SEEKING A RESTART

Lobos plan return to Mountain West contention after sluggish 2017

The momentum that New Mexico’s football team built in 2015 and 2016 came crashing to a halt in 2017.

The Lobos failed to build off back-to-back Gildan New Mexico Bowl appearances, including a share of the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division title and a bowl win in 2016.

The energy just wasn’t there when UNM did not take care of the ball, became a bit too predictable on offense and fell to a 3-9 finish.

Coach Bob Davie, in his seventh season, has hit the reset button with what he calls a “tweaking” of the triple-option offense that was the foundation of that momentum built two years ago.

Calvin Magee, the Lobos’ first-year offensive coordinator from Arizona, is on board, bringing in run-pass-option concepts he gained from working with spread-offense innovator Rich Rodriguez.

Davie wants to have more players contribute on offense, while still using the triple-option.

He’s hoping to find a leader at quarterback. Coltin Gerhart, Tevaka Tuioti and Sheriron Jones have been battling to become the starter for the Lobos’ home opener against Incarnate Word on Sept. 1.

The next week, UNM travels to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers, a consensus top-10 team. That’s an example of the Lobos’ tough schedule, one that features West Division defending champion Fresno State, West contender San Diego State, and Mountain Division defending champion Boise State coming to Dreamstyle Stadium.

After Wisconsin, the Lobos know they will face rival New Mexico State in a pivotal game on the Aggies’ turf.

UNM will look to its defense for stability. With seven starters returning and defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove in his seventh season, Davie believes this is shaping to be the best defense in his time with the Lobos.

Senior linebacker Alex Hart leads the way. For the second straight year he was named team captain by his peers.

Aaron Jenkins, a senior offensive lineman, is the Lobos’ other captain.

UNM will do its best to replace placekicker Jason Sanders (Dolphins) and punter Corey Bojorquez (Patriots), as both landed on NFL rosters.

Tyson Dyer, a 26-year-old sophomore from Australia, has taken on the punting duties, as well as being the team’s holder.

The battle for kicker was wide open through the majority of preseason practices.

There has been excitement building for receivers Delane Hart-Johnson and Elijah Lilly, who is also a dangerous return man.