The New Mexico Lobos have had issues with their quarterback spot as B.R. Holbrook had chest inflammation during fall camp and missed significant time, and then factor in David Vega who has been suspended indefinitely for being arrested. This leaves freshman Cole Gautsche in the backup spot and one play from taking the field.
Gautsche is expected to play against Southern on Saturday, as well as in every game, and was expected to do so even before it was announced that Vega was suspended from the team.
Head coach Bob Davie announced on Tuesday that he expects Gautsche to play in every game this year ($):
"We were gonna play Cole every game, basically," Davie said at Tuesday's UNM fall sports luncheon. "I don't want to back myself in a corner and say that, but the idea was for Cole Gautsche to play. ... He may play a little bit more now, depending on B.R.'s conditioning; I don't know for sure."
Gautsche is more equipped to run the new pistol offense for New Mexico as he is the best runner out of all of the quarterbacks, and if Davie wants him in every game then he is the quarterback of the future. Playing against Southern, expect Gautsche to get a decent amount of playing time.
Out of high school he was a three-star recruit and rated as the second best player in all of New Mexico. For those who want to see what Gautsche is about, here is some of his high school film:
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