Oct. 18—A position-by-position look at who has the edge as New Mexico travels to Utah State:
Quarterback
New Mexico
Projected starter: Devon Dampier, So.
Backup: Isaiah Chavez, R-Sr.
Utah State
Projected starter: Spencer Petras, Grad.
Backup: Bryson Barnes, Jr.
Analysis: Less than a year removed from former quarterback Levi Williams’ heroics in a 44-41 double overtime win over UNM, Williams and the rest of the Aggies’ primary quarterbacks from last season are gone: Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead entered the portal while Williams, in an act befitting of a gutty 351-yard performance, left to train for the Navy SEALs.
Now? It’s Iowa transfer Spencer Petras’ show in an offense that has him on pace to set a bevy of new career highs. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound sixth-year quarterback has completed 104 of 159 passes for 1,271 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions, throwing three of each in a 50-34 loss to UNLV last week.
For UNM, another game means another week of opposing coaches crediting Devon Dampier — now the Mountain West leader in total offense, with an average of 311.7 yards per game.
“This guy was their wildcat guy last year and now is their every-down guy,” Utah State interim head coach Nate Dreiling said of Dampier during a press conference Monday. “He is unbelievable. He is running the ball better than anybody, maybe, we’ve seen at this point and he has a laser of an arm.
“He can throw all these tight window throws. Their run game has been open and he has been willing the pass game. They are so dangerous because teams will get to him but they’ve only given up one sack this season in large part because no one can get this guy down.”
Advantage: Petras has been a more efficient passer, but Dampier has posed more of an overall threat for opposing defenses. That’s enough for an edge. New Mexico
Offensive line
New Mexico
Projected starters: Lajuan Owens, R-Fr. (LT), Baraka Beckett, Sr. (LG), McKenzie Agnello, Jr. (C), Richard Pearce, Jr. (RG), Wallace Unamba, Jr. (RT)
Backups: Elvin Harris, R-Fr. (LT), Matthew Toilolo, R-Fr. (LG), Malik Aliane, So. (C), James Bailey, So. (RG), Elvin Harris, Fr. (RT)
Utah State
Projected starters: Cole Motes, Sr. (LT), Wyatt Bowles, Grad. (LG), Falepule Alo, Sr. (C), Aloali’i Maui, Jr. (RG), Teague Anderson, So. (RT)
Backups: Trey Andersen, Jr. (LT), George Maile, So. (LG), Bryce Radford, So,. (C), Tavo Motu’apuaka, So. (RG), Jared Pele, Jr. (RT)
Analysis: One year after giving up a Mountain West-worst 44 sacks, Utah State is on pace to nearly halve that figure with just 12 through six games. That’s a credit to returners Wyatt Bowles, Falepule Alo, Cole Motes, Aloali’i Maui and Teague Andersen all upping their game, even if it hasn’t always been a perfect product.
And speaking of imperfection: UNM’s no-sacks streak came to an end in last week’s 52-37 win over Air Force. The Lobos are now tied with Georgia Tech and Army for the fewest sacks allowed (1) in FBS.
Advantage: UNM’s argument here gets a boost from that low sack total. But make no mistake — these are two quality lines. New Mexico
Running backs
New Mexico
Projected starters: Eli Sanders, Jr. OR Na’Quari Rogers, Jr. OR Javen Jacobs, So.
Utah State
Projected starter: Rahsul Faison, Sr.
Backup: Herschel Turner, Fr.
Analysis: UNM fans will remember Rahsul Faison from his 106-yard performance against the Lobos in last season’s finale, a strong cap to a season that saw him largely work in tandem with Davon Booth. But after Booth transferred to Mississippi State, Faison has emerged as the head of the snake for Utah State’s rushing attack, with 587 yards and three touchdowns on 108 carries.
No other Aggie has rushed for more than 160 yards or seen more than 30 carries. Bank on seeing plenty of Faison come Saturday.
Advantage: Faison hasn’t been the most reliable pass blocker, but he’s having a strong year as a pure runner — few backs in the league (with the exception of Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, of course) consistently come up with as many extra yards as the 5-11, 200-pound senior. And yet, UNM has steadily added so many different elements to its run game that it’s hard to build much of a case for Utah State here. New Mexico
Wide receivers
New Mexico
Projected starters: Caleb Medford, Jr. OR Nic Trujillo, So. (X), Luke Wysong, R-Jr. (Y), Ryan Davis, R-Sr. (Z)
Backups: Javen Jacobs, So. (Y), Shawn Miller, So. (Z)
Utah State
Projected starters: Jalen Royals, Sr. (WR), Otto Tia, Jr. (WR), Kyrese White, Sr. (Slot)
Backups: Grant Page, So. (WR), Colby Bowman, Sr. (WR), Jack Hestera, Jr. (Slot)
Analysis: After a slow start to the season, Jalen Royals is finally picking up steam. The 6-0, 205-pound receiver has 29 catches for 478 yards and four touchdowns over his last three games, numbers befitting of a receiver that earned preseason All-Mountain West honors. How UNM manages Royals should be top of mind for any fan watching Saturday’s game.
For UNM, the “or” between Nic Trujillo (13 receptions, 227 yards, one touchdown) and Caleb Medford (10 receptions, 200 yards, two touchdowns) lives for another week. Who emerges there — and if Luke Wysong can get back to putting up the numbers he did earlier this season — is well-worth watching, too.
