New Mexico’s Offensive Scouting Report

Warning! I’ve made a change.

I decided to separate the Scouting Reports so I can focus more on each side of the ball and give you all a better opportunity to understand what the Cougars could encounter on Saturday.

Today will be the New Mexico offense, and tomorrow I will break down the Lobo defense; then it’s game time.

Let’s begin with the Lobos' impact players.

Running Backs

They will use a couple of running backs. Rodney Ferguson (No. 21) gets the ball the most. He is big and physical and if he gets a full head of steam, watch out.

He doesn’t look like he is moving quickly until he gets to you and once he is there it is too late. He has good feet and can stay up after the first and second contact.

This is apparent as he often runs into a pile and then pops out for a gain of six or seven yards. The Cougar defense will get a heavy dose of No. 21 on Saturday.

Their next back is Paul Baker (No. 22). He is the fastball to Rodney’s change up. He is a threat to take the ball the distance and when he gets in the open field, he is tough to bring down. He is smaller yet seems to move the pile when he needs to.

Matt Quillen (No. 31) is their fullback who catches an occasional pass out of the backfield, but mostly earns his scholarship running into linebackers. He is a big guy, but not extremely physical.

Wide Receivers

New Mexico use a lot of different receivers in the passing game, but after watching their film, two receivers stood out in my mind.

Chris Hernandez (No. 18) is probably their most consistent wideout. He is lanky, has good hands, and has above average speed. He also has good vision when running wide receiver screens and after he has made a catch.

Roland Bruno (No. 8) is their deep threat. He has great speed and runs crisp routes. He is the guy on their team that at any time could take it the distance.

Daryl Jones looks like a good athlete, but he doesn’t get his hands on the ball enough to make a significant difference.

Offensive Line

They are far more effective run blocking than pass blocking. This group also gets better as the game wears on.

When run blocking, they do a good job of getting on their blocks and staying on them. Where they have trouble is when they have to pass guys off or when they have to pick up blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.

This group has problems when it comes to creating a pocket for their quarterback. When their quarterback drops back, the pocket closes extremely fast, which makes quarterbacks jittery in the pocket.

Overall inconsistency from the offensive line is a big reason their quarterbacks are inconsistent and why they have looked good in some games and horrible in others.

Quarterbacks

Starter Donovan Porterie (No. 15) was injured in the game against TCU, so we can’t count on his one or two interceptions. For a three-year starter Donovan has been extremely inconsistent. He is seriously like "Two Face" in "The Dark Knight."

In some games, he makes solid decisions and is a leader for his team. In other games, he makes boneheaded throws and displays as much leadership as a lemming.

Freshman Brad Gruner (No. 10) will get his first start against the Cougs in LES. It’s not an easy task, but the kid can play. He is very capable both throwing the ball and running with the ball.

Even though he makes horrible decisions, he shows resiliency after making a mistake and it’s that unpredictability that makes him dangerous. Mobile quarterbacks have plagued us before and could give them a chance of moving the ball if we are playing loose. 

The Lobo Offensive Scheme

The Lobo’s run a spread offense, but that is not what they do well. They are at their best when they are in 12 and 21 personal, which lends to the running backs and tight ends running the ball.

After they have established the running game, they use a variety of screen plays to get their athletes in space one-on-one with defenders.

New Mexico has always been extremely effective at running slip screens: screens to running backs, wide receiver screens, and an occasional inside screen to the tight end or a fullback.

I would expect the Lobos to first run the ball, mixing in an occasional crossing route or drag route. Then when they need a big play, they will run some sort of screen play.

They also will take two or three shots down the field, by pulling in max protection and only put two players out in routes, they will just let it fly and hope for the best.

The funny thing about their offensive coordinator is that he is not afraid of running a play that worked once, over and over, until you display that you have made the necessary adjustments to stop the play.

As stated above, they favor spread formations that haven’t displayed many effective plays. They run some option, but their line doesn’t block it very well. They also run crossing routes and short digs, but their quarterbacks have been inconsistent, so it also hasn’t been that effective.

I think their offense is still trying to find an identity and with a new starting quarterback the Lobos will depend on a strong power running game to both chew the clock and move the chains.

BYU Cougars defensive keys:

1. Be able to stop the run without using the safeties and corner. We need safeties and corners to play the screens and passes. That means our linebackers and linemen need to play extremely physical at the point of attack. If we are physical enough we will force their running backs to move and shuffle laterally, which will give our defense time to shed blocks and gang tackle.
2. Force the Lobos into third-and-long scenarios. This will put the pressure on both the offensive line to create and maintain a good pocket and force the quarterback to throw the ball downfield. Gruner has a nasty habit of throwing inaccurate passes that hit defenders in the worst possible place: their hands. That is why it is important for the defensive front to get pressure on the quarterback and the DBs need to catch the ball when it comes their way. Don’t be surprised to see a couple balls either hit defenders in the face or right in the hands.
3. The defensive line has to recognize the screen passes and retrace their steps hard and fast in order to stop large gains. If a screen pass is executed correctly the defensive backs and linebackers do not have a chance to stop it. The only players who can stop screens are the retracing linemen who are unaccounted for by the offense. We can’t get caught trying to get a free and clear sack; there is no such thing. Stop, find the ball carrier and tackle him in the backfield.

The Lobo offense has demonstrated the ability to drive the ball methodically down the field. They depend on the big plays, screens and bombs, to create emotion and opportunities to score. If we gang tackle against their running game and don’t give up screen plays I don’t see them putting more than 14 points on the board. And I am sorry to say, Lobos, that will not be enough.