https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sp...re-assess-recover-after-0-2-start/1162613002/
Jason Groves, Las Cruces Sun-NewsPublished 5:50 p.m. MT Aug. 31, 2018
"We need some time to catch our breath and re-assess some personnel and schemes and get healthy," Aggies coach Doug Martin said. "Getting back on a regular schedule will certainly help."
Injuries will be assessed this week
Martin's program has done a good job building depth throughout the years, but the Aggies don't have elite depth, or certainly not the type of depth to make up for half of the defense out Thursday due to injury.
Five defensive starters did not make the trip to Minnesota and senior backup Lui Fa'amasino (six tackles) left Thursday's game due to a concussion.
Middle linebacker Javahn Fergurson and defensive lineman Jassavia Reese each suffered knee injuries against Wyoming and linebackers Malik Demby and Leon McQuaker also missed Thursday with injuries.
Martin couldn't give a timeline, but at the very least, defensive end Cedric Wilcots II will return against Utah State after missing the first two games due to academics and he believes Demby will be able to return against Utah State.
Freshman defensive end Donovan King has had two quality appearances after replacing Reese against Wyoming. King, a 6-foot-2, 224 pound true freshman from Pearland, Texas, had three tackles in his first career start against Minnesota.
Freshmen are now able to play in four games throughout the course of the season and not lose their redshirt season. But Martin believes King will continue to play.
"He (King) is going to have to play this year with the injuries we have already had," Martin said. "We have already played him so we might as well keep going with him because he can be a difference maker."
Martin said the Aggies will not practice Friday and Saturday before returning to the practice field on Sunday.
Lack of toughness leads to injuries, drops, missed tackles
Aggies receivers had 15 drops on Thursday and NM State could muster just 14 yards on six rushing attempts from the running back position. There were also seven missed tackles on on Antoine Winfield punt return touchdown.
"When you don't play physical as a wide receiver, you are going to drop passes," Martin said. "That is where our entire football team is right now and it's a total 180 degrees from where we were last year."
The question is how does Martin and the Aggies coaching staff work to improve toughness during the season.
"We have played in two games and in both games, the other team played more physical than we have," Martin said. "That's why so many guys are hurt and why we are not playing well in other areas.
"More than anything, it's a mindset we have to have if we are going to be succesful."
Aggies will shuffle offensive line, receiving corps
Martin said Sebastian Anderson (6-foot-6, 305 pounds) will move from right tackle to right guard and Isaac McClain (6-2, 320 pounds) will move to right tackle, where he started all 13 games last season.
"We are giving up too much pressure from the right tackle position right now," Martin said. "(Anderson) is a little bigger so we will put him inside and see if he will do better in there."
Martin added that the receiving corps will also be evaluated this week, with junior Izaiah Lottie (five catches, 54 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota) and freshman Tevis Abraham earning more field time.
Jason Groves, Las Cruces Sun-NewsPublished 5:50 p.m. MT Aug. 31, 2018
"We need some time to catch our breath and re-assess some personnel and schemes and get healthy," Aggies coach Doug Martin said. "Getting back on a regular schedule will certainly help."
Injuries will be assessed this week
Martin's program has done a good job building depth throughout the years, but the Aggies don't have elite depth, or certainly not the type of depth to make up for half of the defense out Thursday due to injury.
Five defensive starters did not make the trip to Minnesota and senior backup Lui Fa'amasino (six tackles) left Thursday's game due to a concussion.
Middle linebacker Javahn Fergurson and defensive lineman Jassavia Reese each suffered knee injuries against Wyoming and linebackers Malik Demby and Leon McQuaker also missed Thursday with injuries.
Martin couldn't give a timeline, but at the very least, defensive end Cedric Wilcots II will return against Utah State after missing the first two games due to academics and he believes Demby will be able to return against Utah State.
Freshman defensive end Donovan King has had two quality appearances after replacing Reese against Wyoming. King, a 6-foot-2, 224 pound true freshman from Pearland, Texas, had three tackles in his first career start against Minnesota.
Freshmen are now able to play in four games throughout the course of the season and not lose their redshirt season. But Martin believes King will continue to play.
"He (King) is going to have to play this year with the injuries we have already had," Martin said. "We have already played him so we might as well keep going with him because he can be a difference maker."
Martin said the Aggies will not practice Friday and Saturday before returning to the practice field on Sunday.
Lack of toughness leads to injuries, drops, missed tackles
Aggies receivers had 15 drops on Thursday and NM State could muster just 14 yards on six rushing attempts from the running back position. There were also seven missed tackles on on Antoine Winfield punt return touchdown.
"When you don't play physical as a wide receiver, you are going to drop passes," Martin said. "That is where our entire football team is right now and it's a total 180 degrees from where we were last year."
The question is how does Martin and the Aggies coaching staff work to improve toughness during the season.
"We have played in two games and in both games, the other team played more physical than we have," Martin said. "That's why so many guys are hurt and why we are not playing well in other areas.
"More than anything, it's a mindset we have to have if we are going to be succesful."
Aggies will shuffle offensive line, receiving corps
Martin said Sebastian Anderson (6-foot-6, 305 pounds) will move from right tackle to right guard and Isaac McClain (6-2, 320 pounds) will move to right tackle, where he started all 13 games last season.
"We are giving up too much pressure from the right tackle position right now," Martin said. "(Anderson) is a little bigger so we will put him inside and see if he will do better in there."
Martin added that the receiving corps will also be evaluated this week, with junior Izaiah Lottie (five catches, 54 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota) and freshman Tevis Abraham earning more field time.
