Who has the edge? Breaking down New Mexico-Utah State by position
Nov. 23—A position-by-position look at who has the edge as New Mexico closes the regular season against Utah State:
Quarterback
Utah State
Projected starter: Cooper Legas, Grad.
Backup: McCae Hillstead, Fr.
New Mexico
Projected starter: Dylan Hopkins, R-Sr.
Backup: Devon Dampier, Fr.
Analysis: Injuries have ravaged Utah State all season long and that reality won't change with one game left. Longtime starter Cooper Legas (shoulder) and backup McCae Hillstead (ankle) both left last week's 45-10 loss to Boise State with injuries, leaving third-stringer Levi Williams (2-for-5 passing, 28 yards) to finish the job.
Utah State head coach Blake Anderson indicated both would be game-time decisions, potentially setting up UNM's second straight game against a backup.
"We've got to have a plan to win with or without one or both of them," Anderson told the Deseret News earlier this week.
Advantage: I don't think both Legas and Hillstead will be held off the field come Friday. But that uncertainty paired with what Dylan Hopkins and Devon Dampier did in tandem last week swings this one well in favor of UNM. New Mexico
Running backs
Utah State
Projected starter: Davon Booth, Jr.
Backup: Robert Briggs Jr., So.
New Mexico
Projected starter: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Sr.
Backup: Andrew Henry, Sr.
Analysis/advantage: Utah State's ground game might deserve more credit than it gets. But when all three of the Aggies backs on the depth chart are questionable and Jacory Croskey-Merritt goes for 209 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 25-17 win over Fresno State, any perceived advantage is out of the question. New Mexico
Wide receiver
Utah State
Projected starters: Jalen Royals, Jr. (WR), Terrell Vaughn, Sr. (SLOT), Micah Davis, Jr. (WR)
Backups: Otto Tia, So. (WR), Kyrese Rowan, Jr. (SLOT), Colby Bowman, Grad. (WR)
New Mexico
Projected starters: D.J. Washington, Sr. (X), Caleb Medford, So. (Z), Jeremiah Hixon, R-Sr. (A)
Backups: Duece Jones, R-Jr. (X), Andrew Erickson, R-Sr. (Z), Kaydin Pope, Fr. (A)
Analysis: The slow, steady rise of Caleb Medford, through the eyes of wide receivers coach Cornelius Williams:
"When he came in from TCU, he didn't have the right attitude — was kinda lazy and going through the motions, had to be pushed all the time," Williams said this week. "And as the summer went on, it got a little bit better. Then fall camp came — (it) got better.
"Then he wasn't starting. Lost his job. The thing that he did, he was just like, 'alright, I'm gonna work' ... And it's actually an awesome thing to see, because he worked his butt off to earn his starting position back and as the season goes on, he gets baptized.
"I mean, he has become a completely different person than when he got here."
Medford (29 receptions, 526 yards, two touchdowns) will likely finish the season as UNM's leading receiver in yards and yards per catch. There was hope for the Lobos' wide receiver room heading into the season and even if there were some rough patches, there's more going forward.
Analysis: ... that being said, the promise isn't enough for an edge — at least for now. Utah State has had plenty of good receivers come through their doors but even in a down year, Jalen Royals (61 receptions, 934 yards, 12 touchdowns), Terrell Vaughn (75 receptions, 805 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Micah Davis (36 receptions, 628 yards, six touchdowns) is one of their best groups in recent memory. Utah State
Offensive line
Utah State
Projected starters: Ralph Frias III, Grad. (LT), Wyatt Bowles, Sr. (LG), Falepule Alo, Sr. (C), Tavo Motu'apuaka, Fr. (RG), Cole Motes, Jr. OR Teague Andersen, Fr.
Backups: Calvin Knapp, Grad. (LT), Wade Meacham, Grad. (LG), Aloali'i Maui, So. (C), Aloali'i Maui, So. (RG), Shively Asoau Fua, Jr. (RT)
New Mexico
Projected starters: JC Davis, Jr. (LT), Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (LG), CJ James, Jr. (C), Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (RG), Devon Smith, Jr. (RT)
Backups: Jer'Marques Bailey, R-Jr. (LT), Reese Steele, Jr. (LG), Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford (C) , Travis Gray, Fr. (RT)
Analysis: For most teams, 350 yards of offense is a good night.
"But 350 yards of rushing offense," offensive line coach Cam Blankenship said this week, "that's something that I don't take lightly."
As good as Croskey-Merritt was against Fresno State, UNM's offensive line might've been better. Both Gonzales and Blankenship noted last week that the challenge for their front was to simply assert their will against the Bulldogs.
Well, they did.
"It was the first game we really just said, 'alright, screw you, we're gonna impose our will,'" Blankenship added. "Getting (Croskey-Merritt) going, getting (Andrew Henry) going, hell, getting (Devon Dampier) going. We didn't block everything perfect but they were flying off the football.
