At this point in the season the New Mexico Lobos are the equivalent of a quasi-successful salesman who is on the verge of a mental breakdown. The short version of that is how the Lobos are trying to follow in the shoes of the 2008 Washington Huskies by going 0-12.
During Mountain West media days new head coach Mike Locksley -former Illinois offensive coordinator and renowned recruiter-was boasting that the Lobos are going to compete this year for the conference title. He also was to bring in an offense that took the Illini to a Rose Bowl appearance in 2007.
Good one coach, we all need a chuckle.
Some believed they they would be just below decent with maybe four of five wins, the main reasoning because the 2008 season was marred by injuries and was just one year removed from a bowl win. This season so far has been a complete mess with an 0-4 record and on the year they have only four offensive touchdowns all year. The Lobos also are most likely not going to extend their 1,000 yard rusher streak to eight seasons.
The quarterback position is in shambles as QB Donovan Porterie -- who is talented-- is not performing well in the new spread attack. Part of that has to do with Porterie not being fully confident in his right knee from which he tore the ACL last year and missed eight games.. The easy answer to blame the Lobos for not having the right talent around to run Locksley offense.
The offense at its peak should look like this:
Instead New Mexico is looking like this:
The stats for New Mexico do not lie and in yards per game, per play, and points per game have gone in the wrong direction over the past three years in offense and defense.
New Mexico Offense
| Year |
Yards Per Game |
Yards Per Play |
Points Per Game |
| 2007 |
372.1 |
5.1 | 24.7 |
| 2008 |
340.4 | 4.9 | 21.1 |
| 2009 |
262 | 4.7 | 11.5 |
New Mexico Defense
| Year |
Yards Per Game |
Yards Per Play |
Points Per Game |
| 2007 |
319.9 |
4.6 |
19.0 |
| 2008 |
335.3 | 4.9 | 22.8 |
| 2009 |
421 | 5.1 |
35.5 |
Those numbers decreased from the Lobos height in 2007 to becoming dreadful so far in 2009; nationally New Mexico is 118th in total offense and 107th in total defense. Trying to find a win on their schedule is getting pretty tough with only three home games left on the year. Those home games are against UNLV, Colorado State, and BYU most likely all loses; UNLV is the best shot at a home win but even that is unlikely. The best chance for a wins is the road game at San Diego State on Halloween.
Not to pour salt on the wound but the Lobos do have a coach that recently assaulted one of his own, and received little punishment.
So, good luck with the rest of the season New Mexico fans!