Are you ready for some Cherry and Silver Football?
We are 17 days out from kickoff for the University of New Mexico Lobo football team, as they get ready to open up the season here at home versus the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, and let me tell you something I am pumped. You may be saying to yourself pumped, why? I’ll give you a few reasons why…Jhurell Pressley, Teriyon Gipson, Romell Jordon, these guys are what make up the core of a prolific running game UNM has, as well a slot receiver in Jordon who feels very confident going into this season. Then there is quarterback Lamar Jordon and newcomer and Juco qb Austin Apodaca, who both are giving it there all now in practice, which is a healthy competition brewing something always good to have as no position is just given, it must be earned and developed and maintained, and while the running game is the bread and butter for this offense be on the lookout for some passing to be mixed in to throw defenses off a bit, from all accounts it’s looking good. Speaking of defense, here is where reality sets in, and could quite possibly put a damper on the season, or could it? Last year there was some improvements on areas such as the secondary etc., but what killed UNM was the tackling or lack thereof. I believe that some of last season’s improvements were more significant than meets the eye and this year we will see a difference in how they play. They may have some lapses at times but Coach Davie has made it clear, of the importance on how stopping the run, solid tackling and turnovers are going to be paramount in a season he predicts they will be bowl bound. Not to sound overly optimistic, but I believe him, there is a buzz around this team, and rather than to say “oh they will be improved”, from what I’m hearing from media members, the team and the fan base overall is very very positive, I’ll take that any day over the past few tough seasons. Running back Teriyon Gipson put it best on an interview he did with JJ Buck “we are hungry!” Well Mr. Gipson so are we!
