NMSU’s Allen eager to give it his best shot in final year
Graduate transfer from Arizona happy to be ‘home’
LAS CRUCES — It didn’t take Calvin Allen long to get comfortable in Las Cruces.
The Albuquerque native has been here before, battling the Mayfield and Las Cruces High football teams as a member of the La Cueva Bears from 2009-12. Now Allen is hoping to give Las Cruces fans something to cheer about as a defensive lineman for the New Mexico State Aggies.
It’s a one-shot opportunity. Allen will be a graduate senior for NMSU this season after transferring from the University of Arizona.
But Allen and Aggies head coach Doug Martin agree that plugging the 6-foot-6, 285-pound run-stopper into the middle of the Aggies’ defensive front amounts to a good fit.
“The scheme here is similar to what I learned at Arizona,” Allen said, “and I like it. They were putting a new system in (at Arizona)
that didn’t really fit my skill set as well. I felt like I needed a change, and New Mexico State seems like a place I can help out and make some plays.”
He’s even comfortable with Las Cruces’ summer weather conditions.
“No big deal there,” he said. “After Tucson, I can take the heat.”
Martin and defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani are still getting to know what Allen can do. But they have an obvious need for run-stuffing interior linemen after NMSU allowed 244 rushing yards and 496.7 total yards per game last season. Those totals ranked 10th and 11th, respectively, in the 11-team Sun Belt Conference. Challenge accepted, Allen said. “We know we have to be better against the run,” Allen said. “That’s one of our biggest goals. At Arizona my whole job was pure run-stop, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to help.” Martin is equally confident. “We didn’t have Calvin for spring ball,” Martin said, “so he started off a little bit behind in the summer. But considering where he started, the level he’s at now is pretty remarkable. He could be a starter for us, and he’ll play a lot of snaps even if he’s not.”
NMSU’s familiar scheme and defensive needs alone might not have been enough to lure Calvin Allen IV to Las Cruces. His father, Calvin Allen III, also played a role.
The elder Allen played football at rival New Mexico, but the Aggies brought a little family leverage to bear. Allen III is a close friend of NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia and even served in his wedding.
“Yeah, that was part of it,” Allen said of his decision to play in Las Cruces. “My dad and (Moccia) were both on the same page on that one. It was my decision, but it will be nice for my family just having a threehour drive to come watch me play.”
Allen admittedly is energized by the prospect of playing more snaps in 2017. He appeared in 23 games over three seasons at Arizona, but his playing time dwindled last season. He’s determined to take on more this fall.
“I think everyone here kind of has that mentality,” Allen said. “Everyone was really focused and worked hard over the summer. We’re dialed in.”
Allen said he’s looking forward to a Sept. 9 homecoming when NMSU travels to Albuquerque to play the Lobos. His last trip to University Stadium ended well enough when Arizona defeated UNM 45-37 in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl.
The former La Cueva Bear understands things will be different this time, however. He believes three seasons of Pac-12 football will serve him well at NMSU, but Allen knows he still must earn his keep in southern New Mexico.
“I just have to work hard and show everyone what I can do,” he said. “I’m willing to give advice when needed, but I’m new here. I’m still learning, too.”