ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Devon Dampier is ready to go into his sophomore season at New Mexico as the starting quarterback. He will play his first game as QB 1 when the Lobos host Montana State in the season opener on Aug. 24.
Dampier does the same thing before each game. “I always call my mom before the game,” said Dampier. “That’s the one that settles me down, keeps me grounded. But, I really try to stay relaxed during games. I try not to over do it, not get too hyped, not get too low, just kind of keep my head space where it’s been at all week, not being overly nervous, not trying to do too much, just play the ball I know how to play.”
Dampier was productive as a freshman last season, playing in nine games and starting in one. He was 40 of 64 on his passing attempts, throwing for 525 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Dampier also had four touchdowns on the ground and finished third in rushing with 328 yards, rushing 59 times.
Dampier worked hard during the offseason with hopes of improving on what he did in a limited role last year. “Playing last year definitely helped give me confidence even coming into this spring,” said Dampier. “I was actually able to play pretty well last year. So, coming in here, just build more confidence, especially with me being the starter. I’ve got more reps. So, just having the reps to really prove that I can do this on the college level is really a lot.”
The Lobos and Montana State’s only other meeting was in 1947. The teams played to a 13-13 tie.
