Boise State football scouting report: New Mexico
Facts and figures
Where: Albuquerque, N.M.
Founded: 1889
Enrollment: 27,353
Colors: Cherry red and silver
Nickname: Lobos
Record: 5-4, 4-2 Mountain West (4-8 last season; 0-6 all-time vs. Boise State)
Last game: Def. Utah State 14-13 in Albuquerque on Saturday
COACH
Bob Davie, 61, is in his fourth season with the Lobos (16-30 record). He went 35-25 at Notre Dame from 1997-01. Between the jobs, he spent a decade as a broadcaster for ESPN/ABC.
OFFENSE
A remnant of days past, but updated for the modern era, the Lobos run a triple option-based system that tests an opponents’ patience and preparation. New Mexico is 13th in the FBS in rushing (235.4 ypg) and 122nd in passing (129.8 ypg).
Junior running back Teriyon Gipson, sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan and senior running back Jhurell Pressley have rushed for 588, 500 and 469 yards, respectively. Jordan has taken a majority of the snaps at QB (49-of-90 passing for 696 yards, four TDs, two INTs), but junior Austin Apodaca often comes into the game in passing situations (42-of-84 passes for 472 yards, one TD, four INTs). Junior wide receiver Dameon Gamblin has nearly a third of the team’s receptions, hauling in 29 passes for 374 yards.
DEFENSE
New Mexico shifted from a 3-4 base to a more unique 3-3-5, utilizing a RUSH end similar to Boise State’s hybrid STUD. The fifth defensive back operates similar to a nickel and is called the WOOF. The shift has paid dividends as the Lobos are allowing 26.3 ppg after allowing 35.9 ppg in 2014.
Junior linebacker Dakota Cox, who was averaging 12.9 tackles per game before a knee injury last season against Boise State, again leads the team in tackles with 67. The Lobos have 24 sacks, third-most in the Mountain West, led by junior linebacker Maurice Daniels (5.5). Sophomore linebacker Kimmie Carson (54 tackles, seven for loss) is suspended for the first half Saturday because of a targeting penalty he drew against Utah State. Safety Markel Byrd and WOOF Lee Crosby lead with two interceptions apiece.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior Carlos Wiggins holds the Mountain West career record with five kickoff return TDs. He is averaging 29.5 yards per return, sixth-best in the nation, along with 7.7 yards per punt return. Zack Rogers and Jason Sanders are a combined 4-for-9 on field goals. Sanders is one of the nation’s best kickoff artists (70.2 percent on touchbacks). Rogers averages 41.2 yards per punt, tied with Boise State’s Sean Wale (60th FBS).
DID YOU KNOW?
In May, the UNM School of Law published a special issue of its New Mexico Law Review examining the legal issues related to the acclaimed AMC show “Breaking Bad,” which was filmed in Albuquerque.
New Mexico at Boise State
8:15 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU
This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 11:38 PM with the headline "Boise State football scouting report: New Mexico."