Albuquerque Journal

Lobos Look for Home Advantage
By Greg Archuleta
Journal Staff Writer
   
   Perhaps it's the oversized pictures of former Lobos DonTrell Moore and Robin Cole that have returned the mojo to University Stadium.
   
   When the University of New Mexico opens the 2008 football season at home Saturday against TCU, it will attempt to knock down one of those barriers coach Rocky Long loves knocking down.
   
   The Lobos will set out to win their fifth straight game at University Stadium, having won their final four of 2007. The program hasn't won five straight at home since the 1983-84 seasons, in which it captured six straight.
   
   “I think both teams starting their first games, the emotions are going to be high,” Long said. “Both teams will be playing at a very physical level. Playing at home, if we get a huge support of crowd, that gives the home team the advantage.”
   
   University Stadium finally returned as an asset to the Lobos in 2007. They won six of seven there after almost inexplicably losing eight of their previous 11 from 2005-2006.
   
   Last season, school administrators decorated the venue with the larger-than-life photos of former Lobo greats. Cole (1973-76), the former defensive end who won two Super Bowls as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Moore (2001-05), the school's all-time leading rusher, are draped on the back of the press - and luxury-box area.
   
   Lobo success has come in cycles at the stadium, which turns 48 on Sept. 17. After a 3-3 inaugural season in 1960, UNM went 19-4 over the next four seasons — including a 5-0 record in 1962 that marks the only undefeated season at the stadium.
   
   The Lobos won seven straight spanning 1961-63 — the most in the stadium's existence.
   
   The next four seasons (1965-68), New Mexico was 4-18 at University Stadium.
   
   The Lobos have a 140-128-3 record (.522 winning percentage) all-time at the facility, which a isn't all that impressive, except when comparing it to UNM's overall record — 234-306-5 (.434 winning percentage) — during that span.
   
   Ironically, several Mountain West Conference players at the league's Media Days meetings in July cited University Stadium as one of the tougher venues in the MWC to play.
   
   “The three that come to mind are New Mexico and any time you have to hit Utah (including Utah and Brigham Young),” TCU linebacker Jason Phillips said. “New Mexico is very loud. I remember going there in 2006 and not being able to hear.”
   
   “I'd typically say New Mexico,” Utah senior kicker and two-time MWC Special Teams Player of the Year Louie Sakoda said. “My kicking net is right by some of the rowdiest fans. There's no remorse as to what's being said. Occasionally, something will be thrown down. That's one of the most hostile environments, for sure.”
   
   “New Mexico's fans are closer than normal,” Wyoming senior running back Devin Moore said. “They're right on you, yelling.”
   
   UNM has put together an impressive home schedule this season and in the near future to attract more fans — especially season-ticket holders — and make University Stadium a bigger home-field advantage.
   
   Athletic officials even have current players getting in on the act in selling season tickets for the stadium's benefit.
   
   Asked about the importance of getting TCU at home to start the '08 season, senior linebacker Zach Arnett broke into a commercial.
   
   “You get 40,000-plus people in the stands for a conference-game home opener; nothing else you'd want,” Arnett says. “I'm also supposed to mention that season-ticket packages are still available, so anyone out there, it's going to be a great game and a great season.”
   
   The Lobos say they need the University Stadium crowd to help them win, which will lure more fans for next week's game against Texas A&M.
   
   The players are looking for a win-win proposition with the fans.
   
   “The crowd is really important to us,” senior cornerback Glover Quin says. “They give us a boost, give us energy and all that good stuff.”
   
   If UNM finds a way to tie the record for consecutive wins at home, it will have beaten TCU, Texas A&M and Arizona.
   
   That may finally help University Stadium take a step toward becoming as formidable a venue as that other one across the street.
   
   FERGUSON UP FOR AWARD: UNM senior Rodney Ferguson has been named a preseason candidate for the 2008 Doak Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the nation's top college running back.
   
   The field of candidates also includes the nation's leading returning rusher, Eugene Jarvis, from Kent State. Other candidates include the leading returning rushers from the Big 10 (Chris Wells, Ohio State); the Big 12 (Marlon Lucky, Nebraska); and the SEC (Knowshon Moreno, Georgia).
   
   The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on Nov. 10, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection
   
   Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on Nov. 24. The committee will cast a second vote beginning Dec. 1 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.
   
   The recipient of the 2008 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on the ESPNU College Football Awards on Dec. 11. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas on Feb. 6.
   
   The award, in its 19th year, is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back, Doak Walker.