Next Level: Reigning Gatorade POTY Scores First TD For Lobos

Former Cleveland Storm standout and reigning New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26158" first="Luke" last="Wysong"]</strong> leads the Lobos in receptions (21) and receiving yards (222) after seven games. But it was his electrifying 63-yard punt return for a TD – the first score of his career - most UNM fans will remember from last Saturday’s loss to Colorado State at University Stadium in Albuquerque. “It felt good because it was the first time I’ve ever returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown,” Wysong said. “But we’ve got work to do. We’re taking things away from every game. We’re making changes every week.” If the past 10 months feel like a whirlwind for Wysong, it’s understandable. He signed with New Mexico in December, helped Cleveland dominate the abbreviated spring season, won the Class 5A track and field title in the 100 and 200 meters and then joined the UNM football program in July. Wysong saw significant action in the season-opening win over Houston Baptist and his playing time has only increased since then as Lobo coaches have quickly realized he is one of UNM’s most dynamic players with the ball in his hands. Besides being the Lobos’ top receiver, he’s also the primary kickoff returner. So far, he’s averaged 22.0 yards on nine kickoff returns. “[player_tooltip player_id="26158" first="Luke" last="Wysong"] made a couple of unbelievable plays on kickoff return and punt return and he created separation to get a pass interference penalty,” UNM coach Danny Gonzales said after Saturday’s game. “He’s the ultimate competitor. That’s what we need on this team – guys that are competitive and continue to fight. We have to continue to give the young guys (like Wysong) opportunities in the games so they can get better.” Wysong said he signed with the Lobos with the understanding Gonzales was in the process of rebuilding the Lobos programs, and essentially picking up the pieces from his predecessor. “I knew coming here that it was going to be a process changing things,” Wysong said. “We’re in that process right now. People from the outside may not see that, but internally it’ll get going. Once it starts clicking, we’re going to be a dangerous group. I think we’re going to be a stellar football team. But that comes with time. All of us want to change the program. That’s our main goal.” Heath Ridenour, Wysong’s high school coach at Cleveland, taught him an important lesson: Trust the process. “The number one thing he would say all the time was trust the process,” Wysong said. “I heard that multiple times daily from him. I learned that early on in my life playing football. Just trust everything that’s going on. You have to be where your feet are. We’re getting better each week, making changes. We’ll get there.” Unlike Wysong, former Manzano star <strong>Andrew Erickson</strong> had to wait two years after joining UNM in 2018 as a preferred walk-on before he stepped onto the field. He redshirted in 2018 and then suffered a severe knee (torn ACL) injury that sidelined him for the entire 2019 campaign. After finally getting healthy, Erickson started all seven games last season, finishing second in receptions and receiving yards, and tying for the team lead in touchdowns. This season, he is currently third in receptions with 12 for 130 yards and 1 TD. “I always wanted to come and play for the Lobos,” Erickson said. “There’s definitely some pride that comes with that. Now that I’m here and playing, it’s a great feeling. There’s a lot of pride knowing I’m from here and I’m playing and want to do big things.” https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB/status/1449528071359385600 https://youtu.be/kFEnpjwELl8