NEW MEXICO STATE OFFENSE

NEW MEXICO STATE DEFENSE

NEW MEXICO STATE SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Playing tag as a youngster, Rogers conceded he was never “it.” His elusiveness and quickness come from his mother, a former sprinter. “I guess it’s genetics,” said Rogers, who has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and is fifth nationally with a 30.88 average. Rogers said he is working toward fulfilling career goals. When he was in third grade, he recalled, a teacher asked about his future aspirations. “I wrote on a piece of paper I wanted to go to the NFL,” he said. “It all starts with a vision.”

Outlook: It will be a game-time decision whether Pollard, who has a tight right hamstring, will play. Pollard brings experience, leadership and a zone-busting crossing pattern. When defenses are in a four-across zone, Pollard often finds the seams with a horizontal route. When a defender tries to jump the middle, he can run upfield. Pollard said he works extensively on his pace. “Half-second faster, half-second slower,” he said of his tactics. “It’s complex. There are many aspects to route-running.” If Pollard can’t play, then freshman Trevor Davis will be activated. Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said Davis “brings a lot to the table. He’s athletic. He has great hands and good speed.” Another freshman, Iosefa, is finding his groove. In the past two games, his yards-after-contact average is 6.2. He also averages 0.78 broken tackles per rush. “What I like about him is he has great quickness,” said Brian Smith, who coaches the running backs. “He has good acceleration out of his cuts. He’s playing a lot more physical. That’s giving him the ability to break tackles.” Or, as Rolovich added: “He delivers punishment. He’s got warrior inside of him.”

Outlook: There is no rest for the Warriors. Last week, Paredes, Brown, Torres and Hardy-Tuliau played all 81 defensive snaps. It was remarkable because Paredes has a partial knee tear, and Brown played the final quarter on a sprained ankle. Paredes is the Warriors’ ironman, having played all but one series the past two seasons. Laurel, who is 13th nationally with 0.83 sacks per game, is playing despite a dislocated pinkie that forms a shaka sign. The two tackles also put in overtime last week. Meatoga and Tuipulotu played 59 and 56 snaps, respectively; they averaged 36 snaps in the previous five games.

Outlook: The Warriors believe they solved their kick-protection problems. They changed the personnel, and returned to an interlocking-leg technique. The next project is improving the kickoffs. Of the 37 kickoffs, two were touchbacks. The average UH kickoff lands at the 15. Their opponents’ average drive starts at the 30. Only two of Dunnachie’s 22 punts have been returned this season.