North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report
8/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 21, 2002
NEW MEXICO (0-0) vs. NC STATE (0-0) in Black Coaches Association Bowl
DATE: Saturday, August 24, 2002
TIME: Kickoff: 4:38 p.m. (EDT) at Carter Finley Stadium (51,500)
RADIO: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network. AIRTIME: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)
TELEVISION: Fox Sports Net
OPPONENT--New Mexico has improved in each of the last four years under head coach, Rocky Long, a former UNM quarterback. With a 6-5 campaign last year and a fourth place finish in the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos broke through with their first winning season since 1997, but failed to advance to post-season play. The goal this year is to improve on that record and earn a spot in a bowl game. It appears the Lobos may have the material to make that dream come true.
The New Mexico defense has been one of the nation's best in recent years. It earned a top-20 ranking in total defense in each of the last two seasons. Last year, the Lobos run defense was ranked fifth in the NCAA allowing a meager 87.4 yards a game. Duplicating those numbers may be difficult, but not impossible. UNM lost five seniors to graduation who were stellar performers. That group included four of the top seven tacklers and the team leader in interceptions, cornerback Stephen Persley (6). Replacing Persley is a big concern, but the other corner, senior David Crockett, is solid. It appears that 5-9, 185 pound senior Desmar Black will start opposite Crockett. Injuries have prevented Black from seeing any significant playing time since the 1999 season when he started 11 games at safety.
At linebacker, a good nucleus returns. Charles Moss was the Lobos number-two tackler with 71 stops while Nick Speegle, played well enough to earn Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News. Four junior college linebackers were brought in to provide depth and make an impact in the Lobos 3-4 (sometimes 3-3-5) scheme.
UNM also went the JC route for depth in its defensive line, adding two players. The defensive anchor up front is 5-11, 280 pound senior nose tackle, Hebrews Josue, who started 11 games last year. Defensive ends, Dan Kegler and D.J Renteria combined for eight starts a year ago and made significant contributions. The Lobos like to gamble and blitz a lot and have been compared to Mississippi State's defense in the variety of ways in which they line up.
Offensively, New Mexico is solid at quarterback. Junior, Casey Kelly (6-3, 193), began last season as a back up, but became a leader by mid-season. The one-time walk-on started the last seven games, threw for more than 1,500 yards, and guided the Lobos to a 5-2 record down the stretch. Behind Kelly, the UNM offense averaged more than 31 points and 400 yards of total offense a game. He also proved he could throw the long ball as five of his eight touchdown passes went for 35 yards or more. However, Kelly's back up, senior Justin Millea, has no major college playing experience.
Kelly has a host of capable receivers as targets, including the top two pass catchers from a year ago Dwight Counter and Joe Manning. Counter (6-2, 193, Jr.) hauled in 43 passes for 774 yards and 4 touchdowns while Manning caught 26 passes for 482 yards and 3 TDs. Last year, UNM passed for only 186 yards a game, but ran for 190 yards a contest.
Along with receiver, the offensive line is probably the Lobos strongest position in terms of depth and experience. UNM is huge across the offensive front with guards Claude Terrell (6-3, 330, So.) and Calvin McDonald (6-4, 323, Jr.) the biggest. Two starters return including Terrell, a freshman All-America last season, and right tackle Jason Lenzmeier (6-5, 312, Jr.). Another returning starter, center Rashad McClure (6-3, 303, Sr.), quit the team at the start of training camp after learning of his demotion to second team.
The Lobos lost three key running backs to graduation and they're looking for someone to step up at tailback. It could be Tony Frazier (5-6, 182) or DonTrell Moore (5-11, 211), both redshirt freshmen, or senior Quincy Wright (5-10, 195). Wright is the only one of the three with any playing experience and may be the fastest. He was clocked at 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Last season, Wright carried the ball 14 times for an average of 11.7 yards per rush, so he has big play potential.
Another area of concern for New Mexico is on special teams in the punting game. Matt Goldstein, a sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State, is listed as the starter. Goldstein, according to the UNM media guide, has never punted in a college game. He will also handle kickoffs. Sophomore Wes Zunker, will kick extra points and field goals. Last season, Zunker was called on to kick field goals from beyond 42 yards. He was 2-4, including a 51-yarder he nailed in his first career attempt against UTEP.
Like NC State, New Mexico can make big plays on special teams. The Lobos blocked four punts last season and have rejected nine since the start of the 2000 campaign. Four of the blocks have been returned for scores during that stretch.
INJURIES--NC State: PK Adam Kiker- Doubtful; back spasms; CB A.J Davis-Out; fractured fibula; WR Dovonte Edwards-Out; knee sprain; DT Dwayne Herndon-Questionable; ankle sprain. New Mexico: RB DonTrell Moore-Probable; strained knee; TE Brian Beaty-Questionable; concussion; LB Dan Gawronski-Questionable; ankle.
