Thoughts on the Lobos II

Some thoughts on the New Mexico Lobos’ 45-14 loss at Wisconsin on Saturday:

1. In this cyberspace last week, I flatly stated that the talent gap between Wisconsin and New Mexico was greater than that between New Mexico and Incarnate Word. Upon further review, I believe I was wrong — but by how much, I’m not sure. It’s fun, and fair, to speculate how much better the Lobos might have done had starting quarterback Tevaka Tuioti not left the game with an injury early in the second quarter. That, however, falls into the category of ifs and buts. Tevaka or no Tevaka, the Badgers’ superior personnel on both sides of the ball was going to be decisive in the end. No doubt.
2. Sheriron Jones, in unexpected relief of Tuioti, obviously did not play well. His three turnovers were instrumental in turning a close game into a 31-point laugher. But, if Jones is the starter Saturday against New Mexico State, and if he knows he’s the starter and gets the first-team reps all week, I believe he’ll do well against the Aggies. He’s a talented kid, talented enough to have been signed by Tennessee out of high school, and (from what I heard and read) was solidly in the competition for the starting job with Tuioti and Coltin Gerhart before incurring a hamstring pull that limited his opportunities toward the end of fall camp. One caveat. If neither Tuioti nor Gerhart (foot injury) is available, with only true freshman Trae Hall in reserve, that surely would restrict Jones’ participation in the run game. The quarterback run has in the past been a major feature of offensive coordinator Calvin Magee’s scheme. That would be all the more reason why the Lobos need to find success running between the tackles, something they did, to an extent, in their second-half touchdown drive at Madison.
3. I found it interesting that, for most of the game, UNM played both its outside rush linebackers — Rhashaun Epting and Jordan Flack — together with four DBs and no nickel safety. I’m curious as to whether we’ll see that lineup against NMSU, which will look to pass far more than Wisconsin did. Was this purely situational, or does it mean UNM doesn’t have a nickel that D-coordinator Kevin Cosgrove trusts to make plays?
4. I disagree with those who feel Wisconsin was disrespectful by throwing for the Badgers’ final touchdown of the game with 22 seconds left in the game. Really, so what? It was a 3-yard pass on third-and-goal, not a 60-yard bomb off play action. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst has his team to coach, and UNM coach Bob Davie has his. Davie, asked about that play by the Journal’s Steve Virgen in post-game interviews, said exactly that. Chryst didn’t have a lot to say about the Lobos in his post-game news conference, but did say, regarding UNM’s impressive opening touchdown drive, “Give credit to them. They made some plays.” 
5. Regarding Tuioti’s injury, he took a hard, though clean, shot from Badgers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel a split-second after pitching the ball to Tyrone Owens on the option. Tuioti was in for two more plays, UNM punted, then Jones came in for the next offensive series. Tuioti was clear-headed enough to engage in conversation with a trainer as he left the field, which might be a good sign. But if it’s concussion symptoms from that brain-rattling hit, it’s the second such injury that Tuioti has suffered as a Lobo — the first against New Mexico State last fall. Not a good sign.
6. And now, the season begins. Beat Incarnate Word by 32, lose to Wisconsin by 31, neither result unexpected. Bring on the Aggies.