Take Five: Getting to know New Mexico

AP PHOTO

New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie is sacked earlier this season by a pair of Tulsa defenders in a 44-10 defeat earlier this season. The senior will be at the helm of the Lobos’ offense this weekend as they attempt to get off the ground from an 0-6 start against 2-5 UNLV.

By Ryan Greene

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.

Killin Time: Michael Johnson

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Christine Killimayer sits down with UNLV sophomore wide receiver Michael Johnson.

Utah vs UNLV

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With an improved defensive performance, in which the Rebels forced five fumbles and recovered two, the UNLV offense stalled, scoring just one touchdown on five trips to the redzone in a 35-15 loss to No. 24 Utah Saturday night.

Fans might wonder why today’s Mountain West game between UNLV (2-5) and New Mexico (0-6) is being televised.

You could look at the meeting in Albuquerque as a train wreck, simply not allowing you to look away. Or you can take a closer look and see that story lines sprout up all over the place in this matchup.

It’s the stoppable force vs. the movable object.

The Rebels will enter carrying the burden of a 20-game road losing streak in conference games, which is the longest such stretch in the nation.

On the other hand, New Mexico has lost 10 consecutive games, dating back to a four-game slide to finish last season.

Either way, one of those vicious trends is coming to an end today.

Here’s a look at the story behind the Futility Bowl:

1) Spread or bust

Under first-year coach Mike Locksley — who will miss this week’s game while serving a 10-day suspension following an altercation with one of his assistants — the Lobos have gone full blast into the trendy spread offense.

As offensive coordinator at Illinois for the past four seasons, Locksley was the mastermind behind that team’s offensive explosion. But his offense is taking time to get off the ground in Albuquerque.

The Lobos’ average of 296.33 yards per game ranks 110th out of 120 schools in Division I-A (now officially the Football Bowl Subdivision), and they’re 104th in passing efficiency and 118th in scoring offense, producing only 87 points in six games.

Still, interim coach George Barlow said this week the team will stick with senior Donovan Porterie as its starting quarterback, rather than going to redshirt freshman B.R. Holbrook, who learned the spread in high school.

Porterie has a 109.5 quarterback rating this season, which ranks him 96th in the nation.

2) Speaking of Porterie

There may be a big game or two left in the quarterback’s right arm.

He had a breakout sophomore season, throwing for 3,006 yards and leading the Lobos to the New Mexico Bowl. In the bowl victory against UNR, Porterie was the offensive MVP, with 354 passing yards and two touchdowns.

But he tore two ligaments in his right knee last season, cutting short his junior campaign. Because he had already played four games, he wasn’t eligible for a medical redshirt.

The closest he’s come to showing that 2007 form this season was in a 48-28 loss at Texas Tech on Oct. 3.

Despite the blowout defeat, Porterie completed 30 of his 56 pass attempts for 316 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

3) The dish on Barlow

For one game, Barlow — who also is in charge of the Lobos’ defensive backs — will get to show his chops as the man in charge.

Granted, the change from Locksley to Barlow probably won’t change much in terms of philosophy, but it will be interesting to see how the team responds.

Barlow spent the past 10 seasons at James Madison, including stints as running backs coach, defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. In his final season the Dukes were one of the top-ranked teams in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), finishing 12-2 and falling to Montana in the national semifinals.

4) Sounds familiar

In recent weeks a couple of prominent offenses have padded their stats against a porous UNLV defense. The Rebels have an opportunity to turn the tables this weekend.

New Mexico has come within 20 points of only one of its opponents this season — a 20-17 loss to rival New Mexico State.

UNLV is 112th in the nation in total defense, but New Mexico isn’t faring much better, coming into this weekend ranked 108th while allowing 430.33 yards per game. New Mexico’s 107th-ranked pass defense is without senior star Ian Clark, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

And while the Rebels have forced just eight turnovers in seven games, the Lobos have only nine in six contests.

This could bode well for UNLV junior quarterback Omar Clayton, who’s struggled with turnovers this season after doing such a good job taking care of the ball in 2008.

5) It doesn't get any easier ... for either team

If both teams are coming into this game looking for a much-needed pick-me-up in the middle of a long season, this could be the best opportunity on each side.

After this weekend, the only “easy” game for these teams is against San Diego State (2-4), which is unlikely to make a postseason appearance.

Both still have to travel to face league powerhouse TCU, and New Mexico also has a road game at Utah and a home date with BYU. UNLV still must face Colorado State and Air Force.