Sophomore running back Rodney Ferguson likes the Lobos' chances in the snow.
He grew up playing on icy fields in Michigan before moving to New Mexico, and had one of his better games at Manzano High despite dicey conditions.
"I rushed for 318 yards against Hobbs in the snow," Ferguson said. "I know the trick is just to make your footing good and plow ahead. It's hard to stop someone if you're moving backward on ice."
A blustery forecast for the New Mexico Bowl, which pits the Lobos (6-6, 4-4) against San Jose State (8-4, 5-3) Saturday afternoon at University Stadium, will put more of an emphasis on both teams' rushing games.
"It definitely helps us that Rodney is a big, power running guy," UNM offensive coordinator Bob Toledo said. "I think we'll still be able to pass the ball and run our regular game plan unless it gets real windy or the rain or snow starts coming down too hard.
"But we've been preparing for this all year by having a balanced attack. If we just ran the spread and threw all the time, we'd be in trouble right now."
Ferguson said he will try out some new cleats today and be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws his way.
"I haven't had any trouble finding my footing this week," he said. "I'm ready to play no matter what it's like outside."
San Jose State coach Dick Tomey also said his team should have no trouble handling inclement weather.
"We practice every morning at 6 a.m. and deal with some really cold and wet conditions," he said. "No team in America is better prepared to deal with this kind of weather than we are because we see this all the time."
Spartans running back Yonus Davis said his team will be ready to carry the ball all day if necessary.
"We're not intimidated by the snow," he said. "It's nice to look at and cool to see around Christmas, but that's it. People assume we're not tough and can't handle bad weather because we're from California, but we're used to this kind of thing."
Both teams feature strong rushing offenses and defenses, but neither have played in snow this season.
"I don't think it's going to give either side an advantage," Tomey said. "I think it's going to be a great matchup no matter what the weather is like out there."
Winter wonderland: The Lobos squeezed in 45 minutes of practice Wednesday after school officials used snow plows to clear one of the practice fields.
San Jose State worked out in California before flying to Albuquerque midday Wednesday.
The UNM offense practiced on half the field, while the defense used the other half.
"It pretty much was a walk-through, but we've had enough practices for the bowl game that I don't think this hurts us," Long said.
After the workout, the Lobos indulged in a snow ball fight and used tackling dummies to slide down the hills of pristine snow on the other practice fields.
Lobos sign six: UNM received six national letters of intent during national junior college signing day Wednesday and expect two more letters today.
The following players signed with the Lobos and will enroll at UNM in January:
Linebacker Jacob Bane, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound sophomore from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.
Tight end Trey Buckley, 6-4, 230-pound freshman from El Camino Community College in California.
Offensive lineman Sylvester Hatten, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore from Dodge City Community College in Kansas.
Defensive back Aaron Lenard, who is 5-10 and 180 pounds. He committed to Kansas State last year but went to Cisco Junior College in Texas but did not play. He will be a redshirt freshman next year.
Tight end Tim Merrill, a 6-5, 260-pound sophomore from Fullerton College in California.
Offensive lineman Josh Waller, who is 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. He committed to Louisville last year but did not play. He will be a redshirt freshman next year.
National signing day for high school athletes is in February. Long said he expects to sign at least 21 players in this year's recruiting class, although the departure of freshman running back Amadeus Waters does give the Lobos another open scholarship.
The junior college signees fulfill UNM's needs for offensive lineman, who can potentially replace seniors Robert Turner and Bo Greer, and tight ends, who can replace seniors John Mulchrone and Curtis Pino. Junior tight end Clayton Cardenas was suspended from the team and his future with the program is unknown.
"We're pretty happy with the guys we've picked up so far," Long said. "I think they're going to fill some holes for us."
He grew up playing on icy fields in Michigan before moving to New Mexico, and had one of his better games at Manzano High despite dicey conditions.
"I rushed for 318 yards against Hobbs in the snow," Ferguson said. "I know the trick is just to make your footing good and plow ahead. It's hard to stop someone if you're moving backward on ice."
A blustery forecast for the New Mexico Bowl, which pits the Lobos (6-6, 4-4) against San Jose State (8-4, 5-3) Saturday afternoon at University Stadium, will put more of an emphasis on both teams' rushing games.
"It definitely helps us that Rodney is a big, power running guy," UNM offensive coordinator Bob Toledo said. "I think we'll still be able to pass the ball and run our regular game plan unless it gets real windy or the rain or snow starts coming down too hard.
"But we've been preparing for this all year by having a balanced attack. If we just ran the spread and threw all the time, we'd be in trouble right now."
Ferguson said he will try out some new cleats today and be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws his way.
"I haven't had any trouble finding my footing this week," he said. "I'm ready to play no matter what it's like outside."
San Jose State coach Dick Tomey also said his team should have no trouble handling inclement weather.
"We practice every morning at 6 a.m. and deal with some really cold and wet conditions," he said. "No team in America is better prepared to deal with this kind of weather than we are because we see this all the time."
Spartans running back Yonus Davis said his team will be ready to carry the ball all day if necessary.
"We're not intimidated by the snow," he said. "It's nice to look at and cool to see around Christmas, but that's it. People assume we're not tough and can't handle bad weather because we're from California, but we're used to this kind of thing."
Both teams feature strong rushing offenses and defenses, but neither have played in snow this season.
"I don't think it's going to give either side an advantage," Tomey said. "I think it's going to be a great matchup no matter what the weather is like out there."
Winter wonderland: The Lobos squeezed in 45 minutes of practice Wednesday after school officials used snow plows to clear one of the practice fields.
San Jose State worked out in California before flying to Albuquerque midday Wednesday.
The UNM offense practiced on half the field, while the defense used the other half.
"It pretty much was a walk-through, but we've had enough practices for the bowl game that I don't think this hurts us," Long said.
After the workout, the Lobos indulged in a snow ball fight and used tackling dummies to slide down the hills of pristine snow on the other practice fields.
Lobos sign six: UNM received six national letters of intent during national junior college signing day Wednesday and expect two more letters today.
The following players signed with the Lobos and will enroll at UNM in January:
Linebacker Jacob Bane, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound sophomore from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.
Tight end Trey Buckley, 6-4, 230-pound freshman from El Camino Community College in California.
Offensive lineman Sylvester Hatten, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore from Dodge City Community College in Kansas.
Defensive back Aaron Lenard, who is 5-10 and 180 pounds. He committed to Kansas State last year but went to Cisco Junior College in Texas but did not play. He will be a redshirt freshman next year.
Tight end Tim Merrill, a 6-5, 260-pound sophomore from Fullerton College in California.
Offensive lineman Josh Waller, who is 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. He committed to Louisville last year but did not play. He will be a redshirt freshman next year.
National signing day for high school athletes is in February. Long said he expects to sign at least 21 players in this year's recruiting class, although the departure of freshman running back Amadeus Waters does give the Lobos another open scholarship.
The junior college signees fulfill UNM's needs for offensive lineman, who can potentially replace seniors Robert Turner and Bo Greer, and tight ends, who can replace seniors John Mulchrone and Curtis Pino. Junior tight end Clayton Cardenas was suspended from the team and his future with the program is unknown.
"We're pretty happy with the guys we've picked up so far," Long said. "I think they're going to fill some holes for us."
