Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE
COACH: DeWayne Walker — At NMSU and overall: 9-29, 3 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jerry McManus
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: David Elson
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1960, Border Conference
LAST BOWL: 1960, Sun
RETURNING STARTERS: 9; 3 offense, 4 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Andrew Manley, WR Austin Franklin, WR Kemonte Bateman, LT Davonte Wallace, RT Andrew Kersten, DE Donte Savage, LB B.J. Adolpho
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Manley is a potential all-league quarterback who averaged nearly 300 yards per game in three starts before tearing his ACL in 2011. Franklin and Bateman can stretch the field and open things up. Savage could be a needed pass rusher, and the schedule is as favorable as it’s been in years.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: It’s hard to imagine NMSU’s offense can survive a Manley injury this fall. The kicking game isn’t stable. The team lost its top two rushers, top three receivers and 15 regular starters overall. The defense doesn’t have much experience in the secondary.
