1nside the Numb3rs: New Mexico
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The upcoming clash between the New Mexico Lobos and the Texas Tech Red Raiders
will feature a program in turmoil and a team in distress. The Lobos are the
former, and that's much worse than the latter.
Mike Locksley, New Mexico's first-year head coach, has had anything but a dream
honeymoon in the Duke City. Rather, he's been duking it out with an assistant
coach (J.B. Gerald) when not fending off
sexual harassment charges. Compounding matters immensely, the Lobos are off to
an 0-4 start, and lost to bitter rival New Mexico State last weekend for the
first time in six seasons.
Predictably, the statistical picture is not a pretty one for New Mexico.
Opponents are almost doubling up the Lobos in rushing yardage, averaging 204
clicks on the ground as opposed to 104 for UNM.
The Lobos fare slightly better in the passing yardage rubric, but still trail
the opposition 159 to 204 yards per contest. New Mexico quarterbacks have also
thrown five interceptions, while opposing signal-callers have tossed only one.
UNM's third-down conversion rate is an abysmal 19-percent. Opponents have sacked
the Lobo quarterbacks 14 times. New Mexico has scored only six points all season
in the third quarter.
The misery extends to the special teams where the Lobos are surrendering kickoff
returns at a 25-per rate, while gaining only 16 yards per return themselves. UNM
averages only 4 yards per punt return and allows 12 yards per return.
The "experts" in Las Vegas have listed Texas Tech as a 36-point favorite this
weekend.
Stat Leaders
Quarterbacks Donovan Porterie and B.R. Holbrook have seen action and neither
have fared particularly well. Porterie completes 62-percent of his passes, but
for only 132 yards per contest. He's also thrown three interceptions to one
touchdown. Holbrook has thrown 23 passes, two of which have been intercepted.
New Mexico's workhorse is Demond Dennis who has carried the ball 42 times for
200 yards and averages a respectable 4.8 yards per tote. UNM's most interesting
rushing option, however, is 240-pound Dallas native James Wright who averages 19
yards per carry on nine attempts. That's right-19 yards per carry.
New Mexico has no receivers that really stand out. The leading wideout is
Ty Kirk who has caught 13 passes for 152 yards and averages 12 yards per catch.
Running backs A.J. Butler and Demond Dennis are UNM's second and third leading
receivers respectively. Victor James averages 13 yards per reception on nine
catches. It is worth noting that New Mexico has only one aerial touchdown in
four games.
Linebacker Carmen Messina leads Lobo tacklers with 57 stops and three tackles
for losses. Fellow 'backer Tray Hardaway is a distant second with 36 tackles. He
also has a fumble return for 92 yards. The Lobos actually boast a pair of good
pass rushers in Jaymar Latchison and Jonathan Rainey. Latchison, a native of New
York, has 2.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. Rainey boasts an impressive
5.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. He may be the most talented player on the
New Mexico roster.