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Mar. 26—Spring began March 19 but for New Mexico, it might as well have been 9:53 a.m. on Tuesday morning, when UNM football broke huddle for its first official practice of the Bronco Mendenhall era.
As promised, players’ jerseys had no numbers, but did have names on the back. Coaches guided and urged, sprinting between drills before a mild sun tucked itself back behind the clouds.
It’s a special time of year. Just ask Mendenhall.
“Everybody’s undefeated at this point,” UNM’s head coach said in a post-practice media availability. “History of programs, history of teams doesn’t matter. Each team and each staff gets to redefine what their goals are, what their expectations are and what their future is.”
Here are takeaways, notes and quotes from the first of the Lobos’ 15 practice sessions this spring, with a focus on the offense:
QB ROOM: It’s relatively clear Devon Dampier is at the front of the quarterback room. It’s seen in the way he’s used; heard in the tone coaches adopt to speak about him.
“He’s dynamic, he’s smart, he’s capable,” Mendenhall said. “He has natural leadership skills, he can make all the throws and I love his decision-making. So, so much to work with in a positive way.”
None of that is much of a surprise given what Dampier did down the stretch last season. What might be is that Justin Holaday — a three-game starter in 2022 who played just four snaps last season — took almost all of the second-team reps on Tuesday.
“To this point, Justin Holaday is really doing a nice job in terms of competition and making plays and just work ethic,” Mendenhall said. “Again, we’ve had one spring practice, so in terms of context (it’s) way, way early, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far.”
OUT OF THE BACKFIELD: How surprised can you be if you don’t know what to expect? That thought was squarely on the mind watching UNM…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/unm-football-notes-quotes-takeways-030100372.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2024-03-27 03:01:00
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