New Mexico Opens Football Season with MVSU Delta Devils

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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- There's been plenty leading up to it, but the 2015 football season for The University of New Mexico finally gets under way at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday night when the Lobos will take on the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils from Itta Bena, Miss. at Branch Field at University Stadium.

While most folks associated as fans of the Lobos might not know too much about Mississippi Valley State other than that one pretty famous wide receiver who won a bunch of Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers named Jerry Rice, the coaching staff has certainly been prepping, but there are still some unknowns with the first time opponent.



In speaking of MVSU and head coach Rick Comegy, Davie said, "Last year was his first year at Mississippi Valley State and he had a lot of success at Jackson State. He won the SWAC title his last year at Jackson State. He has his whole coaching staff together, which took him about a year. They are going to line up and throw the heck out of the ball."

In that regard, MVSU might be the FCS equivalent offensively of what UNM might see from future opponents in the non-conference season in Tulsa, Arizona State and New Mexico State. The Delta Devils scored just 17.7 points per game last year, but with new coordinators in place, that is the first stat the team in green is looking to change. Of course, for a UNM defense that went from 43 points allowed vs. non-ranked teams in 2013 to just 28.5 against unranked teams in 2014, a bit of the unknown should be a good test.

"I'm looking for them to run a lot of empty set, no back things. It'll be a good test. With two new coordinators we think we know what they are going to do but we really don't know," said Davie.

With this the first of seven home games, Davie does like how the table is set for his team. The team still has momentum from last year's thriller against Wyoming to close out the campaign, a 36-30 barnburner that UNM won with a goalline stand. It all leads up to the start of year four. Davie is happy to be there.

"I feel pretty good," said Bob Davie to a large media contingent at his weekly press luncheon. "Because the plan has gone as well as I had hoped it would go, so now it's fun to just go play."

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS