina returns, as do both corners and 3/4 of the starters on the line; clearly they need more from the offense to succeed. They do get more depth, regardless, as DT transfers Ugo Udzomina and Reggie Ellis that followed Locksley from Illinois have finished sitting out the mandatory year. The Lobos bring in several freshmen DBs who may contribute early. To date Locksley's crew tops only UNLV in the conference in number of recruits committed so far (eight). Lobo fans are high on Locksley's recruiting, however, and expect the schematic 180 that threw their team for such a loop in 2009 to resolve itself much more favorably in 2010.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
TCU 51, New Mexico 10
While it's true the game wasn't over before it started, TCU demolished New Mexico, apparently without trying too hard. The Lobos recovered two Horned Frog fumbles, and forced the purple and white to punt seven times. But in the end, it was still a coronation for the conference champs, and an emphatic one at that. TCU out-ran New Mexico 4.5 ypc to 0.3; out-passed UNM 9.5 ypc to 3.6; and threw no interceptions to UNM's four- two of those for TDs.
Dalton and the offense alternated between spectacular and uninspiring. In one first-half five-and-a-half minute stretch, Joe Turner ran for a TD, and Dalton threw TD passes to Bart Johnson and (twice) to Antoine Hicks. The Frogs let up on the gas after that, scoring only 7 more offensive points.
TCU's run defense showed its might early and often, holding the Lobos to only ten yards on the ground. Kelly Griffin nearly intercepted Donovan Porterie (see photo), and Jerry Hughes tallied his 11th sack of the season (technically 11.5th). Daryl Washington and Tank Carder combined for 21 tackles, five of them for losses, and interception and a pass break-up. Washington and Raphael Priest each had pick-sixes on consecutive UNM drives in the fourth quarter.photos: Keith Robinson
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Unreadables: SDSU and New Mexico
Next in the Wimple's pre-season parade come two teams that defy confident prognostication: the New Mexico Lobos, and the San Diego State Aztecs. Both sport new coaches and coordinators (the twists: UNM's former leader is now the DC at SDSU, and every single Lobo coach is new to the program this year).
New Mexico wasn't really a team in distress like Wyoming or SDSU were; and early indications are that the change from run to spread won't be as traumatic as one usually expects. Locksley's spreads feature more running than Missouri/Wyoming's, for example. Further, it's easier mentally. "We as coaches are making the checks," the coach explains. "If we see blitz and we don't want to run the play, we check out as opposed to teaching the quarterback . . . and saying, 'If you see this, this or this, run that play, that play or that play. . .' We've got coaches paid to know all that. [For the QB,] you're taking the thinking out of it."
So who'll be running this new attack? Donovan Porterie, now in his 11th (it seems) year under center in Albuquerque, and redshirt freshman B. R. Holbrook have risen to the top of the depth chart. Holbrook has the Lobo's fan sites twitter-painted. (Heralded freshman QB Emmanuel Yeager quit the team shortly after enrolling.)
Look for Roland Bruno, Bryant Williams, and Nick Willhelm to be UNM's go-to receivers. All-MWC center Eric Cook and his now-experienced brethren on the offensive line appear capable of opening holes for freshman Demond Dennis, pictured, who has blown passed Terrence Brown, Kasey Carrier, and A. J. Butler in the backfield depth chart.
The only concern on the defense might be safety Ian Clark's sore shoulder, which kept him out of most practices. But Bubba Forrest played very well Clark's place. If the offense hums along as good as it could, the Lobos may make the MWC's biggest waves out of conference, beating Texas A&M and scaring Texas Tech.
But New Mexico still baffles predictors. Phil Steele relegated them to the conference's second-worst, which seems too low, considering the Lobos' strong returning lines, QB experience, and general good performance and expectations. The Wimple predicted a mushy-middle finish for them this spring, but if the Lobos' own Year One of the spread proves as difficult as Years One usually do, that may be too high. Thus the retreat to professed ignorance: New Mexico is Unreadable in 2009.
