New Mexico Lobos
Overall Rank: #102
#11 Mountain West
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Coach Bob Davie is attempting to rebuild New Mexico. His first year did not go all bad. The Lobos did pick up four wins in September and October before losing the last six games of the year. But now Coach Davie has some rebuilding to do. The non-existent passing attack must improve and the defense returns just three starters.
2012 Record: (4-9, 1-7)
2012 Bowl: None
Coach: Bob Davie (4-9 at New Mexico, 39-34 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Bob DeBesse
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Mills
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Kasey Carrier, RB, 1,469 yards
Passing: Cole Gautsche, QB, 222 yards
Receiving: Carlos Wiggins, WR, 83 yards
Tackles: Dallas Bollema, LB, 89
Sacks: Jacori Greer, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Dallas Bollema, LB, 3
Other Key Returnees: G Garrett Adcock, G LaMar Bratton, C Dillon Farrell, CB Tim Foley, OT Darryl Johnson, LB Rashad Rainey
Key Losses: CB Destry Berry, OT Korian Chambers, DT Reggie Ellis, LB Joseph Harris, QB B.R. Holbrook, WR Ty Kirk, S Matt Raymer, TE Lucas Reed, LB Joe Stoner, DT Ugo Uzodinma, S Freddy Young
Strengths:
New Mexico ranked fifth in the country in rushing last year with over 300 yards per game on the ground. That is impressive considering the passing game was so awful and everybody knew that running back Kasey Carrier was going to get the ball. Carrier is back for his senior season after rushing for 1,469 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. Sophomore Jhurell Pressley is also a capable back who should be an even better change of pace back with a year of experience under his belt. With Garrett Adcock, LaMar Bratton, Dillon Farrell and Darryl Johnson back to man the offensive line, there is no reason to think the ground game will be any less efficient in 2013. Cole Gautsche did plenty of damage on the ground as well. The quarterback took over the starting job late in the year and ended up rushing for 760 yards and seven scores. If Gautsche is under center for the entire season, New Mexico will be even better on the ground than they were last season.
Weaknesses:
The Lobos defense was decent last year, but there are a lot of holes to fill. Linebackers Dallas Bollema and Rashad Rainey and end Jacori Greer will have to lead the way. Bollema led the Lobos with 89 tackles last year and Greer led the way with 5.0 sacks. This is not a bad group to build around, but the lack of experience is going to be a problem. Payton Hightower, Dominic Twitty and junior college transfer Brett Bower will have to step up their game and join Greer on the front line. The secondary is where the biggest problem will be. The unit gave up nearly 270 yards per game in the air and now they have to replace corners Destry Berry and DeShawn Mills and safeties Matt Raymer and Freddy Young. While New Mexico may be able to cut through the opposition on the ground, their opposition may have an even easier time beating the Lobos in the air.
The Bottom Line:
The key for New Mexico this year will be the play of Gautsche. The Lobos must find a way to balance their offense. Carrier is going to get a lot of yards, but it would be a good sign if this group did not average over 300 yards per game on the ground. That would mean the passing offense is actually doing something. New Mexico averaged less than 69 yards passing. Gautsche completed just 13 passes in 31 attempts as a freshman. It is easy to see why the Lobos kept going to the ground, but the hope is Gautsche can develop into a consistent passer. If he does, this team may exceed their lowly expectations.
Projected Bowl: None
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 301.31 (5th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 68.85 (119, 10)
Total Offense: 370.15 (87, 7)
Scoring Offense: 25.77 (78, 7)
Rushing Defense: 174.92 (73, 4)
Pass Defense: 269.23 (103, 10)
Total Defense: 444.15 (97, 8)
Scoring Defense: 30.23 (78, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.85 (17, 3)
Sacks: 1.62 (85, 6)
Sacks Allowed: 0.92 (9, 3)
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