Teams won’t run from ground game
PULLMAN — When Washington State and New Mexico squared off in 2003, the passing game was the only way to go. The Cougars managed just 89 yards on the ground in 44 attempts; the Lobos did even worse, with 22 yards in 23 tries.
But don’t think last year’s ugly running stats are going to deter this year’s Cougars and Lobos from grinding it out on the ground.
On the contrary, both teams have stressed the run game. And it just might be the team that has more success that wins tonight’s season opener at 5 p.m. in Albuquerque’s University Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
The Cougars will hand the ball off to Chris Bruhn, a first-time starter after serving as a backup last season. The Lobos, on the other hand, have a returning rusher who has racked up 1,000 yards in two straight seasons. Last year, DonTrell Moore gained 1,450 yards with 19 touchdowns. And in 2002 — as a redshirt freshman — he picked up 1,134 yards with 13 scores.
Moore is a shifty back with a knack for making the first tackler miss, but New Mexico will also attack WSU with the more powerful D.D. Cox, a senior who excels between the tackles.
New Mexico features a new quarterback this season in Kole McKamey, all the more reason for the Lobos to try and improve from last year’s dismal performance on the ground against WSU.
“Obviously we had a lot of trouble running the ball last year and I would assume we’re going to have trouble running the ball this year,” Lobos head coach Rocky Long said, tipping his cap to a talented Cougars defense. “Our offensive game is based on being able to run the ball. If we’re able to run the ball, play-action pass has been good to us in the past.”
New Mexico will probably try to go outside more than in years past, especially with a quarterback like McKamey who can run the option. That prospect has WSU worried, considering Moore’s ability in the open field.
“We just have to stay in our gaps,” defensive tackle Aaron Johnson said. “(Moore) is quick, that’s one thing. We have to keep him inside, because if we let him outside that’s when he gets that speed going.”
The Cougs also have a new quarterback this year in sophomore Josh Swogger, giving their offense the same extra incentive to take pressure off by running the ball.
The Lobos run a complicated, flexing defense that will flash a number of looks. But as Cougars offensive line coach George Yarno recognizes, the best way to take New Mexico out of those fancy formations is to get into short-yardage situations.
“Any time you run the ball effectively, you stay in regular down-and-distance situations, which is harder to defend than when they know you’re passing,” Yarno said.
“To be successful, you have to be able to run the football against anybody. But especially New Mexico, if you can run the ball and control the tempo … you have a better chance of moving the football consistently.”
Notes
The Cougars left for Albuquerque Thursday afternoon, flying out of Spokane instead of Lewiston because of construction at the airport in Idaho. … Steve Dildine will get the start at outside linebacker for the Cougars over Pat Bennett, but they will split time. Gabriel Fulbright, perhaps the Lobos’ most talented cornerback, will start the game on the sidelines but should see the field for much of the night.