Albuquerque Journal

Lobos Offer Special Attention
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff Writer

During spring drills, questions abound regarding the University of New Mexico football special teams. Right down to the pronunciation of kicker James Aho's last name.
   
Asked whether it was 'ey-ho' or 'aw-ho,' the redshirt freshman replied, "Either way."
   
Through the first two weeks of spring drills, the Lobos have been really good or really bad.
   
Such is the unit that must replace an All-American kicker, a two-year starting punter who led the Mountain West Conference last season in net punting and a four-year starter at deep snapper.
   
"That's the position that no one talks about, and it's as crucial to the success of special teams as any," says Lobo assistant coach Danny Gonzales of the deep snapper position.
   
"We're in a unique situation where we have to find players at all three positions, and we're going to have to have young guys that don't have any experience to step up."
   
Despite being inexperienced at all the specialist positions— including holder with quarterback Bryan Clampitt's graduation— remember that the Lobos went into last season relying on a walk-on without experience but with a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his non-kicking knee.
   
Senior John Sullivan went on to earn All-American honors from three organizations.
   
"What a story John Sullivan was," Gonzales says. "I remember coach (Rocky) Long getting e-mails before the season saying what a mistake it was to play him, and he ends up an All-American."
   
Aho is one of four walk-ons trying to write a kicking sequel for the Lobos.
   
Aho, who walked on last fall, only to be cut, went 6-for-6 in a recent practice, including a 51-yarder. The next day, he missed a pair inside the 40 but nailed a 42-yarder when the field-goal unit had to run onto the field from the sidelines in 10 seconds, get set and get the kick off.
   
He has the upper hand— or leg in this case— showing more consistency than senior Yousuf Shakir, redshirt freshman Drew Zamora and sophomore Garret Hentrup.
   
Aho, a 2007 graduate of Roswell High School, admits he didn't get many attempts as a Coyote but wasn't ready to hang up his cleats when he entered college.
   
"I was always playing sports, and I didn't not want to play sports anymore," the soft-spoken Aho says. "To be honest, I wasn't in shape for soccer, and I really enjoyed kicking."
   
Gonzales says UNM has more walk-ons scheduled to arrive in August and expects the competition to go deep into fall camp. Among the arrivals is 2007 5A All-State selection Gordon Rowe of La Cueva.
   
Gonzales says the punting battle also will extend into fall. Junior walk-on Adam Miller, a Santa Fe High alum, is ahead of senior scholarship player Matt Barnard.
   
Like Aho's, Miller's performance has been promising but erratic.
   
While the kickers have worked primarily in UNM's indoor practice facility during the spring, the punters do their drills on one of two 50-yard east-west fields painted at University Stadium.
   
On one attempt, Miller booted a perfect spiral, knocking the punt some 65 yards, 10 to 12 rows up the east stands.
   
The next punt, he shanked left for 31 yards.
   
"Just got to get more consistent, day in and day out," Miller says.
   
Though he knew a spot would be open this season with Jordan Scott's graduation, Miller says he's approached his duty the same.
   
"There's not too much to our job," he says. "You just gotta go out there and get it done."
   
Redshirt freshman Kris Kemper was the backup deep snapper to Jon O'Brien last season. Senior linebacker Zach Arnett and center Ben Contreras are trying out, and Gonzales says tryouts will continue in the fall.
   
EXTRA POINTS: Senior wide receiver Jonathan Brooks has missed three practices because of an injured left knee. Senior nose tackle Jeremiah Lovato has a sprained foot and still has not returned to practice. Senior cornerback DeAndre Wright has missed two practices because of illness.
   
. .. Senior cornerback Glover Quin and junior lobo back Danny Martin were among 19 UNM student-athletes who read to Painted Sky Elementary School students Thursday.
   
Up next
   
Today: Practice, 6-8 p.m. Cherry-Silver Game: April 26, Santa Fe High School Cost: Free Features: Postgame interview session; free Lobo football T-shirts to first 500 kids