UNM Football: Sights and sounds from Saturday’s friendly game

August 3 – Results don’t matter in (early) August. Not when it’s the first week of full pads, with new players on both sides of the ball still learning to go full speed. Not when only 26 of New Mexico’s 110 players have jersey numbers.

And not when the Lobos are closer to the first day of camp than their opener against Montana State. Some had this idea — process over results — squarely in their sights when they asked a question after the first UNM game:

Who won?

“Right now, we’re not focused on the results, we’re focused on the process,” wide receiver Shawn Miller said Saturday. “Everyone is going to have an opinion, but right now (we are) just focused on the process. You know me, offensive guy, I’m a little biased.”

Or a process guy?

“Process guy,” he nodded. “Focus on the process.”

Others, predictably, opted for a more partisan approach.

“You know I’ll always say defense,” laughed safety Christian Ellis.

UNM went live for its first of two live scrimmages on Saturday and whether one considers it a win for the offense, defense or team as a whole, here are some takeaways, news and notes:

Scrimmage Observations

The media viewing window only covered the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s friendly game, so figuring out what actually happened was more or less up to the players. Running back Andrew Henry provided the most detailed summary of any player surveyed by the Journal:

“I feel like at the beginning of the week the offense was kicking the defense’s ass,” he said, “and the defense stepped up today and showed us that they are as good, if not better, than us. of great moments where they were making stops – left us a little quiet at first.

“But, you know, that’s good. They were winning. We were a little bit on the backseat, but we tied our cushions the same way this morning. And so (we) had a lot of back and forth.”

I can corroborate much of your report: the first 15 to 20 minutes of the match were more in favor of the defense. There was a long catch and run by wide receiver Ryan Davis to set up the only touchdown we saw – quarterback Devon Dampier connecting with wide receiver Caleb Medford in the corner of the end zone. Good launch, good route, good reception.

“I have all the time in the world back there!” Dampier shouted afterwards.

And while the personnel change changes things, it actually didn’t feel like the offense had all the time in the world. There was a batted pass at the line of scrimmage on third down. A monster play by defensive end Max Elkman, who took down a (countless and therefore unidentified) back before he could get around the rim.

Generally, we saw a little more pressure from front players like Gabriel Lopez, Okiki Olorunfunmi, Bryce Santana, Kyler Drake, and Garrison Walker.

UNM’s pass rush was abysmal last year (15 sacks to finish 129th out of 132 FBS teams), so the fact that the defensive line has shined in live environments — UNM’s spring game, Saturday’s game, etc. At least for a while.

“It would be one thing if they just said that, but being able to see that — you see that they’re getting pressure, they’re getting to the quarterback,” Ellis said. “Making things harder for him, getting in his face. And that’s huge, man. If we don’t have a pass rush, man…”

He laughed and shook his head.

“It’s going to be bad in the end. That would suck.”

News and notes

Snap count: In the window the media saw from the scrimmage, backup quarterbacks Emery Floyd, Isaiah Chavez and James Laubstein got reps — a far cry from UNM’s spring game. where Dampier played nearly every snap.

“He’s playing with more natural ability,” Miller said of Dampier. “And it makes it easier to play with guys like that, you know, who (can) ball. It just makes my job easier. He will be patient.”

Cornerbacks: One player that caught my (and others’) attention from this group on Saturday? Drew Speech, a 6-foot-3, 189-pound college transfer from Monterey Park (Calif.).

“He came in as a guy ready to learn, you know,” Ellis said. “He came in, he wanted to adapt that mentality, just the Lobo mentality… he wanted to be a key player (of the defense). And so far he has remained humble, goes in (and) learns, asks questions and applies. this on the field.”

Injuries: After spending the last few practices in a turquoise jersey (i.e. injured, limited or without contact), linebacker Mihalis Santorineos returned in a white jersey on Saturday. Forward Malik Aliane was the only player seen completely unprotected, while safety Tavian Combs still used hiking boots and a scooter to get around.

The other players in turquoise on Saturday: — LB Dimitri Johnson — LB Tirek Austin-Cave — LB Colby Brewer — S Victor Villafuerte — DL Tyler Kiehne — OL Matthew Toilolo — S Noa Pola-Gates — WR Mateo Contreras

Watch list: In addition to preseason Ray Guy Award honoree Aaron Rodriguez, two other Lobos found themselves on two award watch lists: – Medford was named to the Danny Wuerffel Trophy watch list, awarded to one player of college football that “best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic performance.” The junior and former TCU transfer led the Lobos in receiving yards (551) last season. – Wide receiver Luke Wysong was named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given to college football’s most versatile player. A redshirt junior, Wysong had seven receptions for 110 yards in an injury-shortened season, and he is expected to continue returning punts this season.

Surprise guest: Many former players were in attendance Saturday, with one surprise visitor: Mountain West officiating coordinator Mike Defee. The media was not aware of Defee’s comments, but he spoke to both the team and the team of referees who worked Saturday’s friendly game.

Defee, a longtime Big 12 referee, went viral during the 2017 national title game for his muscular frame. He joined the Mountain West in 2023.