The other unreadable, San Diego State, has the most returning experience in the conference, but the least institutional memory of success. New headcoach Brady Hoke worries about both of his lines. He does have experienced returners in both sides of the trenches, however. Jonathan Soto and B.J. Williams are one of the conference's better pairs of DEs, as are Tommie Draheim and Peter Nelson at OT.
Where the Aztecs excel on defense is at linebacker, where Jerry Milling, Luke Laolagi, and Miles Burress will shine in Rocky Long's 3-3-5. Nick Sanford appears to have sewn up the role of inaugural "Aztec" back. Toss in a few good WRs (Brown, Sampson, and Wallace), and more returners on the lines than... than probably any team in the NCAA, and you have a first-class condundrum. How will SDSU perform in '09? The answer probably lies with the Mountain West's most undervalued quarterback, sophomore Ryan Lindley.
Lindley (pictured) has impressed his position coach with the speed that he's learned Hoke's west coast attack. OC Al Borges adds further praise, "[Lindley]'s taken to heart some of the things we've talked about, particularly regarding some of the footwork issues we're trying to get him to do. There were growing pains in the spring, but they're really not showing up much in the fall.” This should hearten Aztec fans immeasurably, because Lindley was able to make even last year's humble offense run pretty well. Add a much healthier supporting cast, and any life at all in the running game, and this year's Lindley may command an offense that is . . . really good.
Questions remain for the ground attack, however. Attiyyah Henderson, another seemingly 11th-year starter, cracked a bone in his upper back, and has ceded the backfield to Brandon Sullivan, and freshmen Anthony Miller and Ronnie Hillman. Hoke fingers Sullivan to carry the running game with more focus and health this year. Further furrowing the forecaster's brow is SDSU's lines, which, for all their experience, don't have any experience being good.
Consider further these football Rules: (1) the first year of a new scheme always disappoints; (2) thou shalt have strong lines; (3) success is learned; and (4) college teams in pro-sports towns suffer. San Diego State must break all four of these rules in order to excel, and to date it remembers no success doing so. But the Aztecs may hit conference play with three or four skins on its wall; they will begin the season in much better shape physically than they're used to being (note the lighter tans this season, perhaps signalling fewer hours at the beach). How this season's SDSU shakes out is requires too much speculating to give a numbers, or ranking, figure. Something better than last year is the best one can do.
New Mexico wasn't really a team in distress like Wyoming or SDSU were; and early indications are that the change from run to spread won't be as traumatic as one usually expects. Locksley's spreads feature more running than Missouri/Wyoming's, for example. Further, it's easier mentally. "We as coaches are making the checks," the coach explains. "If we see blitz and we don't want to run the play, we check out as opposed to teaching the quarterback . . . and saying, 'If you see this, this or this, run that play, that play or that play. . .' We've got coaches paid to know all that. [For the QB,] you're taking the thinking out of it."
So who'll be running this new attack? Donovan Porterie, now in his 11th (it seems) year under center in Albuquerque, and redshirt freshman B. R. Holbrook have risen to the top of the depth chart. Holbrook has the Lobo's fan sites twitter-painted. (Heralded freshman QB Emmanuel Yeager quit the team shortly after enrolling.)Look for Roland Bruno, Bryant Williams, and Nick Willhelm to be UNM's go-to receivers. All-MWC center Eric Cook and his now-experienced brethren on the offensive line appear capable of opening holes for freshman Demond Dennis, pictured, who has blown passed Terrence Brown, Kasey Carrier, and A. J. Butler in the backfield depth chart.
The only concern on the defense might be safety Ian Clark's sore shoulder, which kept him out of most practices. But Bubba Forrest played very well Clark's place. If the offense hums along as good as it could, the Lobos may make the MWC's biggest waves out of conference, beating Texas A&M and scaring Texas Tech.
