New Mexico
Three takeaways from New Mexico State’s victory over Hawaii
LAS CRUCES – Chris Ojoh informed New Mexico State soccer followers to be affected person.
Following a season opening loss to Nevada, Ojoh mentioned, “So far as a complete staff, we’ve a promising future. We simply have to remain locked in.”
The Aggies returned house on Saturday for the primary since Week 0 and beat Hawaii 45-26 for the staff’s first win of the season.
Whereas there may be nonetheless numerous soccer to be performed, staying centered regardless of a 0-4 file coming into Saturday is a credit score to the gamers and Jerry Kill’s teaching workers.
“I really feel like the entire staff was trying ahead to this primary win,” Aggies senior linebacker Chris Ojoh mentioned. “Particularly with a brand new teaching workers. It is arduous within the first yr for any program to get issues rolling. Now it is to maintain doing it week in and week out.”
The Aggies entered the sport final within the nation in scoring at eight factors per sport, however put 45 factors on the board on Saturday. NM State led 42-10 within the third quarter with Hawaii posting some passing yards and factors in rubbish time, however listed below are three takeaways from Saturday’s win.
Run sport comes alive
The New Mexico State speeding assault had proven indicators of life in spots all through the previous two weeks, however the Aggies broke out in an enormous approach on Saturday.
The Aggies rushed for 357 yards on 45 makes an attempt (7.9 yards per rush) with junior faculty switch working again Star Thomas ending with 144 yards on 11 makes an attempt (13.1 yards per carry) and a landing.
“As arduous as we labored, and what we did, we higher have run the ball,” Kill mentioned. “We did not have a selection. We challenged our youngsters and so they have been very productive. We did a very good job getting the ball to the playmakers and that’s what you must do to win.”
Listed at 6-feet, 225 kilos, Thomas has misleading pace, breaking free for runs of 27 and 57 yards on Saturday.
“I am glad for him,” Kill mentioned. “When you find yourself scuffling with the offensive line and looking for your approach and enjoying Massive Ten groups, it is arduous. He type of picked it up and we lastly simply informed him you’re going to should punch some holes generally. He is arduous to convey down and he loves soccer. I informed everybody once we introduced him in that he was going to be fairly good.”
Thomas was one in every of 5 gamers to hurry for over 20 yards and one in every of 5 4 gamers to attain a speeding landing. Operating again Jamoni Jones had 59 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns and Ahmonte Watkins had six carries for 28 yards and a landing.
To not be outdone was freshman quarterback Gavin Frakes, who made his second begin of the season. Frakes managed the sport nicely and executed the learn choice all through the sport, scoring from 20 yards out up the center the place he was not touched. Frakes completed with 78 speeding yards on six rushed (13 yards per carry) with a long term of 25 yards, displaying he can handle the sport for the Aggies transferring ahead.
“This week we ready rather well and I believe it translated to the sector,” mentioned Frakes, who was 8 for 14 passing for 81 yards with a landing and an interception. “I did numerous the identical issues in highschool, so (the offense) positively advantages me. Coaches put us in actually good positions to succeed and everybody was doing their job greater than we’ve in the previous few weeks.”
Aggies could have a constant high 5 on O-Line
The Aggies speeding assault wouldn’t have been attainable if not for an offensive line group that performed its finest sport of the season.
The Aggies outgained Hawaii 206-79 in first quarter with 187 speeding yards. They’d 11.4 yards per play and 12.5 yards per rush within the first quarter. The Aggies rattled off 21 unanswered factors for a 21-7 lead on the primary play of the second quarter.
“I used to be simply trusting these guys up entrance,” Thomas mentioned. “They’ve higher every week. We begin believing extra in what they’re doing and trusting what we’re seeing.”
Accidents up entrance pressured the Aggies coaches to shuffle gamers all through the primary 4 video games, however they appear to have discovered a lineup starting within the second half of the UTEP sport.
Redshirt senior Gabriel Preciado started the season because the starter at left deal with, however moved to proper deal with after accidents to Doro Omerhi.
Redshirt freshman Shiyazh Pete stepped in at left deal with and true freshman AJ Viapulu stepped in at left guard. The freshman duo have began on the left aspect the previous two video games, and NM State didn’t permit a sack towards Hawaii and dominated the road of scrimmage within the run sport.
“We actually aren’t going to vary something, if we will keep wholesome,” Kill mentioned.
Aggies can defend the run, cross rush is the subsequent step
Saturday’s sport was basically over at halftime, and particularly when Watkins scored to make it 42-10 with seven minutes left within the third quarter.
Hawaii had some rubbish time yards by the air within the second half, however the Aggies protection was stable as soon as once more towards a Group of 5 opponent.
The Aggies held Hawaii working again Dedrick Parson to 69 yards speeding on 16 carries. Hawaii had 150 yards on the bottom on 4.1 yards per carry.
“This present day should you maintain a staff to 24 factors, you performed good on protection,” Kill mentioned. “I am simply telling you (defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling’s) expectations. He would not wish to surrender something. That is good. Our youngsters take satisfaction in that. I promise you they’ll are available in tomorrow and say we’ve to complete the sport higher.”
Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager completed with 261 yards by the air with a landing cross, however the Aggies didn’t permit lengthy scoring performs. The Aggies moved as much as No. 44 within the nation in cross protection, permitting 203 yards per sport by the air. The Aggies might proceed to climb as their subsequent two opponents, Florida Worldwide and New Mexico, are offensively challenged, as nicely.
What the Aggies must do transferring ahead is end their pressures with sacks or tackles for loss.
Aggies linebacker Chris Ojoh had the one sack of the sport, however Schager was underneath strain all sport and may have been sacked a number of instances because the Aggies have been credited with 4 quarterback hurries and 4 tackles for loss.
“We won’t let the quarterback maintain onto the ball for seven seconds after which blame the secondary for not protecting anyone,” Kill mentioned. “We misplaced include and we did some issues that we’ll get corrected.
“It isn’t like our protection did not play good. I am simply saying our expectations are a bit of greater but for each side of the ball.”
Ojoh had two tackles for loss to go together with a profession excessive 14 tackles.
“I really feel like we’re locking in on protection, understanding that at a sure level we needed to step up and play our function,” Ojoh mentioned. “It was actually simply element. That was the theme of the week and actually simply do your job.”
Jason Groves may be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Comply with him on Twitter @jpgroves.