Long expects changes in Lobo offense
It’s a homecoming of sorts for SDSU coach, others in program
Rocky Long acknowledged to San Diego-area media this week that coming back to UNM Saturday is “another conference game, so it’s very important.”
Interestingly, he made it sound like just another game, and little more, even though it’s a return to his alma mater, where he was once quarterback and head coach.
“(UNM has) come back from a bad loss last week and they have switched some things up,” said Long, the San Diego State head football coach, referencing the Lobos’ switch back to Coltin Gerhart as starter in place of Sheriron Jones at quarterback.
“We’re just guessing, but the offense is going to change a little bit, too. So on defense, we have to prepare for two different types of quarterbacks. On offense, we don’t know exactly how they’ll line up.”
UNM coach Bob Davie has suggested the Lobos will need to revert to more of the triple-option with Gerhart that they largely abandoned with Jones in order not to expose the then-lone healthy quarterback to as many debilitating hits.
Meanwhile, not only for Long, but it’s homecoming for several members of the 6-2 Aztecs program when it faces the 3-5 Lobos.
Besides Long, on his staff are defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, a former La Cueva and UNM standout. There is also secondary/special teams coach Richard Sanchez (New Mexico State, 1989-90).
And there are two Aztec freshmen Long and his staff snatched out of the metro area — former Manzano quarterback Jordan Byrd and Rio Rancho alum Keshawn Banks, an SDSU defensive lineman.