But New Mexico still baffles predictors. Phil Steele relegated them to the conference's second-worst, which seems too low, considering the Lobos' strong returning lines, QB experience, and general good performance and expectations. The Wimple predicted a mushy-middle finish for them this spring, but if the Lobos' own Year One of the spread proves as difficult as Years One usually do, that may be too high. Thus the retreat to professed ignorance: New Mexico is Unreadable in 2009.
The other unreadable, San Diego State, has the most returning experience in the conference, but the least institutional memory of success. New headcoach Brady Hoke worries about both of his lines. He does have experienced returners in both sides of the trenches, however. Jonathan Soto and B.J. Williams are one of the conference's better pairs of DEs, as are Tommie Draheim and Peter Nelson at OT.Where the Aztecs excel on defense is at linebacker, where Jerry Milling, Luke Laolagi, and Miles Burress will shine in Rocky Long's 3-3-5. Nick Sanford appears to have sewn up the role of inaugural "Aztec" back. Toss in a few good WRs (Brown, Sampson, and Wallace), and more returners on the lines than... than probably any team in the NCAA, and you have a first-class condundrum. How will SDSU perform in '09? The answer probably lies with the Mountain West's most undervalued quarterback, sophomore Ryan Lindley.
Lindley (pictured) has impressed his position coach with the speed that he's learned Hoke's west coast attack. OC Al Borges adds further praise, "[Lindley]'s taken to heart some of the things we've talked about, particularly regarding some of the footwork issues we're trying to get him to do. There were growing pains in the spring, but they're really not showing up much in the fall.” This should hearten Aztec fans immeasurably, because Lindley was able to make even last year's humble offense run pretty well. Add a much healthier supporting cast, and any life at all in the running game, and this year's Lindley may command an offense that is . . . really good.Questions remain for the ground attack, however. Attiyyah Henderson, another seemingly 11th-year starter, cracked a bone in his upper back, and has ceded the backfield to Brandon Sullivan, and freshmen Anthony Miller and Ronnie Hillman. Hoke fingers Sullivan to carry the running game with more focus and health this year. Further furrowing the forecaster's brow is SDSU's lines, which, for all their experience, don't have any experience being good.
Consider further these football Rules: (1) the first year of a new scheme always disappoints; (2) thou shalt have strong lines; (3) success is learned; and (4) college teams in pro-sports towns suffer. San Diego State must break all four of these rules in order to excel, and to date it remembers no success doing so. But the Aztecs may hit conference play with three or four skins on its wall; they will begin the season in much better shape physically than they're used to being (note the lighter tans this season, perhaps signalling fewer hours at the beach). How this season's SDSU shakes out is requires too much speculating to give a numbers, or ranking, figure. Something better than last year is the best one can do.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Rating the MWC: the bowlers
Continuing our survey of the Mountain West, today's look is at the Bowlers.
Air Force's inclusion in this list is heavily contingent on the Asher Clark's health. The sophemore tailback was a key cog in last year's Coach-of-the-Year performance from Troy Calhoun's outrageously young Falcons. Clark broke his leg in spring drills, while filling in for eligibility-challenged Tim Jefferson (another key cog) at QB. The Falcons return starters primarily to their offensive line and secondary, but must replace the strong defensive line.
At home, AFA opens with cupcake Nicholls State, and also face SDSU, TCU, Wyoming, Army, and UNLV. How the Falcons hold up against the Horned Frogs and Rebels may define the tenor of the season for the Academy. AFA travels to Minnesota, New Mexico, Navy, Utah, Colorado State, and BYU-- all tough matches. If the whole crew returns (which is a large returning contingent, unlike last year), look for AFA to make waves out of conference, finally beating Navy, and maybe taking down Minnesota in Minneapolis as well. Air Force will be a dangerous roadgame for TCU and Utah as well. Running on all cylinders, the Falcons may reach 8 wins again.