"They were trying to finish people. And that comes with the confidence running the ball (gives you)."
Advantage: Utah State went from one of the Mountain West's strongest offensive lines in 2022 to one of its worst in 2023. Vice versa for UNM. New Mexico
Tight ends
Utah State
Projected starter: Broc Lane, Jr. OR Josh Sterzer, Sr.
Backup: Will Monney, Fr.
New Mexico
Projected starters: Trace Bruckler, R-So. (Y), Wyatt McClour, So. (U)
Backups: Everett Hunter, So. OR Magnus Geers, Jr. (Y), Caleb Marra, R-Jr. (U)
Analysis/Advantage: UNM's tight end room is about as healthy as it can be with one game left. Utah State's has been more productive on the year — if only for Broc Lane. Draw
Defensive line
Utah State
Projected starters: Paul Fitzgerald, Fr. (DE), Seni Tuiaki, So. (DT), Hale Motu'apuaka, Sr. (DT), Cian Slone, Jr. (DE)
Backups: Enoka Migao, So. (DE), Poukesi Vakauta, Sr. (DT), Sir Mells, R-Fr. (DT), Blaine Spires, Jr. (DE)
New Mexico
Projected starters: Gabriel Lopez, R-Jr. (LE), Tyler Kiehne, R-So. (NT), Kyler Drake, R-Jr. (RE)
Backups: Hunter Rapolla, Jr. (LE), Tavien Ford, Jr. (NT), Destin Gainer, R-Jr. (RE)
Analysis: There's a good argument to be made that the Lobos' biggest win in years was as much about doing what they hadn't done as opposed to not doing what they've done — in other words, not shooting themselves in the foot.
Because for the first time in a long time, the Lobos shuffled the lines and consistently got pressure with a four-man rush. And now, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), they're rated as only the second worst pass rushing team in the country, with Old Dominion now behind them.
Advantage: Will the Lobos take the same approach this Friday as they did last week? Probably not. But Utah State's pass rush isn't far from the bottom of the country either — 124th overall, per PFF. Factor in how much the Aggies have struggled against the run this year (186.5 rushing yards allowed per game) and for the first time in weeks, there's a slim edge in the trenches for UNM. New Mexico
Linebackers
Utah State
Projected starters: Anthony Switzer, R-Jr. (WILL), MJ Tafisi Jr., Grad. (MIKE), Jaiden Francois, Jr. (SAM)
Backups: Gavin Barthiel, So. (WILL), Cole Joyce, So. (MIKE), Logan Pili, R-Fr. (SAM)
New Mexico
Projected starters: Dimitri Johnson, Jr. (LLB), Milhalis Santorineos, So. (MLB), Syaire Riley, Sr. OR Ja'Shon Lowery, R-So. (RLB)
Backups: Tate Zimmerman, So. (LLB), Alec Marenco, Jr. (MLB), Milhalis Santorineos, So. (RLB)
Analysis/Advantage: Sixth year senior M.J. Fafisi Jr. is having a monster final year in the middle of Utah State's defense with 120 total tackles (47 solo, 73 assists). But with second-leading tackler Anthony Switzer still listed as questionable on Thursday (has it been mentioned that the Aggies are banged up?), UNM has enough to force a stalemate here. Draw
Secondary
Utah State
Projected starters: Avante Dickerson, R-So. (CB), Ike Larsen, So. (BS), Devin Dye, So. (FS), Michael Anyanwu, Grad. (CB)
Backups: JD Drew, Fr. (CB), Tegg Slone, So. (BS), Simeon Harris, So. (FS), Jaylen Martin, Jr. (CB)
New Mexico
Projected starters: Zach Morris, So. (LCB), Christian Ellis, So. (LWOLF), Dereck Moore, Fr. (LOBO), Jermarius Lewis (RWOLF), Donte Martin (RCB)
Backups: Hunter Sellers, R-So. (LCB), Noa Pola-Gates, Sr. (LWOLF), David Murphy, R-Fr. (LOBO), Aaron Smith (RWOLF), Bryson Taylor (RCB)
Analysis/Advantage: The numbers on Utah State's secondary are decidedly middle of the pack, with the Aggies allowing an average of 217.8 passing yards per game, and the Aggies' star safety Ike Larsen is questionable. Still, the Lobos haven't been able to routinely stack strong performances on the back end. And inconsistency isn't enough for an edge. Utah State
