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New Mexico State Aggies (2000: 3-8) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programEven with an offense that scored 30 or more points in a school-record seven consecutive games in 2000, New Mexico State managed only three victories. The problem? Defense.Aggies coach Tony Samuel, whose defensive unit led the nation in total defense five times when he was an assistant at Nebraska, can’t wait for his defense to catch up. “Our defense was not very good last year because of injuries,’’ Samuel said before spring practice. “Defense is especially a critical phase for us.’’ The offense is just fine. The Aggies have ranked among the nation’s top 20 in total offense in two of the last three seasons, and have been among the nation’s top 10 in rushing yards per game the last two seasons. Since Samuel took over the New Mexico State program in 1992, the Aggies have been 2-9, 3-8, 6-5 and 3-8. All indications are that Samuel has the program ready to compete in the new Sun Belt Conference. Things have certainly changed since he arrived in Las Cruces. “It’s like night and day,’’ Samuel said of the atmosphere surrounding the program. “The team effort in the offseason is a huge improvement. That jumps right out at you." Samuel will enter the 2001 season in a new conference -- the Sun Belt -- and with the support of the school’s administration. He was awarded a contract last year through the 2004 season. It was announced in April that New Mexico State would play Louisville in the John Thompson Foundation Football Challenge at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 23, in Louisville, Ky. The game will be the first NCAA Division I game of the 2001 season and will mark the first time NMSU has played a 12-game schedule in its history. Louisville was 9-3 last year and won the Conference USA title with a 6-1 record. The Cardinals, who have played in three bowl games in the last four seasons, lost to Colorado State, 21-17, last year in the Liberty Bowl. “To play the first game of the 2001 football season is a great opportunity for New Mexico State,’’ Samuel said. “Louisville had a great season last year and this will be a chance for us to compete with a high-caliber team.’’
OffenseDuring its 3-8 2000, New Mexico State posted three of the nation’s top 10 single-game total offensive efforts, including a 660-yard performance at Idaho. The I-formation rushing attack installed by Samuel and his staff helped NMSU lead the Big West Conference in rushing in each of Samuel’s four seasons in Las Cruces.Back for his senior season will be quarterback K.C. Enzminger (6-1, 204), who ranks in the top five in six career offensive categories at NMSU, including first in quarterback rushing (1,029 yards) and third in touchdowns (46). He has started 22 straight games and ranks second in Aggie history in interception percentage (.0318), third in touchdowns responsible for (46), fourth in passing efficiency (121.09), fourth in total offense (4,835 yards), fifth in passing touchdowns (33), sixth in yards per passing attempt (7.127), eighth in passing (3,806 yards) and is tied for eighth in 200-yard passing games (seven). Senior Kenton Keith (5-11, 180), who received honorable mention honors last year in the Big West, will take over for Chris Barnes at I-back. Last year, Barnes became just the eighth player in NMSU history to rush for 1,000 yards. Keith carried six times for 48 yards in the spring game. The strength of the offense will be the receiving corps with returning starters Manwell Talbert (6-2, 215), a senior, and P.J. Winston (6-0, 180), a junior. They combined last year for 60 receptions, 11 for touchdowns, and 1,013 yards. The key returnee in the offensive line will be senior right guard Tony Wragge (6-3, 305), a two-time All-Big West selection who has started 23 consecutive games. Last year, he anchored an offensive line that helped NMSU rank sixth in the nation in rushing (274.2 ypg) and 17th in total offense (429.5 ypg).
Defense and special teamsThe Aggies are expected to be faster and bigger on the defensive line than they were last season. Samuel is high on sophomore tackle Tommy Laborin (6-3, 305).Seniors D’Wayne Taylor (6-0, 195) and Jamar Lawrence (6-2, 215) return at linebacker. Taylor has started 33 consecutive games at linebacker. He led the team in tackles as a redshirt freshman (87) and as a junior (73). The two-time All-Big West selection tied for the league lead in tackles for loss (16) last year. Taylor finished 11th in the Big West last year with his 87 tackles and tied for the league lead with two fumble recoveries. Junior Tyrone Gifford (6-0, 198), a fresh face like Laborin, is expected to play well at free safety. “Tyrone is a kid who played a lot last season,’’ Samuel said. “He is like Laborin. If he ever decides to take his game to another level, he will be as good as any player in the country.’’ Returning as the Aggies’ place-kicker will be sophomore Dario Aguiniga (5-11, 175). He made 9-of-19 field goals last year. He made kicks of 27, 38 and 18 yards against Arkansas State.
Bottom lineAfter New Mexico State opens the 2001 football schedule on Aug. 23 against Louisville, the Aggies still must play an 11-game schedule that is being called the toughest in school history.After the Louisville game, NMSU must play at Texas before playing host to Pacific-10 and Fiesta Bowl champion Oregon State at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Sept. 8. The Aggies then travel to New Mexico, Kansas State, Louisiana-Monroe and Tulsa for a grueling season-opening stretch with six of the first seven games on the road. If the Aggies are healthy for the Sun Belt stretch the second half of the season, they could make some noise. |
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