August 26, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Lobo Senior Hits New Depth
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff WriterMatt Streid's career seemed destined for college football oblivion this time a year ago.
A junior college transfer from Moorpark (Calif.) College, Streid accepted a scholarship offer from the University of New Mexico as an offensive lineman in 2006.
He redshirted that season but was academically ineligible in 2007. The 6-foot-3, 321-pound Streid was cast off to the scout team as the Lobos recruited four more junior college transfers in 2008.
Streid, however, wasn't going to let his senior season come and go without battling for playing time.
His work has paid off. Streid is slated to start at left guard as the Lobos get ready for their season opener Saturday against TCU at University Stadium. UNM released the depth chart on Monday.
"If I didn't do it now, I'd never do it," Streid says. "In the offseason, you've got to take care of your grades, and you've got to take care of the weight room. I did a lot of work in there, and I've just been pushing myself as hard as I can every play in the fall."
One of those four juco transfers did land a starting job — Joshua Taufalele will start at right guard against the Horned Frogs.
Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin says he expects center Ben Contreras, a junior college all-America last season at City College of San Francisco, to get into the lineup at some point this season.
"Somewhere along the line, Contreras is going to play center, and Cookie's (junior starting center Eric Cook) is going move over," Baldwin says. "But this has allowed us to figure out our seven-deep (with sophomore Mike Cannon). I'm excited Matt Streid has done the things he's done so far."
UNM's depth chart produced few surprises elsewhere. Transfer Bryant Williams is listed ahead of returning starter Roland Bruno at one wide receiver spot. Junior Kendall Briscoe has stepped into the starting spot at right end.
Coach Rocky Long said Monday that he will wait until Friday to make a decision whether junior defensive end Phillip Harrison will play.
Harrison was arrested in July on a felony charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
"I'll give him the most time to work out his legal issues," Long said of Harrison.
The Lobos will rely on a pair of true freshmen on special teams. James Aho, a graduate of Roswell High School, will assume kicking duties against TCU, although redshirt freshman Drew Zamora will handle kickoffs.
True freshman Tim Lutz, an Eldorado grad, will open at deep snapper for new punter Adam Miller, a junior from Santa Fe. Miller also will serve as the team's holder.
Senior cornerback Glover Quin will get to try his hand at kick returner, opposite junior safety Frankie Solomon. Solomon and junior lobo back Ian Clark will handle punt returns.
No one is more excited than Streid for Saturday's game.
"It's going to be a lot of fun," he says. "I can't wait to get in front of that crowd and show what we can do."
LINZ SIGHTING: Longtime Albuquerque Tribune columnist Richard Stevens will cohost the Lobo football pregame show with Scott Steigler on KKOB-AM (770), Steigler says. Stevens' alter ego, "The Linz," was notorious for his humorous columns predicting high school football games.
Saturday
Lobos vs. TCU, 4:06- p.m. TV: Versus. Radio: KKOB-AM (770)
Online: Lobo depth chart, ABQjournal.com