All-Time All-Mountain West New Mexico Team
Who were the best two-deep in 20 years of Mountain West players for the Lob?
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The best Lobos players ever, in the Mountain West.
The Mountain West is 20 years in and with that being a milestone year we decided to look back at the league and do a lot of cool stuff including creating the ultimate two-deep.
Up next is the New Mexico Lobos who have been in the Mountain West since its inception from 1999.
We are going alphabetically with current teams and then do **gasp** BYU, TCU, and Utah at the end. Going through and creating the list our writers could use any criteria they liked.
So, it could be All-American awards, all-conference, career stats or season-long stats especially for teams that had players who played in the WAC and then came into the Mountain West.
We also include coaches and most outstanding offensive, defensive and special teams players.
All-time Coach
Rocky Long – He was the starting QB for the Lobos in 1969-1971. Long left UCLA as Defensive Coordinator for his first head coaching job at UNM in 1997. He was a perfect fit for the Lobos after the departure of Dennis Franchione to TCU.
He would go on to win 65 games over 11 seasons, the most wins of any Lobo football coach in UNM history. He led the Lobos to three straight bowl games a first in program history. The Lobos were bowl eligible for seven straight seasons (2001-2007) another record for UNM.
In 2007, the Lobos under Long would win its first bowl game in 46 years defeating the Nevada Wolf pack in the New Mexico Bowl. His teams personified Coach Long’s personality as being both mentally & physically strong on the gridiron. It proved to be a recipe for success.
Top Assistants with the biggest impact on Lobo football programs
Bronco Mendenhall (1998-2002) He was the defensive coordinator for the University of New Mexico, where he and head coach Rocky Long developed a blitz-happy 3-3-5 defensive scheme that produced NFL first-round draft pick Brian Urlacher, who played in New Mexico’s “Loboback” position, a cross between a linebacker and safety.
Bob Debesse (2012–2017) He was an offensive coordinator the Lobos. The Lobos rushing offense finished fifth nationally in 2012, fourth in 2013, fifth in 2014, ninth in 2015 and first in 2016. The 2016 Lobos set a school record for points (477) and scoring average, averaging 36.7 points per game, and also featured two 1,000 yard rushers for the first time in school history. In 2017, the Lobos’ again finished in the top 20 nationally in rushing offense, averaging over 230 yards per game on the ground.
Most Outstanding Offensive player
RB Dontrell Moore – played for the Lobos from 2002-2005 He was one of 57 athletes from 33 states selected to Parade Magazine’s 2000 All-America’s team as a Roswell Coyote in High School with over 6000 yards rushing. He finished as UNM’s all-time leading rusher with over 4,956 yards (13th in NCAA History) averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 51 touchdowns.
He was 2002 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year and he was 2005 MWC Offensive Player of the year, earning first team MWC four times. Moore was just the sixth player in NCAA history to rush 1,000 yards four times. He was named to Sports Illustrated “All-American team in 2005.
Most outstanding Defensive player
Brian Urlacher – He played for the Lobos from 1997-1999. Urlacher played for Rocky Long for Long’s first two years as head coach at New Mexico. Long would bring his attacking 3-3-5 defense with Urlacher playing the Lobo-Back, a cross between the linebacker and free safety. He would flourish at this position become a 1999 Consensus All-American.
Urlacher led the nation with 178 tackles during his junior year, and also set a school record for most tackles in a single season. He finished his career with 442 tackles, three interceptions, 11 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles Before he was drafted by the Chicago Bears, he showed up at the 2000 NFL Combine in Indianapolis at a very chiseled 6’3 ¾, 258 nearly 20 pounds more than he weighed in his last college game.
He ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash and the scouts jaws dropped. He would end up being drafted 1st round, 9th overall of the 2000 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. 13 years later, 8 pro bowls and being inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Not bad for a kid from a 3A small school in Lovington, New Mexico, with just a single scholarship offer.
First-team Offense
QB Casey Kelly (2000-2003) – 5,686 yards, 36 TD’s UNM All-time winningest QB with 19 victories.
RB Dontrell Moore (2002-2005) – UNM All-time career rushing leader 4,973 yards, 51 TD’s and 857 Receptions plus 8 receiving TD’s.
