Next Level: Trio of NM Players Standing Out For Lobos
Former Rio Rancho standout Isaiah Chavez has been so successful as a starting quarterback in his first two years with New Mexico that Lobo coaches are willing to alter the offensive scheme when he’s on the field. Two weekends ago,…
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Continue ReadingFormer Rio Rancho standout Isaiah Chavez has been so successful as a starting quarterback in his first two years with New Mexico that Lobo coaches are willing to alter the offensive scheme when he’s on the field.
Two weekends ago, Chavez made his first start of the season – and his third overall since joining the Lobos program as a walk-on prior to the 2020 campaign – and led UNM to a 14-3 victory at Wyoming, ending the Lobos’ 16-game road losing streak.
Chavez completed 10-of-11 passes for 112 yards and one TD against the Cowboys in Laramie, Wyo., breaking the school record for completion percentage in a game (90.9 pct.). It tied for the fifth-best completion percentage by a FBS quarterback this season, and was the highest percentage by a freshman.
Chavez was also UNM’s leading rusher with 49 yards, 31 coming after contact.
His exemplary performance earned Chavez the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Week award on Oct. 25.
“Our players have responded to him,” UNM head coach Danny Gonzales said last week. “Isaiah made some really good plays and made some good throws (at Wyoming). But there were still some teaching moments.”
Gonzales said Monday at his weekly press conference that Chavez or graduate transfer Terry Wilson will start at quarterback in Saturday’s Homecoming game against UNLV at University Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT.
Former Cleveland standout Luke Wysong, a promising freshman who younger brother Evan is currently the starting QB for the Storm, is UNM’s leading receiver with 23 receptions for 223 yards. He is also one of UNM’s principal kickoff returners and leads the Lobos with 595 all-purpose yards.
Wysong scored his first career TD three weeks ago on a magnificent punt return against Colorado State. Monday, Gonzales pointed to Wysong as the best example of a local player making good for the Lobos.
“What he’s done as a true freshman is pretty special,” Gonzales said. “He might be the toughest kid on our team. He’s doing some amazing things.”
Wysong said on a recent Lobos podcast that he plans to run track in the spring. Wysong won the state Class 5A 100 meter and 200 meter titles in June before joining the UNM program for summer workouts.
Freshman linebacker Cody Moon from Volcano Vista High School started the season buried on the depth chart but has risen high enough to get on the field regularly. He ranks eighth on the team with 27 tackles in 7 games. He also has an interception, one pass breakup, one QB hurry and one fumble recovery.
Moon joined the program as a walk-on but has now been placed on scholarship. Even though he stands 6-foot-3 and made 60 tackles and 9.0 TFL as a senior at Volcano Vista, Moon attracted little recruiting interest until Gonzales and his staff arrived in Albuquerque in January 2020. The Lobos are now the beneficiaries.
“Cody is on scholarship now because he’s proven he’s one of our best players on defense,” Gonzales said. “If we can add some weight to him, he’s going to be a mean, really good player. Cody rides bulls for fun. You have to be a little different to ride bulls for fun. He has that mindset.”
The national media are beginning to take notice too. Moon is on the Watch List for the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the best college football player who begins his career as a walk-on.
NOTES:
— Former Los Lunas RB O’Maury Samuels is second on New Mexico State in rushing with 202 yards and 1 TD on 63 carries. He’s also caught 12 passes for 72 yards. The Aggies host Utah State Saturday at 2 p.m. at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces.
Back at University Stadium after the bye week for Homecoming and Salute to Service!
📍University Stadium
📅Saturday, Nov. 6
⏰ 5:00 pm
🎟️ https://t.co/TIN12DCmYA
📻KKOB/Lobo Radio Network
📊 https://t.co/DmPtV1MxAq#GoLobos | #Win5 pic.twitter.com/KtibI9Hzyg— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) November 2, 2021
Things that happened this weekend…
QB5 leading us to a road win✅
Finger Guns✅
MW Honor✅Just another day in the life of @Isaiah_chavez6 … your Mountain West Freshman of the Week!!! #GoLoboshttps://t.co/g65996I2za pic.twitter.com/MhVUugsVoI
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) October 25, 2021
Q3 | QB making plays with his feet. Chavez with the gain of 19 to set up 4th and 2.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/DNuXYcWkU1
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) October 23, 2021
We've mentioned Mr. Moon before. Now he's getting some national love!!! Congrats to Cody Moon (@CoJay1822) for making the @BurlsworthTrust List as a freshman!!! #GoLobos | #WIN5 pic.twitter.com/Gpg1wQeTFp
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) November 2, 2021
Look what Cody Moon found! Lobo ball in the red zone.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/BLzpAoxIQ1
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) October 23, 2021