TEAM PROFILE: New Mexico Lobos

New Mexico Lobos 8-4

Key Players:

WR- Marcus Smith: explosive, 355 bench, good KR too, improved routes and hands
6-2, 214 SR (Cal)- 1st MWest 07’, HM MWest 06’

OT- Devin Clark: great pass blocker, 405 bench, physical
6-4, 312 SR (Arz)- 1st MWest 07’

RB- Rodney Ferguson: punishing, delivers the blow, improved speed, born in Flint,Mich
6-0, 229 JR (NMex)- 1st MWest 07’, 1st MWest 06’

CB- DeAndre Wright: good KR, great cover man, 315 bench, best cover man in MWest
5-11, 193 JR (Md)- 1st MWest 07’, 2nd MWest 06’

DE- Tyler Donaldson: 1 of quickest DL in MWest, can play multiple postions on line
6-4, 226 SR (Ga)- 1st MWest 07’, 2nd MWest 06’

C- Vince Natali: understudy of Minn Viking Ryan Cook, 400 bench, qb of o-line
6-2, 308 SR (Ill)- 1st MWest 07’

K- John Sullivan: came back from torn ACL in plant leg, very determined, great will
5-10, 152 SR (Cal)- 3rd ALL AMERICAN 07’, 1st MWest 07’

DE- Michael Tuhoy: high motor, mean streak, 1 of the best pass rushers in NM history
6-2, 250 SR (Cal)- 2nd MWest 07’, MWest

CB- Glover Quin: sure tackler who likes to hit, 335 bench, good cover man
6-0, 203 JR (Miss)- HM MWest 07’

SS- O.J. Swift: hardest hitter on team, flys around the field, great in run support
5-9, 196 SR (Fla)- HM MWest 07’

P- Jordan Scott: eliminates returns with his placement punting
6-0, 195 SR (Ohio)- HM MWest 07’

Watch Out For:
QB- Donovan Porterie: smooth, quick delivery pocket passer, calm, 7-2 in start2finish games
6-3, 206 SO (Tex)

Team Info:

Passing Off: 222.2 yrds/g, 59th in NCAA
-don’t throw for too many TDs
-get great pass protection
-only have 2 real targets

Rushing Off: 136.9 yrds/g, 79th in NCAA
-much better rushing team than their rank indicates
-very physical
-if they have a lead in the 4th qtr, they will wear you out

Passing Def: 202.4 yrds/g, 23rd in NCAA
-lock down corners take away deep balls
-great pass rush from multiple angles
-hard hitters as well
BIGGEST STRENGTH

Rushing Def: 129.2 yrds/g, 34th in NCAA
-senior LBs must play big
-good support from Swift in secondary
KEY TO GAME

Special Teams:
Kicking- A+
Punting- A
Return Game- B+

Key Stats:
3rd Down Conv- 73/200 (36%) vs. 64/185 (35%)
Penalties- 82 for 653 (54.4per) vs. 69 for 575 (47.9per)
Turnovers- 23 vs. 24 (+1)
TOP- 30:07 vs. 29:53

Head Coach: Rocky Long, 10th season- 60-60, 0-5 Bowls
-former New Mexico QB and safety
-schools all-time winingest coach, although the definition of average
-teams just don’t seem prepared for bowls, although they played 3 PAC10 teams from 97-03, lost to San Jose St last year, navy year before

*how this team will perform is a giant question mark
*great pass protection
*defense takes advantage of speed and quickness with multiple stunts
*should have great special teams advantage
*2 loses by 65 pts combines in last 5 games (Utah and TCU)