ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Day one of UNM football fall camp under first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall started with a theme for the team prominently displayed, “Earned Not Given.”
“The team is exciting and they are eager and optimistic, and they worked really hard today,” said coach Bronco Mendenhall. “It’s just the beginning of the process for a long season, but I liked what I saw. The energy, enthusiasm, and the competitiveness spirit is all in place.”
The Lobos are hoping to fight their way out of the cellar of college football, where they have taken up residence. UNM hasn’t had a winning football season since 2016 when then-head coach Bob Davie led the team to a 9-4 record which also included a bowl victory.
Players can sense that change is on the horizon. “I wouldn’t say last year I didn’t have belief in our team, but this year I see it,” said sophomore quarterback Devon Dampier. “When you see that you have a coach that’s constantly progressing people and getting the most out of people, it gives you a lot of confidence. I am very comfortable with where we are at and I think we are going to have a good year this year.”
Dampier threw for over 500 yards with over 300 rush yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last season. He was the number one quarterback in spring football and plans to keep it that way in the fall.
“Just the excitement that I have been waiting for this, my first season as kind of being a starter,” said Dampier. “It definitely meant a lot coming out here and kind of start building our team.” Mendenhall believes in his young quarterback.
“Devon is a really good decision maker and I think he is a natural, in terms of his leadership,” said Mendenhall. “He is youthful by age, but pretty seasoned and poised in relationship to that. He is a dynamic football player and we are lucky to have him.”
The Lobos will start the season when they host Montana State on Aug. 24.