RB Rodney Ferguson (2004-2008) – UNM 3rd All-time Career rushing leader with 3,564 yards 34 TD’s. His 1,234 yards are seventh-best. Single game-best was 210 yards against SDSU in 2006.
WR Hank Baskett (2002-2005) – 140 receptions UNM, 3rd all-time leader with 2,288 receiving yards, 17 TD’s and played NFL Philadelphia Eagles 2006-2009.
WR Marcus Smith ( 2004-2007) – UNM 4th all-time leader with career 2,073 career yards, 153 receptions and holds single-season record with 91 receptions 2007
TE Lucas Reed (2009-2012) – 77 receptions 949 yards 12.3 and 6 TD’s
OL Jason Lenzmeier (2000-2003) – All 1st Team MWC 2003
OL Claude Terrell (2003-2004) – 1st team All-Mountain West Conference. 2004 he was arguably the best MWC lineman playing tackle for the first time. In 2003 notched 125 knockdown blocks. Played for the St Louis Rams (2005-2007) played 20 games, starting 13.
OL Ryan Cook (2002-2005) – All-Mountain West first-team honors at center for three years. 416 career knockdown blocks. A second-round draft pick by Minnesota Vikings and played four years. Also played for the Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys from 2011-2013.
OL Robert Turner (2003) – First team All MW team. All American Candidate. Three-year letterman. Signed with the NY Jests un-drafted free agent from 2007-2011. Also played (2012-2014) for the St Louis Rams, Tenn Titans, and Chicago Bears.
OL Byron Bell (2010) – Honorable-mention All-MWC. Undrafted 2011 signed with Carolina Panthers (2011-2014) named starter after the second game.
First-team Defense
DL Michael Tuohy ( 2004-2007) – 20.5 Career Sacks 38 career tackles for loss
DL Daniel Kegler (2001-2003) – 16 Career Sacks 34.5 career tackles for loss
DL Nik D’Avanzo (2016) – 61 tackles 9 being for loss required double teams by opposing teams. 3Yr Starter for the Lobos
DL Brian Johnson (2000) – 2 time All MWC lineman selection He was four-year collegiate letterman, three year starter. San Jose SaberCats (2002-2008)
LB Quincy Black (2004-2005) – played Lobo back for Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 Hybrid of Safety and linebacker. Lead MWC 114 tackles (2006) drafted drafted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3rd round.
LB Carmen Messina (2008-2011) 1st team All MWC 162 individual tackles 3rd all time at UNM & MWC tackles leader 454 tackles. Detroit Lions 2012
LB Nick Speegle (2001-2004) 317 career tackles 38.5 career tackles for loss (includes sacks) 2005-2006 Cleveland Browns
DB Brian Urlacher (1996-1999) played LB/FS hybrid 442 Career tackles 1998 178 season tackles. All American honors in both 1998 & 1999 Consensus First Team All America. Chicago Bears 13 years, 8 time pro bowl and inducted in (2008) Hall of Fame after 1st ballet.
DB Brandon Ratcliff RIP (1999-2003) MWC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2000 216 tackles, seven interceptions, 14 pass break-ups, 22.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 39 games (32 starts), playing both the wolf (strong) and lobo (free) safety positions. He also averaged 21.6 yards on 35 career kickoff returns with a long of 44.
DB Glover Quin (2006-2008) All MWC 156 total tackles 95 solo tackles 12 passes broken up Houston Texans (2009-2012) Detroit Lions (2013-present) Pro bowl 2014 NFL interceptions leader 2014
DB DeAndre Wright (2005-2008) All MWC 162 tackles 95 solo tackles led the team with 12 passes defended (3 interceptions, 9 break ups) and allowed just six pass completions of 15 yards or more all season.
First-team Special teams
Punter Corey Bojorquez (2016-2017) 67 3,170 yards 47.3 punting average
Kicker Jason Sanders Career (2014-2017) 111-112 XP 99.1% 25-35 FG 71.4% 186 Points
Punt Returner Marcus Hayes (2018) 21.2 yards per return
Kick off Returner Carlos Wiggins (2013) 44 returns 1303 yards (NCAA leader) 29.6 average.
