ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Former UNM head coach Danny Gonzales will be on the opposing side line this week with the University of Arizona. So will running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
“Huge respect to (Danny),” said UNM quarterback Devon Dampier. “I wouldn’t be here without him giving me a scholarship. He built a bond with me very well when I was here, so I text his family like every month. So, it’s pretty exciting to get to be on the other side against him.”
“(Jacory) was on our team and now he’s not. So, now he’s the enemy,” UNM defensize lineman Gabe Lopez said. “”We just got to be more physical. It’s as simple as that. Just come out here, we know what we’re going against. We got to be more physical this week.”
Arizona offensive coordinator Dino Babers is also familiar with current UNM head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The two used to regularly square off when Mendenhall was the head coach at Virginia and Barbers was the head coach at Syracuse.
“I know that they will have that team ready to go and I know that they’re doing everything that they can possibly be to put their best foot forward,” Barbers said. “Those guys are good coaches. Those players are good tough players and we’re looking excited to our contest coming in here on Saturday.”
Another player on the field with both New Mexico and Arizona ties is Wildcats offensive linemen Tylen Gonzalez. The former Carlsbad Caveman is currently in his redshirt freshman season.
