New Mexico Down Two Quarterbacks
Sheriron Jones and Brandt Hughes are out for the year.
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QB’s getting suspended.
Starting UNM Quarterback, Sheriron Jones will not play this week as the Lobos host the Hawaii Rainbows Saturday in Albuquerque as head coach Bob Davie said during his weekly press conference that he is suspended “indefinitely,”
Davie declined to disclose a reason for the suspension after being asked by the local Albuquerque media. The only addition he said that he would not comment anymore on this situation at this time but admitted it was disappointing news.
With only five games left for the Lobos football team, Jones playing days could be numbered.
With only four days before the Lobo’s Mountain Matchup against an outstanding Hawaii team, this created an unusual situation for Davie’s Lobos.
It was expected that former starter Tevaka Tuioti was going to start this game before the suspension was announced as he is the more accomplished passer of the two quarterbacks.
Davie, in his press conference, was very upfront as far as the need for the Lobos to score in the passing game to be competitive. Especially against the Hawaii Rainbows high scoring offense in the “run and shoot”
He continued by saying, “they are the number three passing offense in the country, and I believe they have a number 1 draft pick in their quarterback.”
Last week, Tuioti was put in by Davie against Wyoming in the fourth quarter, and he had an immediate passing impact. He came into the game and the Lobos were trailing 20-3 and with 9:40 left in-game and he threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Molina.
Jones is not the only quarterback out for the Lobos, as Brandt Hughes is out with a shoulder injury.
So, the Lobos are down to two scholarship quarterbacks as they prepare to play the Hawaii Rainbows.
Tuioti, sophomore Trae Hall and redshirt from Henderson, Texas.
Davie commented that the Lobos would have a contingency plan for the third quarterback with the loss of both Hughes and Jones. However, that seems like an escape hatch of sorts because if New Mexico has to play its fourth-string quarterback then things are really going bad for Tuioti.
Now if Tuioti can spark the Lobos as he has shown in the past and offensive line gives him time, he should be able to throw the ball to the Lobo receivers and help put some respectable points on the board.
What this means for the Lobos, is they have a quarterback who has shown flashes of why Davie recruited him in the first place. Tuioti has the experience with this team and style so that should provide some comfort going forward.
Going up against Hawaii this week it will take a big effort for the offense to go point-for-point with the Warriors.
