Veteran leader vows to be back
By Brad Moore
TRIBUNE WRITER
A valuable New Mexico defender returned to full-scale practice for the Lobos, determined to provide his teammates with more than vocal encouragement in Friday night's clash with Colorado State.
Fifth-year senior safety Terrell Golden, who has played in 45 games and started 34, missed the first game of his career last week against UNLV when a sprained arch in his right foot kept him out. But he participated in drills Wednesday.
Golden, who suffered the injury in the previous game against Utah on Oct. 25, watched from the sideline Saturday as his teammates struggled through a 37-35 loss.
"I can't even really describe how hard it was watching," said Golden, who has 179 career tackles, including 28 this season. "It was like I was standing over there lifeless.
"All I could do was try to give some type of vocal leadership."
Leadership is one of Golden's most valuable assets on the field, which is why Lobos coach Rocky Long says he hopes the seasoned senior team captain will be healthy enough to play effectively in Friday night's showdown on ESPN2, when the Lobos and Rams will be trying to stay alive in the Mountain West Conference title race.
"If he's close to 100 percent, that will be very good news," Long said. "Terrell's a good, smart football player with a lot of experience."
At Tuesday's practice, Golden was unable to participate in most drills. But on Wednesday, he said the foot felt much better as he made it through the practice without a noticeable limp.
"I missed one game," Golden said. "I'm not missing two."
Golden is no stranger to playing with pain. During his career, he has torn ligaments in both shoulders and has torn both quadriceps.
If Golden starts the 35th game of his career Friday night, Long says he and his fellow coaches will be keeping a close eye on him.
"If he's playing somewhat below full speed, it will be up to us to determine how effective he can be," Long said. "I think he'll do everything in his power to stay in there. But he's a smart player, and if he knows he can't get it done, he won't play."
Golden calls this week's game against the defending MWC champion Rams "the type of situation you live for as a player."
"We're going to do everything we can that's fair and between the whistles to win this game," said Golden, who is well known for his astute film study and keen knowledge of the Lobos' intricate defense.
Golden, a three-time academic All-MWC honoree and a Verizon Academic All-Region VI recipient the past two seasons, says composure will be a key factor in beating the Rams, who have won three of four MWC championships since the inception of the league in 1999.
Last week, the Lobos lost their composure for a time against UNLV, when they were whistled for five dead-ball personal foul penalties.
"I don't know if I could have done anything to calm people down or not, but I definitely would have tried," Golden said. "We lost our composure, and it's a goal not to let it happen again.
"There's too much on the line."
By Brad Moore
TRIBUNE WRITER
A valuable New Mexico defender returned to full-scale practice for the Lobos, determined to provide his teammates with more than vocal encouragement in Friday night's clash with Colorado State.
Fifth-year senior safety Terrell Golden, who has played in 45 games and started 34, missed the first game of his career last week against UNLV when a sprained arch in his right foot kept him out. But he participated in drills Wednesday.
Golden, who suffered the injury in the previous game against Utah on Oct. 25, watched from the sideline Saturday as his teammates struggled through a 37-35 loss.
"I can't even really describe how hard it was watching," said Golden, who has 179 career tackles, including 28 this season. "It was like I was standing over there lifeless.
"All I could do was try to give some type of vocal leadership."
Leadership is one of Golden's most valuable assets on the field, which is why Lobos coach Rocky Long says he hopes the seasoned senior team captain will be healthy enough to play effectively in Friday night's showdown on ESPN2, when the Lobos and Rams will be trying to stay alive in the Mountain West Conference title race.
"If he's close to 100 percent, that will be very good news," Long said. "Terrell's a good, smart football player with a lot of experience."
At Tuesday's practice, Golden was unable to participate in most drills. But on Wednesday, he said the foot felt much better as he made it through the practice without a noticeable limp.
"I missed one game," Golden said. "I'm not missing two."
Golden is no stranger to playing with pain. During his career, he has torn ligaments in both shoulders and has torn both quadriceps.
If Golden starts the 35th game of his career Friday night, Long says he and his fellow coaches will be keeping a close eye on him.
"If he's playing somewhat below full speed, it will be up to us to determine how effective he can be," Long said. "I think he'll do everything in his power to stay in there. But he's a smart player, and if he knows he can't get it done, he won't play."
Golden calls this week's game against the defending MWC champion Rams "the type of situation you live for as a player."
"We're going to do everything we can that's fair and between the whistles to win this game," said Golden, who is well known for his astute film study and keen knowledge of the Lobos' intricate defense.
Golden, a three-time academic All-MWC honoree and a Verizon Academic All-Region VI recipient the past two seasons, says composure will be a key factor in beating the Rams, who have won three of four MWC championships since the inception of the league in 1999.
Last week, the Lobos lost their composure for a time against UNLV, when they were whistled for five dead-ball personal foul penalties.
"I don't know if I could have done anything to calm people down or not, but I definitely would have tried," Golden said. "We lost our composure, and it's a goal not to let it happen again.
"There's too much on the line."