Advantage: In a conference heavy on wide receiver talent, Royals gives the Aggies a strong edge here. Utah State
Tight ends
New Mexico
Projected starter: Trace Bruckler, R-Jr.
Backup: Isaiah Sillemon, R-Jr.
Utah State
Projected starter: Broc Lane, Sr. OR Josh Sterzer, Grad.
Backup: Will Monney, So.
Analysis/advantage: Broc Lane (15 receptions, 146 yards) has slightly better numbers than Trace Bruckler (13 receptions, 83 yards, two touchdowns) but he’s also been in-and-out of the lineup with a nagging injury. Call this one a Draw
Defensive line
New Mexico
Projected starters: Kyler Drake, Sr. (DT), Devin Brandt-Epps, Sr. (NT), Moso Tuitele, So. (END)
Backups: Tyler Kiehne, Jr. (DT), Bryce Santana, Sr. (NT), Okiki Olorunfunmi, Sr. (END)
Utah State
Projected starters: Blaine Spires, Grad. OR Marlin Dean, Jr. OR Cian Sione, Sr. (DE), Gabriel Iniguez, Jr. (DT), Bo Maile, Jr. (DT), Enoka Migao, Jr. OR Lawrence Falatea, Jr. OR Gabe Peterson, Jr. (DE)
Backups: Isaiah Bruce, Jr. (DT), Seni Tuiaki, Jr. (DT)
Analysis: Kyler Drake and Devin Brandt-Epps, both questionable heading into last week’s game against Air Force, did play and put up a combined five tackles over 87 snaps. Tyler Kiehne did not play and was seen in a turquoise jersey (meaning injured, non-contact or limited) during UNM’s weekly practice viewing window on Tuesday.
Why are there so many “ors” among Utah State’s defensive ends? Dreiling said Monday that Utah State will continue to miss Blaine Spires, Enoka Miago and Gabe Peterson, setting up another week for Cian Stone and Lawrence Falatea to continue being “the guy(s)” off the edge.
“For us to have success, those guys have to be on top of it … If Cian and Lawrence can set unbelievable edges, whether it’s the run game or the pass game, then we’re going to be exactly where we need to be in keeping everyone funnelled back to the teeth of the defense,” Dreiling added.
Advantage: Utah State earns an edge by being a touch more successful bringing pressure off the edge. Utah State
Linebackers
New Mexico
Projected starters: Dimitri Johnson, Sr. OR Jayden Wilson, So. (Mike), Gabriel Lopez, R-Sr. OR Antoineo Harris, Sr. (Will), Randolph Kpai, R-Jr. (Buck)
Backups: Okiki Olorunfunmi, Sr. (Will), Hunter Wiggins, So. (Buck)
Utah State
Projected starters: Clyde Washington, Grad. (Mike), Jon Ross Maye, Sr. OR Jadon Pearson, Jr. (Will)
Backups: John Miller, R-Jr. OR Bronson Olevao, So. OR Logan Pili, So. (Mike), Cole Joyce, Jr. (Will)
Analysis: After not playing a defensive snap against Air Force, Jayden Wilson was a full go during the open practice window this week. When asked if Wilson’s absence was due to injury, Mendenhall answered the sophomore would “be ready to go” — pencil him in to return against Utah State. Gabe Lopez was seen in turquoise and did not practice on Tuesday; if he isn’t ready by Saturday, bank on Antoineo Harris Jr. to pick up another start.
Advantage: UNM’s linebacker depth has been on the brink for a while. It hasn’t quite burned the Lobos yet, but it makes it hard for them to earn much of an edge. Utah State
Secondary
New Mexico
Projected starters: Noa Pola-Gates, Sr. (FCB), Christian Ellis, Jr. (FS), Noah Avinger, Jr. (BS), Bryson Taylor, Jr. (BCB), Nigel Williams, Sr. OR Bobby Arnold III, So. (Nickel)
Backups: Cam Watts, R-Sr. (FCB), Dereck Moore, So. (FS/Nickel), David Murphy, R-So. OR Dominic Tatum, R-Sr. (BS), Ishmael Az-Zahir, Sr. (BCB)
Utah State
Projected starters: Avante Dickerson, Jr. (BCB), Jordan Vincent, Sr. (BS), Ike Larsen, Jr. (FS), JD Drew, So. (FCB), Torren Union, Grad. OR Jaiden Francois, Grad. (Nickel)
Backups: DJ Graham II, R-Jr. (BCB), Malik McConico, So. OR Omari Okeke, R-Sr. (BS), Chase Davis, R-Fr. (FS), Noah Flores, R-Fr. (FCB)
Analysis: Injury-wise, this is where it gets tricky for UNM. Bobby Arnold III made his return after a two-game absence against Air Force, but left due to an apparent injury; the sophomore was seen wearing a turquoise jersey during Tuesday’s practice. The real question, however, might be Noah Avinger’s status. The junior safety was also in turquoise Tuesday — with a noticeable limp. Avinger has played the last few games with a club on his hand, so it’s hard to imagine him not suiting up on Saturday; it’s even harder to imagine how UNM might fill his shoes if he doesn’t.
Advantage: Uncertainty around a key player such as Avinger and what Utah State brings to the table with talented — if inconsistent — players such as Ike Larsen swings this one in the Aggies’ direction. Utah State
