Surprising New Mexico gets noticed at 5-0

Tim Graham

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 9:39 a.m.

They might as well have been known as the Low Blows ... because that's what it has felt like to be a New Mexico football fan.

The Lobos have not won a conference title in 33 years. In that span, they have managed seven winning seasons, mostly by one or two victories.

But 1997 has been a different campaign for New Mexico. The Albuquerque university is 5-0 and receiving national attention for the first time since World War II. The last time the Lobos were unbeaten through five games was 1945.

If New Mexico can win Saturday night at San Diego State, it will be 6-0 for the first time in its 105-year history. A victory also would extend the Lobos' win streak to an all-time best seven games, insure their second straight winning season for the first time since 1982 and give them their first 3-0 WAC start since 1970.

"This isn't just any other season," punter Jason Bloom said. "There's something about the whole chemistry with the team. Everybody feels right this year."

The feeling was so right at this time last year, too. Behind a padded nonconference schedule, New Mexico started 1996 with three wins, lost to Brigham Young by a field goal, then beat Texas Christian 27-7. But the Lobos lost four of their next five and finished 6-5 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain Division.

That's why head coach Dennis Franchione is quick to remind his players of the past.

"There's no reason for this team to be overconfident against anybody," said Franchione, who is 29-32 in his five-plus years at New Mexico.

The Lobos cruised early this season by trouncing inferior nonconference opposition: 33-10 over Division I-AA Northern Arizona and 61-24 and 38-20 over the Big West's New Mexico State and Utah State, respectively.

Still, New Mexico is one of just 16 undefeated Division I-A teams, is ranked No. 32 and No. 34 in this week's Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN polls and beat Southern Methodist 22-15 Saturday in front of a standing-room only crowd of 33,128 -- the second-largest gathering to see the Lobos at University Stadium.

"I'm not very worried about (our players getting big heads)," Franchione said. "I think our players are mature enough -- and have seen both sides of everything -- that they know we have a chance to win if we prepare and play well -- and we have a chance to lose if we don't do those things."

Free safety Billy Austin, the Mountain Division's reigning defensive player of the week, reflected Franchione's assessment.

"I think everyone knows we can be beat," Austin said. "I think we know we have to work hard as a team in order to continue to have success."

Out of WAC

* HONOR ROLL: Fresno State was honored on both sides of the ball when the Western Athletic Conference announced its players of the week. Fullback Michael Pittman and linebacker A.J. Gass were named the Pacific Division's offensive and defensive stars. In FSU's 27-13 triumph over Utah, Pittman rushed 31 times for 112 yards and caught four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Gass returned from a four-week absence because of hand surgery to record a team-high 14 tackles, including five sacks. The Pacific's special teams player of the week was Colorado State's Geoff Turner, who returned three punts for 99 yards including an 80-yard touchdown. In the Mountain Division, New Mexico safety Billy Austin -- 10 tackles, two caused fumbles -- and kicker Colby Cason -- five field goals -- were honored for their roles in the Lobos' 22-15 victory over Southern Methodist. Brigham Young tight end/fullback Dustin Johnson was named for offense.

* POLL WATCH: Air Force climbed four spots to No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and five spots to No. 18 in the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll. BYU advanced three slots to No. 21 in AP's rankings and two slots to No. 22 in USA Today/ESPN's. Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado State also received votes for each poll.

* GIZZI TIZZY: The Denver Broncos' director of college scouting is Ted Sundquist, a former Air Force fullback. He recently reported the following after analyzing linebacker Chris Gizzi, who plays for his alma mater: "Zach Thomas is starting for Miami (in the NFL) and appears to be his twin. I'm grading middle linebackers right now, and I haven't seen any better. I'm not biased either because I can't afford to be." Gizzi recorded 13 tackles, including one for a loss, Sept. 13 against UNLV despite missing most of the first half to have stitches sewn into his nose.

* TURLEY WHIRL: San Diego State tackle Kyle Turley became a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award last week. Turley, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound senior, made a list of 12 finalists for the honor annually presented to the nation's top lineman. That list will be trimmed to four next month.

* TOP OF THEIR GAMES: Rice running back Michael Perry ranks first in the nation in all-purpose yardage, averaging 216.2 a game. Wyoming free safety Brian Lee leads the country in interceptions with seven in six games. ... Others near the top are Cason (second in field goals made with an average of 2.2 a game) and Hawaii's Chad Shrout (fifth in punting with a 47.2-yard average).

* GRID TIDBITS: The WAC is 21-27 against other conferences and 1-9 versus top 25 nonconference foes. ... In Air Force's 17-3 victory over The Citadel, the Falcons were outgained 367 yards to 302, but forced four turnovers. ... The Air Force-Navy game has been picked up by Fox (KVVU Channel 5) and airs live at 9 a.m. ... Saturday's BYU-Rice game has been moved to 6 p.m. to accommodate ESPN2 (Prime Cable Channel 31). ... In two home games this year, Rice has drawn 106,956 fans. In five games last year, its total attendance was 100,850. ... SMU is playing for its 400th victory in school history Saturday against Utah. ... Wyoming kicker Cory Wedel has yet to miss a collegiate extra point He has been successful on 110 attempts.