New Mexico lost its coach in the strangest off-season move of the year: Rocky Long fled, at least publically on his own initiative, and wound up coaching the defense in San Diego (see below). The Lobos responded with the best coaching hire of the year, handing the reins to Mike Locksley, Illinois's OC. The new guy capped a complete turnover in staff, and inherited a talented team in Albuquerque that is used to winning. The '08 Lobos missed their first post-season as players last year. Their new offensive and defensive schemes are not the wholesale changes we'll see in Wyoming; but it's much faster-paced stuff, too, and the players have shown growing and transition pains, especially at O-line.
Donovan Porterie (pictured) hopes to quell the very competitive battle brewing at QB, and hope Terrence Brown will fill Rodney Ferguson's ample shoes at tailback. Their once-young O-line will be as much of a strength in '09 as they want to be; inexperience won't be an issue anymore.
New Mexico starts on the road at Texas A&M, whom the Lobos might just beat-- signaling good things for the conference and the Cherry-clad Albuquerqueans. (say that three times fast...) New Mexico also travels to Texas Tech, Wyoming, SDSU, Utah, and TCU. Taking three out of those five would be a new high for the Lobos. At home, UNM faces Tulsa, AFA, New Mexico State, UNLV, BYU, and CSU. New Mexico expects .500 at home, but may best that mark if Tulsa can't reload at QB like they have in the past, or if AFA or BYU slip up. New Mexico's defense may have a heyday against the new quarterbacks they'll face: A&M, Tech, Tulsa, NMState, Utah, and CSU are all breaking in new starters under center. If the Lobos have their act together from the get-go, they may carry the MWC's banner out of conference, and have a say in who takes the big trophy in it.
UNLV is finally ready to cap its rise from utter obscurity with a return to the post season. Mike Sanford's crew now almost numbers 85 on scholarship; they return one of the conference's best and toughest QBs (Omar Clayton is the guy who played through a broken chin in last year's overtime upset at Arizona State), a bevy of terrific wideouts, and good lines. The Rebels gambled on JUCO transfers to help plug their porous secondary, and they appear to have won the bet with Warren Ziegler, and also returners Travis Dixon, Terrence Lee, and Chris Jones. The only gaping hole is at runningback-- when Frank "the Tank" Summers went down against San Diego State last season, the cost was a bowl invitation. The committee of runners who'll try and fill Summers' shoes will work behind a good line and in tandem with a good passing game; if they can't succeed, it'll be their own fault.
UNLV starts the season with three home games: Sacramento State, Oregon State, and Hawaii. Considering Hawaii's drop in performance when away from the enchanted isles, look for the Rebs to take 2 of these 3. Upsetting Oregon State might match the improbability of UNLV's toppling Arizona State last season. The Rebels also face BYU, Utah, CSU, and SDSU at home. Winning three of those four would mean the Rebels have improved more than expected. UNLV travels to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, TCU, and Air Force. Only Wyoming is a probable win for Rebs-- their first conference road win in years. Air Force, if at all weakened by the long season, may prove a second road win.
Bowl eligibity is one upset away for the Rebs this season. The moral of the story: don't fire a coach whose ship is pointed in the right direction just because it ain't sailing as fast as you'd like. (ah hem, SDSU!)
Air Force's inclusion in this list is heavily contingent on the Asher Clark's health. The sophemore tailback was a key cog in last year's Coach-of-the-Year performance from Troy Calhoun's outrageously young Falcons. Clark broke his leg in spring drills, while filling in for eligibility-challenged Tim Jefferson (another key cog) at QB. The Falcons return starters primarily to their offensive line and secondary, but must replace the strong defensive line.At home, AFA opens with cupcake Nicholls State, and also face SDSU, TCU, Wyoming, Army, and UNLV. How the Falcons hold up against the Horned Frogs and Rebels may define the tenor of the season for the Academy. AFA travels to Minnesota, New Mexico, Navy, Utah, Colorado State, and BYU-- all tough matches. If the whole crew returns (which is a large returning contingent, unlike last year), look for AFA to make waves out of conference, finally beating Navy, and maybe taking down Minnesota in Minneapolis as well. Air Force will be a dangerous roadgame for TCU and Utah as well. Running on all cylinders, the Falcons may reach 8 wins again.