Second-team Offense
QB Donovan Porterie (2006-2009) – 6,756 Career yards, 33 TD’s with14 wins. Best single season yards 3,006 (2007)
RB Kasey Carrier (2009-2013) – 5th All-time in career rushing yards with 3,233 and also 26 TD’s. All-time single-season leader. All time single game leader 338 yards (Air Force 2012)
RB Teriyon Gibson (2013-2016) – 6th all-time in rushing leader with 3,148 yards. 4th All-time single-season rushing leader with 1.269 yards. Single game-best 217 yards and averaged 8.8 yards per carry. In 2016 had 42 receptions and 387 yards
WR Travis Brown (2004-2007) – 182 receptions which is 5th all-time. 2,192 career reception yards, 12 career TD’s and 76 receptions in his senior year.
WR Dwight Counter (2000-2003) – 122 receptions which, 2,101 receiving yards and 14 career TD’s
TE John Mulchrone (2005-2006) – 32 receptions, 414 yards and 3 TD’s
OL Dillon Farrell (2009-2013) – Two-time honorable mention All-Mountain West. Led an offensive line that helped the Lobos rank seventh nationally in rushing yards per game (308.8 ypg). San Francisco 49ers (2014-2015)
OL Erik Cook (2003) – First-team All-Mountain West One of the top offensive lineman in the MWC earning 1st team all-MWC honors had 88 knockdowns blocks (7.3 avg) and 18 extra effort play’s in 12 starts at center. Drafted 22nd pick 7th round by Redskins.
OL Terrance Pennington (2002-2005) – 6-7, 325-pound tackle was a two-year starter for the Lobos and averaged a career-high 6.5 knockdown blocks per game as a senior. Buffalo Bills (2006) Atlanta Falcons (2007-2008)
OL Devin Clark (2007) – First-team All-Mountain West Washington Redskins (2008)
OL Aaron Jenkins (2014-2018) – All-Mountain West West. Played in 51 games which is more than anyone in UNM Football history. Most starts with 49 as well.
Second-team Defense
DL D J Renteria (2000-2003) All MWC Second on the defensive line with 37 tackles (22 solo), including 10 for loss (-40 yards) Also has 2.5 sacks.
DL Tyler Donaldson (2005-2007) All-MW. 120 tackles, 54 Solo and 24.5 for loss.
DL Marcus Parker (2005) 24 tackles, 10 solo and 7.5 for loss.
DL Garrett Hughes (2014-2017) All MW with 65 tackles, 34 solo and 15 for loss.
DB Gabriel Fulbright RIP (2002-2005) All MWC three times 135 tackles, 14 interceptions, 15 passes broken up and played in 47 games with 33 starts.
LB Dakota Cox (2013-2016) All MW. 403 career tackles and 185 Solo tackles.
LB Gary Davis (2000-2001) All MW 1st team team-high 100 tackles and he led the league with eight sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
LB Charles Moss (1999-2002) All MW 1st Team 2002
DB Frankie Soloman (2006-2009) 220 tackles, 126 Solo 3.5 for a loss, 229 yards on 41 punt returns and 908 kick returns for a 22.1 average.
DB Stephen Persley (1999-2001) All-MW 2001. Had nine career interceptions with 12 passes broken up.
DB Cranston Jones (2012-2015) All MW 110 tackles 76 solos, eight interceptions, two touchdowns. Twenty-four career starts and was named a 2013 Academic All-Mountain West selection.
DB Brandon Payne (2003-2004) 1st team All MW, six interceptions, 2004 Second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football. Just the second UNM defensive back to capture All-America honors, joining Brian Urlacher in 1998 and 1999.
DB Daniel Henry (2014-2016) All MW 145 tackles , 91 solo and was tied for second with four passes broken up.
Second-team Special teams
Punter Ben Skaer (2013) – 47 punts, 2,152 yards, 45.9 average per punt.
Kicker Kenny Byrd (2002-2006) 90-96 XP 93.8%. 33-40 field goals at 82.5% for 189 Points
K Kenny Byrd (2002-2006) All MW. Best season was 19 field goals made. for his career was 33-41 for 80.5% 189 points Byrd would go on with a stellar reputation for being one of the best clutch game-winning kickers ever for the Lobos.
Punt Returner Ian Clark (2008) 19.7 yards per return
Chase Clayton (2012) 20 returns 608 yards 30.4 average
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