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The Lowdown 2005 Schedule Coach: Hal Mumme (first season) 2004 record: 5-6 Sun Belt finish: 4-2 (t-2nd) 2004 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 83rd (129.3 ypg) Passing: 34th (243.6 ypg) 2004 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 110th (221.5 ypg) Passing: 31st (197.4 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 3 UTEP Sept. 10 at Colorado Sept. 17 at New Mexico Sept. 23 California Oct. 1 at Louisiana Tech Oct. 8 Fresno State Oct. 15 at Hawaii Oct. 29 Idaho Nov. 5 at Boise State Nov. 12 Nevada Nov. 19 at San Jose State Nov. 26 Utah State Depth Chart: Offense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 84 Tim Tolbert Jr. 80 Jared Quick Sr. WR 7 Brandon Allen So. 12 Kenneth Buckley So. WR 10 Paul Dombrowski Sr. 19 Derek Dubois So. LT 75 Kyle Smith Jr. 76 Alex Gottlieb So. LG 65 Jose Quinones Jr. 77 Justin Shopbell Jr. C 69 Mike Martinez So. 79 Kevin Cimador So. RG 64 Nick Cole Sr. 79 Kevin Cimador So. RT 74 Adam Honaker So. 76 Alex Gottlieb So. TE 81 Andrew Mooney So. 87 Anthony Lonon Sr. QB 4 Joey Vincent Jr. 11 Royal Gill Jr. RB 20 Muammar Ali Jr. 47 David Romaka Jr. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 96 Chase Spicer Sr. 98 Skyler Sargent So. NG 92 Sam Ford Jr. 62 Zach Monono So. DE 91 Jared Naylor Jr. 45 Maurice Murray Jr. OLB 93 Brandon McKinney So. 54 Dustin Sober Sr. ILB 24 John Howell Sr. 49 Sean Dade Sr. ILB 42 Jimmy Cottrell Sr. 52 Tim McManigal Jr. OLB 58 Chris Sneed Jr. 95 Michael Brewer So. CB 25 Gill Byrd Jr. 8 Tony Gianquento Sr. CB 31 Shukree Shabazz Sr. 15 Spencer Moore Jr. SS 41 Eric Carrie Jr. 40 Nick Cleaver So. FS 2 Matt Griebel Sr. 36 Alex Bernard So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. K 48 Brad Evans Jr. P 48 Brad Evans Jr. KR 25 Gill Byrd Jr. PR 25 Gill Byrd Jr.

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Welcome to the new New Mexico State. There's a new conference (WAC), a new Athletics Director (McKinley Boston) and above all, a new coach in Hal Mumme. Of course, the big question for Aggie fans is "will this parlay into a new outcome?"

New Mexico State has had only four winning seasons in the last 37 years and hasn't witnessed back-to-back winners since 1966-67. Patience has worn thin. Last year's 5-6 team -- a monumental success by NMSU standards -- was deemed an underachiever. Exit Tony Samuel and his Power I. Enter Mumme and his Air-Raid Assault. Make no mistake about it -- 2005 will be all about Mumme. In 14 years as a head coach (Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State, Kentucky and most recently Southeastern Louisiana) he has been as well-known for his offensive pyrotechnics as for his record (97-64-1).

OFFENSE

Joey Vincent and Royal Gill battled to a draw for the quarterback job in the spring with Vincent posting bigger numbers and completing a higher percentage of passes. But he threw only 14 passes last year, while the 6-foot-5 Gill threw for nearly 2,000 yards at Pima Community College.

Muammar Ali, who led the team with 561 yards rushing, will get even more opportunities in the wide-open passing attack. There's depth on the wings as the top nine receivers from '04 return. Tim Tolbert led the team with 28 catches for 420 yards. Converted quarterback Paul Dombrowski figures to be the go-to guy. His '04 numbers (28 catches, 392 yards) were nearly identical to Tolbert's. Tight end Andrew Mooney, a second-team Freshman All-American, will be challenged by converted wideout Anthony Lonon.

Three starters return up front, led by center Mike Martinez, who started every game as a freshman in 2004. Nick Cole moves to right guard after being named second-team All-Sun Belt at right tackle.

DEFENSE

Chase Spicer and Jared Naylor are the most experienced defensive linemen and are slated to start at left and right end, respectively, in the Aggies' new 3-4 alignment. Junior college transfer Maurice Murray participated in spring drills and is ready to compete for significant time as well.

Linebacker Jimmy Cottrell, one of the nation's more unheralded players, is looking to become the first player to lead New Mexico State in tackles for four consecutive years.

Three starters return in the secondary, including playmaking corners Gill Byrd and Shukree Shabazz. The leader of the unit, free safety Matt Griebel, was sent to the sidelines after breaking his left arm in two places during the first scrimmage of the spring. He was in a cast for six weeks, but the second-team All-Sun Belt selection is expected to be at full strength when camp opens.

SPECIALISTS

Brad Evans emerged from spring drills with both the placekicking and punting jobs, but Mumme, who is not fond of kickers pulling double duty, will scour the land for another contender over the summer.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Aggies will almost certainly be more entertaining under the guidance of Mumme, but with a schedule that includes UTEP, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Fresno State, Hawaii, Boise State and New Mexico, Aggie faithful might want to put off a ticker tape parade for at least another year.

With a new AD, coach and conference schedule, there will likely be an adjustment period for Mumme and New Mexico State.