Jaguars face Lobos in first match

 
After spring, summer and fall training the jaguar football team are finally going to hit someone other than each other as they travel to Albuquerque to take on the University of New Mexico.
The Jaguars are coming of a 4-7 (4-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) season, are projected to finish fourth in the western Division, and have fifteen players returning from last year’s squad.
They will have the opportunity to surprise the other opponents this year, with a “must-win” season at stake for Head Coach Stump Mitchell, who is entering into his final season as head coach for the Jaguars.
In his three years, Mitchell has accumulated a 6-16 record, and is in the hot seat, coach is well aware of his situation and understands the demand and believes that this year’s team can win games.
Saturday’s game will be the first meeting between University of New Mexico and Southern.
The Lobos are 9-2 against Football Championship Subdivision Schools since 1990. However, UNM has lost two of its last three games against FCS schools, including a 48-45 overtime defeat to Sam Houston State last year.
Also the Lobos will be without starting cornerback, Devonta Tabannah, who was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence, after being cited for running a red light and his inability to present proof of insurance and driving with out a license, according to an Albuquerque Journal online edition post.
The Lobos will also be without senior defensive linemen Rod Davis and Fatu  Ulale  for impermissible benefit violations  last season.
Junior backup quarterback David Vega will not be of any use to the Lobos offense following his indefinite suspension for underage drinking.
“They’re old enough to know right from wrong and the reality is it’s illegal to do that. Even though they were told to do that, and even though the account was given to them to use, it’s a mistake,” said New Mexico first year Head Coach Bob Davie in an interview with Albuquerque’s CBS affiliate, KRQE News 13.
The Jaguars have a few injuries that may hurt them in their contest against the Lobos Saturday with Sylvester Nzekwe (ankle), RB Jerry Joseph (knee) who will be back for the Jaguars home opener against Mississippi Valley State on September 13 and RT Taylon Jones (concussion) will be out indefinitely.
Coach Mitchell also cited junior quarterback Dray Joseph as key to the Jaguar offense as starter, he will have to be the sole play caller of the Jaguar offense unless injured.
When asked if there was a possibility if sophomore quarterback J.P. Douglass would see any playing time Mitchell said, “None. There is absolutely no situation where he would play other than if Dray gets hurt”.
The Jaguars will face the Lobos tomorrow at 4:06 p.m. Central Time at Branch Field.