UNM football notebook: Lobos switch up practice format with four sessions to go

The question originally came up when Jason Eck was speaking with Chad Wilt, a former defensive line coach at Army, about how he did his job during spring practice and fall camp.

In other words: How do you get your defense ready for the season when you just face the triple-option all the time?

“He said, ‘Well, this is what we do — we got to have these periods where we’re working other stuff, so they give us some formations we’re gonna see and some more traditional college stuff,’” New Mexico’s head coach said Thursday. “And I thought that was such a good idea. I started adopting that when I got to Idaho and (I think) it’s been good for us.”

And that was Thursday’s practice for UNM, a day where the first-string offense and defense alike worked through formations and plays expected from other teams this season. The Lobos, Eck said, will run a similar practice Tuesday before bringing it back occasionally during fall camp.

“We’re kind of helping each other out,” Eck continued. “The other guys can still work technique, but it’s different schematic stuff to get ahead. I thought the guys handled that well for the first day.”

There was at least one unique personnel decision, though. UNM’s defense went up against the a scout team option with Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters at fullback, Rei Iwai at wingback and none other than defensive analyst Luke Nardo under center.

“I told him (to) act like he’s been there. He completes one 12-yard pass (to wide receiver Xavier Van) and he acts like he’s (winning) the Super Bowl,” Eck joked.

Some more notes and quotes from Thursday’s practice, UNM’s 11th session this spring:

OFFENSIVE LINE: At the start of spring practice, Isaiah Sillemon had a relatively firm grip on UNM’s starting center spot, a pleasant surprise from a player who spent last season out of position. That doesn’t really seem to be the case anymore, with Kaden Robnett picking up more and more reps on the first-string offensive line.

With that in mind, will UNM have a starting center in place before the end of spring practice? Don’t bet on it.

“It’s a heck of a battle,” Eck said. “Sillemon is having a really good spring. He’s athletic. He had a nice play where he pulled out in front today when we were working on a toss play. Kaden’s very athletic (and) he’s been really good getting out in front of our screens.

“Sillemon gives you probably a little more umph at the line of scrimmage, (he’s) a little heavier, maybe a little stronger right now. I think Kaden’s been probably a little bit more consistent snapping the ball – Isaiah has had some more errant snaps.”

But even if Sillemon doesn’t win the starting job, he’d still likely find his way onto the field. Eck said they’re open to playing Robnett at center and bumping Sillemon to guard (the position he’s played for most of his college career) with Richard Pearce opposite him in the interior.

“Those two, along with Pearce and (regular left guard Israel Mukwiza) have established themselves as the top four inside,” Eck said, “and then (Malik Aliane’s) probably just one step behind, but getting better.”

INJURY UPDATES: Transfer running backs Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho) and D.J. McKinney (Sam Houston State) will not return this spring, Eck said, after suffering hamstring injuries two weeks ago.

“We got a decent feel for them – obviously we were with (Buchanan) last year so we know what they can do,” he added. “But I think (Scottre Humphrey) and (Damon Bankston) kind of ran with it, and had really good springs. So, you know, those guys are gonna have some work to do in camp to try to get some carries back from those guys.”

And while it was expected, Eck confirmed quarterback Jack Layne will not be cleared for full practice by the end of spring. The Idaho transfer has worked under center in some run plays, but still isn’t throwing with a lingering elbow injury.

“Which is fine,” Eck said. “We just got to get him healthy for the summer, and then do a really good job of keeping him on a pitch count over the summer so we don’t overuse (him) and get him healthy in camp for competition.”

The rest of UNM’s injury/inactive report from Thursday: Jaxton Eck (LB), Azariah Levells (CB), Tavien Ford (DL), Mateo Contreras (WR), Devin Costello (CB), Matthew Lashley (S), Matthew Toilolo (OL) and Evan Wysong (WR).

SPRING GAME: Next Friday’s spring game format is still up in the air. But Eck — who said even before the spring that any format would come down to how healthy the team was — said they’ll finalize one after Tuesday’s practice.

“Thursday, we’re just (practicing in) helmets so I would not foresee any injuries … knock on wood, if we can stay on the track we’re on, I think we’d have enough to have a little bit more of a game format,” he said. “You know, have a red team and a white team and play a more traditional game, which is what I’d prefer, rather than having an offense-defense point system.

“But we’ll see how it sorts out these next few days. Hopefully we stay healthy.”