New Mexico lost its coach in the strangest off-season move of the year: Rocky Long fled, at least publically on his own initiative, and wound up coaching the defense in San Diego (see below). The Lobos responded with the best coaching hire of the year, handing the reins to Mike Locksley, Illinois's OC. The new guy capped a complete turnover in staff, and inherited a talented team in Albuquerque that is used to winning. The '08 Lobos missed their first post-season as players last year. Their new offensive and defensive schemes are not the wholesale changes we'll see in Wyoming; but it's much faster-paced stuff, too, and the players have shown growing and transition pains, especially at O-line.Donovan Porterie (pictured) hopes to quell the very competitive battle brewing at QB, and hope Terrence Brown will fill Rodney Ferguson's ample shoes at tailback. Their once-young O-line will be as much of a strength in '09 as they want to be; inexperience won't be an issue anymore.
New Mexico starts on the road at Texas A&M, whom the Lobos might just beat-- signaling good things for the conference and the Cherry-clad Albuquerqueans. (say that three times fast...) New Mexico also travels to Texas Tech, Wyoming, SDSU, Utah, and TCU. Taking three out of those five would be a new high for the Lobos. At home, UNM faces Tulsa, AFA, New Mexico State, UNLV, BYU, and CSU. New Mexico expects .500 at home, but may best that mark if Tulsa can't reload at QB like they have in the past, or if AFA or BYU slip up. New Mexico's defense may have a heyday against the new quarterbacks they'll face: A&M, Tech, Tulsa, NMState, Utah, and CSU are all breaking in new starters under center. If the Lobos have their act together from the get-go, they may carry the MWC's banner out of conference, and have a say in who takes the big trophy in it.
UNLV is finally ready to cap its rise from utter obscurity with a return to the post season. Mike Sanford's crew now almost numbers 85 on scholarship; they return one of the conference's best and toughest QBs (Omar Clayton is the guy who played through a broken chin in last year's overtime upset at Arizona State), a bevy of terrific wideouts, and good lines. The Rebels gambled on JUCO transfers to help plug their porous secondary, and they appear to have won the bet with Warren Ziegler, and also returners Travis Dixon, Terrence Lee, and Chris Jones. The only gaping hole is at runningback-- when Frank "the Tank" Summers went down against San Diego State last season, the cost was a bowl invitation. The committee of runners who'll try and fill Summers' shoes will work behind a good line and in tandem with a good passing game; if they can't succeed, it'll be their own fault.UNLV starts the season with three home games: Sacramento State, Oregon State, and Hawaii. Considering Hawaii's drop in performance when away from the enchanted isles, look for the Rebs to take 2 of these 3. Upsetting Oregon State might match the improbability of UNLV's toppling Arizona State last season. The Rebels also face BYU, Utah, CSU, and SDSU at home. Winning three of those four would mean the Rebels have improved more than expected. UNLV travels to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, TCU, and Air Force. Only Wyoming is a probable win for Rebs-- their first conference road win in years. Air Force, if at all weakened by the long season, may prove a second road win.
Bowl eligibity is one upset away for the Rebs this season. The moral of the story: don't fire a coach whose ship is pointed in the right direction just because it ain't sailing as fast as you'd like. (ah hem, SDSU!)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New Mexico - post spring
New Mexico may be surprisingly strong; they replaced every single coach in the off-season, but return strong lines, experienced QBs, and talent to replace Rodney Ferguson- perhaps the best Lobo rusher in the modern era. The Lobos' Locksley isn't naming any starters while teaching his players yet another offensives system, and are looking for a few good men to fill DeAndre Wright and Grover Quinn's shoes in the secondary, as well as Jermaine Queen at WR.Defense looks sharp, intercepting the QBs; practice is less about hard hitting than it is about being in the right place; Gruner and Smith impress in the QB battle, though Donovan Porterie looks like the starter going in to fall. Big DT Peter Gardner impresses on the line. Gruner and RB Terrence Brown (pictured) got the best of the D in a scrimmage; Porterie isn't trailing in the QB battle; Donovan Porterie has regained a comfort zone after his rehab, while WR Roland Bruno and PK James Aho are making plays consistently. Safeties Bubba Forrest (really!) and Mica Williams have impressed.