Utah State (5-6, 3-4) depth chart
OFFENSE
WR Jaylen Royals, Jr. (1)
Otto Tia, So. (15)
Grant Page, R-Fr. (23)
SLOT Terrell Vaughn, Sr. (0)
Kyrese Rowan, Jr. (26)
Ryder MacGillivray, So. (84)
LT Ralph Frias III, Grad. (77)
Calvin Knapp, Grad. (72)
LG Wyatt Bowles, Sr. (60)
Wade Meacham, Grad. (79)
C Falepule Alo, Sr. (69)
Aloali'i Maui, So. (62)
RG Tavo Motu'apuaka, Fr. (65)
Aloali'i Maui, So. (62)
RT Cole Motes, Jr. (56) OR Teague Andersen, Fr. (54)
Shively Asoau Fua, Jr. (58)
TE Broc Lane, Jr. (87) OR Josh Sterzer, Sr. (83)
Will Monney, Fr. (86)
WR Micah Davis, Jr. (4)
Colby Bowman, Grad. (8)
RB Davon Booth, Jr. (6)
Robert Briggs Jr., So. (2)
Rahsul Faison, Jr. (3)
QB Cooper Legas, Grad. (5)
McCae Hillstead, Fr. (10)
Levi Williams, Grad. (16)
DEFENSE
DE Paul Fitzgerald, Fr. (32)
Enoka Migao, So. (45)
John Ward, Jr. (42) \
DT Seni Tuiaki, So. (48)
Poukesi Vakauta, Sr. (9)
Siaosi Lauhingoa, Jr. (55)
Clifton Mosley Jr., Jr. (90)
DT Hale Motu'apuaka, Sr. (8)
Sir Mells, R-Fr. (96)
Bo Maile, So. (44)
DE Cian Slone, Jr. (98)
Blaine Spires, Jr. (52)
Ioholani Raass, So. (56)
WILL Anthony Switzer, R-Jr. (3)
Gavin Barthiel, So. (40)
Bronson Olevao Jr., Fr. (14)
MIKE MJ Tafisi Jr., Grad. (2)
Cole Joyce, So. (20)
SAM Jaiden Francois, Jr. (10)
Logan Pili, R-Fr. (27)
CB Avante Dickerson, R-So. (17)
JD Drew, Fr. (18)
Xavion Steele, Grad. (7)
BS Ike Larsen, So. (6)
Tegg Slone, So. (34)
FS Devin Dye, So. (23)
Simeon Harris, So. (12)
CB Michael Anyanwu, Grad. (22)
Jaylen Martin, Jr. (21)
SPECIAL TEAMS
P Ryan Marks, Fr. (47)
Elliott Nimrod, Jr. (89)
K Elliott Nimrod, Jr. (89)
William Testa, Jr. (59)
New Mexico (4-7, 2-5) depth chart
OFFENSE
WR-X D.J. Washington, Sr. (0)
Duece Jones, R-Jr. (14)
LT JC Davis, Jr. (75)
Jer'Marques Bailey, R-Jr. (77)
LG Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. (70) OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
Reese Steele, Jr. (72)
C CJ James, Jr. (51)
Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
RG Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. (70) OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
RT Devon Smith, Jr. (65)
Travis Gray, Fr. (71)
TE-Y Trace Bruckler, R-So. (85)
Everett Hunter, So. (83) OR Magnus Geers, Jr. (17)
TE-U Wyatt McClour, So. (84)
Caleb Marra, R-Jr. (47)
WR-A Jeremiah Hixon, R-Sr. (8)
Ryan Davis, R-Sr. (6)
Kaydin Pope, Fr. (18)
WR-Z Caleb Medford, So. (4)
Andrew Erickson, R-Sr. (11)
QB Dylan Hopkins, R-Sr. (10)
Devon Dampier, Fr. (13)
D.C. Tabscott, R-So. (7)
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Sr. (5)
Sherod White, Sr. (9) OR Andrew Henry, R-Sr. (2) OR Zach Vigil, So. (23)
DEFENSE
LE Gabriel Lopez, R-Jr. (99)
Hunter Rapolla, Jr. (97)
NT Tyler Kiehne, R-So. (90)
Tavien Ford, Jr. (66)
RE Kyler Drake, R-Jr. (45)
Destin Gainer, R-Jr. (93)
LLB Dimitri Johnson, Jr. (16)
Tate Zimmerman, So. (26)
Jayden Wilson, Fr. (24)
MLB Alec Marenco, Jr. (18)
Mihalis Santorineos, So. (21)
RLB Syaire Riley, Sr. (36)
Ja'Shon Lowery, R-So. (50)
Mihalis Santorineos, So. (21)
LCB Zach Morris, So. (2)
Hunter Sellers, R-So. (20)
LWOLF Christian Ellis, So. (22)
Noa Pola-Gates, Sr. (9)
LOBO Dereck Moore, Fr. (11)
David Murphy, R-Fr. (38)
RWOLF Jermarius Lewis, So. (5)
Aaron Smith, Jr. (12)
RCB Donte Martin, R-Sr. (8)
Bryson Taylor, So. (13)
Josh Williamson, R-So. (17)
SPECIAL TEAMS
P Aaron Rodriguez, R-Sr. (10)
Charles Steinkamp, R-So. (27)
K Luke Drzewiecki, So. (94)
Charles Steinkamp, R-So. (27)
