For some college football programs, not having a solid starter at a position is seen as a sign of instability.
Not so at UNM — particularly on defense.
“Any position that has a lot of competition and has quality players, I don’t think that’s a problem spot at all,” head coach Rocky Long said recently. “It might be a problem spot for (the players), because they want to be the starter and play every snap, but for a coach it’s good to have all those extra bodies who you think can play.”
Competition for spots is all part of the team concept that’s pushed by Long and defensive coordinator/associate head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
“We coach in a way that players thrive in that environment,” he said. “And the issue for us is making them understand that the team comes first and obviously they do that. We have very few problems with ego, very few problems with self-worth — players thinking they’re worth more than they are. They just want to get on the field.
“They know there’s three criteria we give them and if they follow those criteria, they’ll play. And we follow through with that.”
Playing third-stringers at any point during a game is a bit unorthodox. But then the Lobos defense isn’t exactly your typical defense.
The unorthodox 3-3-5 defense UNM uses is a complex formation that relies on pressure from the defensive line and linebackers and often single coverage from the defensive backfield.
Then there’s that “Lobo” position — the one that former Lobo and current Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher played. The “Lobo” isn’t a safety nor a linebacker, but is expected to perform well in both functions.
And the safeties — or “Wolf” safety in UNM defensive terminology — are expected to play as cornerbacks would, covering swift wide receivers as proficiently as they might cover a running back or tight end.
With the use of stunts, zone blitzes and coverages as well as using as many as 28 players, UNM’s defense has become one of the most proficient in the Mountain West Conference, as well as the country.
The Lobo defense finished second in the conference and 18th in the nation in total defense in 2001. The Lobos, who finished 17th in total defense in 2000, allowed only 310.8 yards per game. It was the second year in a row that UNM finished in the top 20 in total defense — a first for the football team. Despite that, the Mountain West media didn’t pick a single Lobo for the all-conference pre-season defensive team— something that bothers both Long and Mendenhall.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“I think we praise them enough when they do a good job and we’ve kind of built an identity amongst ourselves,” Mendenhall said. “We pride ourselves on not one individual being perceived to be different or separate or anything else. We play a collective of players. And when you’re playing 22 to 28 players a game within already a team setting, everyone’s just looking to contribute. And that’s all we care about.”
“Wolf” safety Terrell Golden echoed Mendenhall’s feeling about the defense’s unity and the team in general.
“Of course it hurts to be ignored (by the media) because we have guys that are just as good or better than players on the other teams, but we just don’t get the recognition,” Golden said.
The Lobos may need more fuel than normal, due to the defense losing some major contributors to graduation. Impact players such as defensive end Brian Johnson, linebacker Gary Davis, cornerback Stephen Persley and safety Scott Gerhardt are all gone. But the defense has a wealth of depth at all positions.
The defensive line, in particular, is deep. The line has a solid core, with junior left end Daniel Kegler, senior nose tackle Hebrews Josue and junior D.J. Renteria, but Mendenhall said even third-string players could see significant action.
“We have great depth on the defensive line,” he said. “We have up to nine players who’ll contribute there. We have up to nine players who’ll contribute at linebacker and up to nine at safety. This is the most depth we’ve had yet.”
Linebacker is a bit of a question, with only one returning starter in senior middle linebacker Charles Moss. Joining Moss are sophomore right linebacker Nick Speegle, a former walk-on who was a surprise standout during the 2001 season, and junior Shannon Kincaid.
Mendenhall said the competition at the left linebacker position is particularly heavy, with projected starter Kincaid being challenged by junior transfer Daniel Gawronski.
“That’s a close battle,” he said. “It could change weekly, it could change daily. At every position there’s a great competition going on.”
The one cornerback whose standing is solid is senior David Crockett, who has secured his spot in the starting lineup. Left cornerback is a competition among four players, with senior Desmar Black entering preseason practice as the starter.
The second “Wolf” safety position and the “Lobo” are also hotly contested spots, Long said. Senior David Hall and junior Brandon Ratcliff will battle for a starting role, and sophomore Josh Bazinet, another former walk-on, could see playing time.
At the “Lobo” position, four players are battling for playing time, with junior Fola Fashola and Sidney Wiley being the two most likely to start.
Even with all the competition, Long said the team’s heavy use of substitutions would guarantee that playing time for more than just the two starters.
Overall, UNM’s defense could end up equaling or topping its top-20 performance in 2001. With the snub from the Moutnain West media, this squad of no-names may well make a name for itself collectively.
“We’ve been in the top 20 in the last two years and no one really knows who we are. And I’d just as soon it stay like that,” Mendenhall said.
