Now it’s time for the real season to begin.
A week after New Mexico dismantled Football Championship Subdivision member Mississippi Valley State 66-0, the Lobos will get their first real taste of competition when they host Tulsa on Saturday at University Stadium.
Even though it’s still early in the year, a win against Tulsa might define the season for UNM. If the Lobos come away with a victory it will be their first three-game winning streak since 2007. The Lobos also won last year’s season finale against Wyoming.
UNM is a four-point favorite over Tulsa.
“I think, if you look at our schedule, we’ll all probably look back on this game when this season is over and say it’s a pivotal game,” head coach Bob Davie said. “I don’t back away from that, and I’ve known that since I’ve looked at the schedule. I knew this was going to be a big football game.”
Tulsa (1-0) will look to test UNM’s defense with an up-tempo, spread offense. The Golden Hurricane will rely on its fast pace to tire the Lobo defense and make as many plays as possible. In a 47-44 overtime win over Florida Atlantic, Tulsa gained 618 yards of total offense on 86 plays.
UNM (1-0) has prepared all offseason to face these types of offenses. The Lobo defense has had the luxury of facing its own offense, which has also gone to a more up-tempo, no-huddle scheme.
“I can understand why there’s not a lot of respect for us on their end,” Davie said. “I’m sure they’re envisioning how many points they’re going to put up and how many yards they’re going to put up. They’re talented, and we’ve struggled against these types of offenses.”
Pace is not the only thing UNM has to worry about. Tulsa’s offense will try to span the field for big plays regardless of field position. The Golden Hurricane has the weapons to hurt the Lobos everywhere on the field as it returns 10 starters from last year’s 2-10 squad, including quarterback Dane Evans.
Tulsa’s key weapons are at receiver with senior Keyarris Garrett and junior Keevan Lucas. Garrett is coming off a career-game against FAU after a five-reception, 163 yard performance. Lucas was just as dynamic as he racked up 193 yards on ten catches with two scores.
“I’ll be looking forward to them. They’re going to come out four and five wide and are going to test the defensive backs,” cornerback Cranston Jones said. “It’s going to come down to those deep balls that they do throw and those shots that they take. As a DB you have to live for these kinds of games.”
As impressive as Tulsa’s offense was in the season-opener, their defense was less than stellar. The Golden Hurricane gave up 563 total yards of offense, 300 of which came on the ground.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Tulsa’s inability to stop runs plays right into UNM’s strength with its triple-option offense. The Lobos rushed for 360 yards and eight rushing touchdowns without using any triple option against Mississippi Valley State.
“We have a lot of stuff that we wanted to show against a better opponent like Tulsa,” said quarterback Lamar Jordan. “It’s always ‘execute the play regardless of what the play is.’ We have to beat them to the punch.”
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
