University of New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier brings an exciting style of player to the field against the Auburn Tigers this Saturday. In the unfriendly confines of Jordan-Hare, the Lobos quarterback aims to make the raucous crowd sit on their hands and start booing the Tigers. 

Granted, Auburn should dispatch New Mexico with relative ease and little worry. Yet, people felt the same way about California and that went completely out the window. To win this game and right the ship, Auburn must a find a way to bottle up the dual threat passer early. If not, the Tigers will endure a long, very unpleasant day on The Plains.

Athletic Makeup

Standing five-foot-ten and weighing 200 pounds, Dampier does not strike an imposing figure on the field. The first word that describes the New Mexico sophomore is comfort. Dampier just looks relaxed in the pocket, even with the rush breathing in his face. 

Toughness remains an intangible quality that presents itself on the field. Dampier will stand in the pocket to deliver a pass, regardless of who bears down upon him. Despite the smallish frame, he does not show an ounce of reticence with throwing the ball down the field. The ball shows surprising pop and location. 

Moreover, Dampier will shift the pocket to obtain a clear view of his receivers. Meanwhile, the other half of Dampier’s talent palette, his running ability, should sit at the top of Auburn’s concerns. Although tough enough to barrel through the A gap, Dampier will get to the outside and explode through arm tackles. Singled up on the perimeter versus a linebacker makes life easy for him.

Dampier was a problem in the Lobos loss to the Arizona Wildcats. He threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked and added 130 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

Game Plan

Above all else, the Tigers must contain Dampier. Close off the boundaries and stay focused on the side contain. In basic parlance, stay home. If a defender tries to make the play backside, the next time, New Mexico will run what looks like the same play with motion or misdirection. Next, clog the passing lanes. 

Remember, the Lobos list Dampier at five-foot-ten. In reality, figure him standing at five-foot-nine or shorter. By driving the blockers back towards the quarterback, Dampier cannot see unless he takes the snap from a deeper shotgun.

Identically, leave the line games out of the plan. Stunts will create gaps and visibility. For the first time in a while, Auburn actually needs to play conservative and basic. Lastly, get him on the ground. Make sure Dampier hits the ground. While smallish, he possesses good strength to break tackles and create space.

Reality

If Auburn plays smart, they can neutralize Devon Dampier. Now, the word smart remains the important designation. Again, until it becomes consistent: Auburn should win this game. Yet, after a disaster against California, the seed of doubt appears. Auburn’s defense played well enough to beat Cal. Now, they must go further to beat Dampier and New Mexico.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexican Republicans and Democrats both held debate watch parties as presidential candidates Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took the stage on Tuesday night.

Who won the Trump-Harris presidential debate?

Joining Republican State Senator Craig Brandt was Trump’s Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell. They blasted Vice-President Harris’ record arguing that the debate would show New Mexicans that Trump is best for the state. “We have to recognize that common sense is coming in the form of Donald Trump so we are here to announce that New Mexico is a state that we are going to fight for,” said Grennell.

Grenell was also there for the launch of the Log Cabin Republicans state chapter which is a group of LGBT conservatives.

New Mexico Democrats spoke on the debate praising Harris’ performance saying that she brought facts and optimism while her opponent spouted lies and stirred up division. “The contrast between these candidates could not be more clear. With Kamala Harris, we see a vision for the future that includes opportunity and freedom for all Americans. From the other side, from her opponent at the other podium, we saw the desire to sew the seeds of division,” said New Mexico Democratic Party Chairwoman Jessica Velasquez.

Velasquez argued that Trump did not show on Tuesday night that he has a plan for the country and added that people across the state are excited to elect Harris as the next president.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Chances are, you may know who Ansel Adams is – but if the name isn’t familiar, his work just might be.

In Life Magazine, brochures for Santa Fe Railway and museums in New Mexico, like at Carlsbad Caverns, Adams’ work is there. He captured the heart of the Land of Enchantment.

One woman believes she hit a gold mine of the famous photographer’s work.

Kelly Robinson grew up around Indigenous people in Wichita, Kansas, and loves collecting photos. When she saw there was a collection on sale with over 200 photos from the Santa Fe Railway’s corporate photo department in the 1930s and ’40s, in particular, she was excited.

“The person that I purchased them from was the granddaughter of that person. So it came directly from the family, and I found out that there was a full collection of other photos. So there were travel photos, train photos,” Robinson said. “Native Americans greeting trains and also travel photos and Carlsbad Caverns.”

As Robinson began looking through the photos, something about those photos stood out to her.

“They were so detailed, and they looked like Ansel Adams. I had never been involved in Ansel Adams work or had any interest in the past, but when I saw them, it hit me like it was true. I said, these look like Ansel Adams photos,” she said.

Robinson did thousands of hours of research, searching through government and railway records detailing Adams’ endeavors. Soon, she began getting confirmations from some key places. In particular, Carlsbad Caverns, where she says they have verified Ansel Adams photos.

“I went to Carlsbad Caverns. I said, ‘Hey, do these do you think are Ansel Adams?’ And they said, ‘They are Ansel Adams, because we have a few of these here in our collection,’” she said.

Robinson also received some confirmations from Adams’ family.

“I started working back with the Ansel Adams Gallery to say ‘This is what’s come in’. I emailed with Matthew Adams. And he said, ‘Yeah, this is his commercial work, and my father was on this road trip, likely with him, when he took these photos.’ So they were validated,” she said.

Robinson said she has over 60 validated works in her collection. They’re portrayals of our beautiful desert landscape. The everyday lives of Indigenous people in our state.

Many of these works are commercial works. Because of that, the Ansel Adams Gallery told her Robinson she could sell those photos if she wanted to – and she has some ideas.

“I would love to see some place in New Mexico own the entire collection that would allow it to stay together and have the end view of this historical perspective. This is was what was going on in the 1930s, ’40s and early ’50s. It’s the wartime efforts to promote a thriving America.” she said.

Robinson added she may auction them off. She also thought about reaching out to Union Station in Chicago to see if they had any interest.

No matter where these photos go, she just wants the world to see them.

“I can own these and just keep them, but what am I going to do? They’re in a box in my closet right now,” she said. “I love them. I take them out almost every day, and still have research to do, but they really do deserve to be exhibited somewhere and on display for the public.”

Robinson said she is planning to go through the process of getting the photos verified.

If you are interested in reaching out to her, particularly with any questions, you can email her at myeisleproductions@yahoo.com.