Aug. 3—Outcomes don’t matter in (early) August. Not when it’s the first week of full pads, with new players on both sides of the ball still learning how to go full speed. Not when only 26 of New Mexico’s 110 players have jersey numbers.
And not when the Lobos are closer to the first day of camp than their opener against Montana State. Some had that idea — process over results — squarely in their sights when asked one question after UNM’s first scrimmage:
Who won?
“Right now, we’re not focused on the outcomes, we’re focused on the process,” wide receiver Shawn Miller said Saturday. “Everybody gonna have an opinion, but right now, (we’re) just focused on the process. You know me, offensive guy, I’m a little biased.”
Or a process guy?
“Process guy,” he nodded. “Focus on the process.”
Others, predictably, leaned into a more partisan approach.
“You know I’m gonna always say defense,” safety Christian Ellis laughed.
UNM went live for its first of two live scrimmages on Saturday and whether one chalks it up as a win for the offense, defense or team as a whole, here are some takeaways, news and notes:
Scrimmage observations
The media viewing window covered only the first 20 or so minutes of Saturday’s scrimmage, so figuring out what actually happened was more or less on the players. Running back Andrew Henry providedthe most detailed summary of any player surveyed by the Journal:
“I feel like early in the week, the offense was kicking the defense’s tail,” he said, “and the defense stepped up today and showed us that they’re just as good, or even better than we are. There were a lot of big moments where they were making stops — had us kind of quiet at the beginning.
“But, you know, that’s good. They were winning. We were in the backseat a little bit, but we strapped our pads on the same way this morning. And then (we) got a lot of back and forth.”
I can corroborate much of his account: the first 15 to 20 minutes of the scrimmage felt more in favor of the defense. There was a long catch and run from wide receiver Ryan Davis to set up the one touchdown we did see — quarterback Devon Dampier hitting wide receiver Caleb Medford in the corner of the end zone. Good throw, good route, good catch.
“Got all the time in the world back there!” Dampier yelled on the sidelines after.
And while personnel shuffling changes things, it did not, in fact, appear that the offense had all the time in the world. There was a batted pass at the line of scrimmage on third down. A monster play from defensive end Max Elkman, who brought down a (numberless and thus, unidentified) back before he could get around the edge.
Generally, we saw a bit more pressure from players up front such as Gabriel Lopez, Okiki Olorunfunmi, Bryce Santana, Kyler Drake and Garrison Walker.
UNM’s pass rush was abysmal last year (15 sacks to finish 129th out of 132 FBS teams), so the fact that the defensive line has flashed in live environments — UNM’s spring game, Saturday’s scrimmage, etc. — should be cause for optimism. At least for now.
“It’d be one thing if they just say it, but to be able to see it — you see they’re getting pressure, they’re getting to the quarterback,” Ellis said. “Making it harder on him, getting all up in his face. And that’s huge, man. If we don’t got a pass rush man …”
He laughed and shook his head.
“It’s gonna be bad in the back end. That would suck.”
News and notes
Snap count: In the window media saw of the scrimmage, backup quarterbacks Emery Floyd, Isaiah Chavez and James Laubstein all got reps — a far cry from UNM’s spring game. where Dampier played nearly every snap.
“He’s playing with more of his natural ability,” Miller said of Dampier. “And it makes it easier playing with guys like that, you know, that (can) ball. That just makes my job easier. I know he’s gonna put it in the right spot every single time. He’s gonna trust me to get open and he’s gonna have patience.”
Cornerbacks: One player that caught my eye (and others) from this group on Saturday? Drew Speech, a 6-foot-3, 189-pound Monterey Park (California) College transfer.
“He came in just as a guy ready to learn, you know,” Ellis said. “He came in, wanted to adapt that mindset, just the Lobo mindset … he wanted to be a key piece (of the defense). And so far, he’s stayed humble, comes in (and) learns, asks questions and applies it on the field.”
Injuries: After spending the last few practices in turquoise (meaning injured, limited or non-contact), linebacker Mihalis Santorineos was back in a white jersey on Saturday. Offensive lineman Malik Aliane was the only player seen completely out of pads, while safety Tavian Combs was still in a walking boot and using a scooter to get around.
The other players in turquoise on Saturday: — LB Dimitri Johnson — LB Tirek Austin-Cave — LB Colby Brewer — S Victor Villafuerte — DL Tyler Kiehne — OL Matthew Toilolo — S Noa Pola-Gates — WR Mateo Contreras
Watch list: In addition to Ray Guy Award preseason honoree Aaron Rodriguez, two other Lobos found themselves on a pair of award watch lists: — Medford was named to the Danny Wuerffel Trophy watch list, awarded to a college football player who “who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.” The junior and former TCU transfer led the Lobos in receiving yards (551) last season. — Wide receiver Luke Wysong was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, given to the most versatile player in college football. A redshirt junior, Wysong had seven receptions for 110 yards in an injury-shortened season, and is expected to continue returning punts this season.
Surprise guest: Plenty of former players were in attendance on Saturday, with one surprise visitor: Mountain West coordinator of officials Mike Defee. Media was not privy to Defee’s comments, but he spoke to both the team and crew of officials working Saturday’s scrimmage.
Defee, a longtime Big 12 referee, went viral during the 2017 national title game for his muscular frame. He joined the Mountain West in 2023.
