By the time New Mexico takes the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, it will have been 15 days since the Lobos' last game.

The break, however, has been anything but rest and relaxation.

"We had a nice bye week. In most cases that means you get healthy and fresh and everything," said New Mexico coach Rocky Long. "Instead we lost our starting quarterback for this week's game."

Long confirmed that junior Kole McKamey, who has started every game this season, will not face the Utes this weekend because of a back injury.

"We did hear that," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Injuries are a relative thing. If he is out then their backup, Chris Nelson, is very capable. He's a lot like Kole McKamey — same mold, a big strong kid that throws the ball well. So we will not prepare any differently."

McKamey has seen a vast majority of the playing the time for the Lobos. In addition to passing for 1,682 yards and 13 touchdowns, he's also rushed for 429 yards and four scores.

Nelson, by comparison, has appeared in just three games — completing 10-of-18 passes for 89 yards and rushing for 13 yards on 10 carries.

"We'll run the same offense with Chris. He's not nearly as experienced as Kole, probably throws the ball better than he runs it," Long said. "Kole's got great speed, and Chris has good speed. There's a little difference there, but we'll run the same offense with either one of them."

That's the approach Utah's defense is taking.

"The bottom line is we're not putting a whole lot of stock into that. Sometimes it can even be a catalyst for a football team. Last week when we didn't have Quinton, everyone else rallied up and picked up the slack. Everybody else played better because of it," Whittingham said of New Mexico's quarterback situation. "So if he plays, then he plays. If he doesn't play then we're not going to approach it any differently. We've got to bring our 'A' game regardless of who is playing for them.

"Rocky Long always has his team ready to play," he explained. "And I'm sure this weekend will be no exception."

SENIOR DAY: Could this weekend's home finale for Utah's seniors be a distraction? The Utes, after all, are still pursuing a bowl bid.

"I think it's a positive," said Whittingham, who noted that his final home game as a player at BYU (ironically, against Utah) is the one he remembers most. "It was a memorable experience. I think Senior Day is a positive not a distraction in any way shape or form."

UTAH OVER BYU: Whittingham offered some insight on his decision to become head coach at Utah instead of his alma mater, BYU.

"What I did was take a long-term view. Three or four years from now, whether I was down at the Y., or up here in Salt Lake, the winning and expectations would be the same," Whittingham told reporters on this week's Mountain West media teleconference. "Immediately this job had more pressure, but not ultimately. I think in the long run, at every job in Division I football, you've got to win eventually."


Utes on the air

New Mexico (5-4, 3-3) at Utah (5-4, 3-3)

View Comments

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

TV: Ch. 14

Radio: 700AM


E-mail: dirk@desnews.com

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.