A recurring issue with UNM (2-4, 0-2 Mountain West) is missed tackles, resulting in big plays for opposing offenses. Take the Lobos’ 24-14 loss to San Diego State on Friday: UNM allowed touchdowns runs of 93, 49 and 27 yards. Those scores were mostly the result of missed tackles.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said the reason for the miscues is because the Lobos aren’t using proper technique.
“The missed tackle thing is that you have to get into a football position and be in control. The tackles that we’ve missed we’ve been out of control,” Cosgrove said. “It’s something that we’ve worked on and we’ll continue to work on it.”
Another problem the past two games has been on the offensive side of the ball where UNM has gone away from its triple option offense and instead relied on big plays for yardage. That philosophy worked two weeks ago when the Lobos won at 21-9 at UTSA thanks to runs of 71 and 61 yards by running back Jhurell Pressley and quarterback Lamar Jordan, respectively.
However, when UNM decided to replace signal-caller Cole Gautsche with Jordan on Friday against San Diego State, the offense remained stagnant. Jordan did have a 45-yard touchdown pass but that was the only big play of the night.
UNM rushed for just 152 yards versus SDSU, but still ranks ninth in the country in rushing yards, averaging 294 per game.
“Inconsistent, that’s how I feel about it (the offense). Disappointed that we’ve had the inconsistency we’ve had. It is what it is,” offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse said. “We’re not going to overreact and get too high with the highs and too low with the lows. We’ve done a better job recently of protecting the ball.”
The troubles have been more glaring at home where the Lobos have gone 0-4. UNM has played some stout competition at home including then-No. 17 Arizona State, the defending Mountain West champions Fresno State and an SDSU team that has made four consecutive bowl games.
Despite that tough slate, the Lobos’ only lopsided defeat came against the Sun Devils, a 58-23 loss. UNM has lost by at least a touchdown at home.
“I’m frustrated because we haven’t been able to win. We’ve played closer games. I think we’ve closed the gaps on some teams. We’ve lost to some good teams, particularly at home,” Davie said. “There’s part of being realistic. There’s part being brutally honest with yourself. But there’s also a big part being frustrated right now to be 2-4 because some things have happened to be repeated things.”
Cornerbacks down
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Davie said during Tuesday’s weekly media luncheon that the Lobos will have at least three cornerbacks out with injuries against Air Force: redshirt freshman Isaiah Brown (hamstring), senior SaQwan Edwards (possible concussion) and sophomore Jadon Boatright (groin).
The two healthy cornerbacks listed for Saturday’s game against Air Force are junior Cranston Jones and senior Donnie Duncan. Safety Devonta Tabannah will move to corner and redshirt freshman Bijon Parker might play his first action of the season because of these injuries.
Both Jones and Duncan each had an interception last game against SDSU.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.