August 11, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
UNM will have its biggest starting defensive line in Rocky Long's 11 seasons
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff WriterSize matters — even with Rocky Long's defensive scheme.
The University of New Mexico enters 2008 with the biggest starting defensive line in Long's 11 years at the program. Projected starters Kevin Balogun, Wesley Beck and Phillip Harrison average 278.7 pounds across the line.
Long originally designed his 3-3-5 base defense to overcome a lack of size at the line of scrimmage. His defenses at UNM almost perennially rank in the top 30 in the nation with lines that have averaged as few as 251 pounds.
Last season, the Lobos ranked 13th in the nation — their best rank under Long — in yards allowed at 319.9 per game. That team included starting defensive ends Michael Tuohy (250 pounds) and Tyler Donaldson (226), both of whom graduated after the season.
However, the two units that allowed the fewest yards per game — the 2000 squad allowed 309.4 and ranked 17th in the country and the 2001 squad that gave up 310.8 and ranked 18th — had the biggest lines of all Long's defenses.
The 2000 squad averaged 273.3 pounds. The '01 team went from 272.7 to 279, because three different players started four games each at one end position.
Needless to say, UNM is excited about the potential of its enormous line — relatively speaking in 2008.
"It's a benefit," line coach Everett Todd says. "Obviously, we want these guys to be as agile and quick as Tuohy and Tyler were, but at the same time, because we're bigger and stronger we have the ability to be more powerful."
If the ends can show similar quickness, the Lobos may be able to pressure opposing quarterbacks with fewer rushers and allow more players to drop back into coverage and make plays.
"Well, we'll never just bring three or four (rushers)," Todd says, "but it does give us more options."
Beck, a 6-foot-1, 285-pound senior nose tackle who started alongside Tuohy and Donaldson last season, hasn't noticed any disparity in quickness in this year's group.
"The only difference I see is size," he says. "Tuohy and Tyler were playmakers. Kevin's a playmaker, too. He's definitely a freak of nature. Great size, great ability."
Balogun, the 6-4, 281-pound left end, is more than slightly anxious to get the '08 season going as a starter. The senior has overcome a torn Achilles tendon and sprained knee ligaments early in his career.
"It means a lot to me (to start) because I haven't always been able to be there for my teammates," Balogun says. "It's big opportunity for me, but I know I'm not the only one on defense. I'm just one piece of the puzzle."
The left-end piece, Harrison (6-3, 270), already is as fleet of foot as were Tuohy and Donaldson, according to Balogun.
Other puzzle pieces on the line aren't lightweights, either. Kendall Briscoe (6-2, 285) and Jeremiah Lovato (6-2, 262) can play nose or end and 6-3 Brett Kennedy already is 272 as a redshirt freshman.
Junior DeAndre Davis (6-2, 252) and redshirt freshman Jaymar Latchison (6-3, 245) also could make the rotation, if UNM wants to return to its former sleek look.
"We're get as much pressure as, if not more than, we were at this time last year," Todd says. "We're going to play as many guys as are ready to play. If they're on the traveling squad, then they deserve to get a couple of plays on defense, regardless of where I think they are (in their development)."
GETTING CONNECTED: While the results of Lobos' offseason work remains to be seen, Long had done a great job in the last few weeks getting his program some national notoriety.
He obviously made an impression on new ESPN.com reporter Graham Watson, who covers all non-BCS programs. During the Mountain West Conference media meetings last month, Watson wrote a story on Long and quoted him prominently in another article.
Earlier this month, she also ranked the top 10 non-BCS coaches and put Long No. 4, behind Brigham Young's Bronco Mendenhall, Boise State's Chris Peterson and Florida Atlantic's Howard Schnellenberger.
And in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, writer Phil Taylor quotes Long in a story about defensive coaches trying to stop spread offenses.
INJURY UPDATE: Left tackle Sylvester Hatten sat out Saturday's practices because of a slight concussion. Backup guard Karlin Givens was carted off the field in the morning practice with a severe ankle sprain.