DT Ahraya Crespin and Donovan Porterie shone in the spring game; Terrence Brown was on crutches.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
MWC goes 4-0 against the Pac-10
It's a banner week for the Mountain West-- the conference's teams went 6-1 against division 1-A competition, including four wins over Pac-10 foes. BYU shut out UCLA 59-0; TCU beat Stanford 31-14; New Mexico upset Arizona 36-28; and UNLV shocked #15 Arizona State, in Tempe, 23-20 in double overtime, blocking the Sun Devils' attempt to tie the game with a field goal. (in that game, Rebels' QB Omar Clayton took a hit in the jaw so hard in the second quarter that they team x-rayed him to make sure it wasn't broken. It wasn't. Clayton returned to the game, and led UNLV to the win.)
BYU, TCU, and New Mexico each capitalized on multiple turnovers by their BCS foes.
The Mountain West is 6-3 against BCS competition this year, and 10-3 against all D-1A teams.
BYU, TCU, and New Mexico each capitalized on multiple turnovers by their BCS foes.
The Mountain West is 6-3 against BCS competition this year, and 10-3 against all D-1A teams.
Monday, September 1, 2008
TCU 26, New Mexico 3
There are a dozen or more newspaper stories about TCU's win over New Mexico Saturday. But I think this picture says more all of them. God bless the kid-- we all know he's a hoss. But don't put Ryan Christian in at tailback, for crying out loud! Oh well. TCU won anyway. The game wasn't as easy as the score indicated, but it was on the road, in conference, and the opener. If the offense and the playcalling improve, the sins of this win will be quickly forgiven and forgotten.
Here're the press clippings. Fast starting Frogs dominate UNM, Satisfying but not Dazzling, GoFrogs, AP, FWST Notes
Photo: Keith Robinson
Friday, April 25, 2008
Post-Spring MWC Footbal Round-up: the Rebuilders
Two of the MWC's five bowl teams (AFA and UNM) lose so many pieces of their '07 squads that they must measure success in '08 by their record in '09. Add to these the hapless Colorado State Rams, who dwelt with UNLV at the bottom of the conference last year, but have only a new coach to show for it, and SDSU, who'll be breaking in 4 new starters on the O-line and another at QB, and you have the conference's 2008 rebuilders.
- NEW MEXICO-- 2007 was the best year for New Mexico in a generation. Don't expect 2008 to exceed it, however, because the Lobos have to rebuild the offensive line, again. They also must find new go-to receivers, too. The defense ought to be stout, and UNM has talent eventually to get back on track in a big way-- in 2009.
- AIR FORCE-- AFA lost its top 6 rushers to graduation, including the MWC offensive POTY, Chad Hall; it will rely on a brand new QB in '08 as well. In short: Troy Calhoun's coaching challenge begins in earnest. The Academy's rebuilding project will depend on how quickly young and new players can master Air Force's ground attack.
- COLORADO STATE-- Can a new coach reverse the Rams' slide into mediocrity? CSU will be one of the conference's biggest question marks in 2008. The defensive line must be replaced-- not that the old one will be missed-- and so must the quarterback-- who will be missed. The good news is that runningback Kyle Bell returns, and is just the kind of player you can build a team around.
- SAN DIEGO STATE-- The Aztecs sent four players into the NFL via its draft, the most of any MWC team. For the first time in Chuck Long's tenure, however, the cupboard doesn't seem bare. His young team tasted winning last season, but must mature in a hurry to taste it again in '08.
