Do New Mexico Lobos Have Enough Depth for Bowl Game?

Offense

Junior quarterback Cole Gautsche will obviously be the centerpiece of the offense because of his athletic ability, but Davie has a decision to make if he wants to pass more. Gautsche faced injury issues last year, only completed 45 percent of his passes, and only threw for 639 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior Clayton Mitchem is better for a passing offense after completing close to 60 percent of his passes last year, despite only 81 attempts. Davie will probably use both this year.

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One of the reasons Gautsche will be needed is due to the questions facing the running game with the loss of 1,100-yard rusher Kasey Carrier. Gautsche had 777 yards and 8 touchdowns. This should be senior Crusoe Gongbay’s year to himself to become a star at the position, after having 592 yards and 6 touchdowns in limited action last year. Together, those two should make for a very solid running game, and Jhurell Presley and Teriyon Gipson combined for 493 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, so both will provide depth. Carrier’s departure shouldn’t mean much with the weapons coming back.

At receiver, everybody returns, but somebody needs to throw them the ball. This is a valuable asset when it comes to Davie’s desire to pass the ball more, but all of the guys are unproven, despite experience. Yes, it is a paradox, but there are three returning starters, and none of them reached 300 receiving yards last year. Junior Marquis Bundy has the most potential, standing at 6’4″ 200 pounds, after catching 19 passes for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has a very good frame to be able to bail Gautsche out of broken plays if Gautsche wants to use his mobility, and he’ll provide a nice safety blanket for Mitchem when he’s in. Senior Jeric Magnant also had 19 catches that went for 294 yards and a touchdown, and he’ll be the leader of the group. Junior Carlos Wiggins had 13 catches for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns and will be a valuable slot receiver at 5’8″. Tight end Andrew Aho will be a loss, but junior Reece White has experience at the position after 4 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Tyler Duncan had 5 catches for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns, and sophomore receiver Dameon Gamblin could burst onto the scene this year as well. There are definitely some weapons at the receiver position to make an impact, but how well they perform will depend upon the efficiency at the quarterback position.

The offensive line took a hit with the losses of Center Dillon Farrell, left tackle Darryl Johnson, and guard Calvin McDowney. Farrell and

Sep 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Cole Gautsche (8) carries the ball on a twelve yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson played the two most important positions on the line and were also the most experienced players on the line, so their losses are huge. However, senior guard LaMar Bratton has plenty of experience as a three-year starter, and junior tackle Johnny Vizcaino started last year. Also, replacing McDowney at guard will be senior Jamal Price, and he has experience with 13 starts as well, so the drop-off there shouldn’t be a problem. And replacing Farrell at center is junior Garrett Adcock, who has 8 games of starting experience and should fill the void just fine. At left tackle, though, Dillon Romine has big shoes to fill. If he can fill the void, there’s a possibility the unit could be better than last year, and at 6’7″ 290 pounds, Romine has that chance. There are six other guys in the unit to provide depth, so the biggest questions facing the line are Romine’s ability at tackle and if everybody can stay healthy.

The offense as a whole took some serious losses this year, but the biggest questions facing it will be the passing game and the line. If Davie can develop a passing game as he wishes, and the line can withstand the loss of three starters, then the offense should be more balanced and even better than it was last year. Let’s not forget offense overall has not been a problem, with one of the strongest rushing attacks in the country. That should be back this year, as long as the line holds up. If a passing game can develop, watch out.