Monday, December 3, 2007
TCU to return to Houston for the Texas Bowl; 5 MWC Teams Go Bowling
http://www.texasbowl.org/-- TCU will square off against the Houston Cougars in the 2007 Texas Bowl . . . This is the Horned Frogs’ third consecutive winning season and their third consecutive bowl appearance. . . TCU head coach Gary Patterson is in his seventh season at the helm and has posted a 60-25 record, including leading the Horned Frogs to a bowl game six times. Patterson has had four 10-win seasons, more then any other coach in TCU history.The 2007 Texas Bowl will be played on Friday, December 28 at Reliant Stadium at 7:00 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on NFL Network. DePelchin Children’s Center, Houston’s oldest charitable organization, is the official charitable partner of the Texas Bowl.
[here's the goFrogs.com release]
Five Mountain West teams will play bowl games this year- the most ever. The Mtn.'s preview of the MWC bowls.
BYU will face UCLA (again!) in Las Vegas, Air Force v. California in Fort Worth; Utah v. Navy in San Diego, TCU v. Houston in Houston, and New Mexico v. Nevada in Albequerque.
Monday, November 5, 2007
TCU 37, New Mexico 0
Continuing its guess-who game, TCU tried on complete domination for size, throttling New Mexico on Saturday after 16 days off. Andy Dalton, who threw four interceptions against Utah in his last outing, was flawless, delivering three touchdown passes and no interceptions against the Lobos.
TCU's defense regained its swagger, shutting down the league's second-best back, Rodney Ferguson; after allowing a 22 yard pass in the game's opening offensive play, the Frogs held Donovan Porterie to just more 54 passing yards in the remaining 59 minutes.
TCU travels to BYU Thursday.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Sorting the MWC: Pushing for a Bowl
Last season's adjustment in schedule lengths and bowl-eligibility made seven the new six: non-BCS teams are unlikely to go bowling unless they have seven wins. The Mountain West has ties to only four bowls, meaning five teams are likely to sit at home for Christmas, unless they can come up with seven wins, making them more eligible for an at-large bid than a 6-6 BCS team.
Which MWC teams are likely to get seven or more wins this year? TCU, BYU, and Utah are all but certain to. UNLV, SDSU and Air Force are all but certain not to. In the mushy middle sit Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado State. Of the three, Wyoming seems the most likely to achieve seven wins: Virginia, Utah State, Ohio, and Boise State are all winnable OOC games for the Cowboys. In conference, a .500 record is a possibility. Wyoming's tight defense is probably going to be improved in '07, and their star QB, Karsten Sween, won't be so shiney and new.
New Mexico also returns a rising star at QB- Donovan Porterie- but will be building a new offensive line to protect him and Rodney Ferguson, a terrific runningback. Look for the Lobos to start the year slowly.
Colorado State hopes Kyle Bell's return will spur new life into its offense, which went lifeless in the second half last year. Coach Lubick, who is feeling heat, is trying to get more physical play from his team. If he gets it, the Rams will be bowling again in 2007.
Look for Wyoming to place fourth or tie for third in conference, with New Mexico and Colorado State coming in next.
Which MWC teams are likely to get seven or more wins this year? TCU, BYU, and Utah are all but certain to. UNLV, SDSU and Air Force are all but certain not to. In the mushy middle sit Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado State. Of the three, Wyoming seems the most likely to achieve seven wins: Virginia, Utah State, Ohio, and Boise State are all winnable OOC games for the Cowboys. In conference, a .500 record is a possibility. Wyoming's tight defense is probably going to be improved in '07, and their star QB, Karsten Sween, won't be so shiney and new.
New Mexico also returns a rising star at QB- Donovan Porterie- but will be building a new offensive line to protect him and Rodney Ferguson, a terrific runningback. Look for the Lobos to start the year slowly.
Colorado State hopes Kyle Bell's return will spur new life into its offense, which went lifeless in the second half last year. Coach Lubick, who is feeling heat, is trying to get more physical play from his team. If he gets it, the Rams will be bowling again in 2007.
Look for Wyoming to place fourth or tie for third in conference, with New Mexico and Colorado State coming in next.
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