With its season opener just under two months away and with the start of fall practice less than a month away, the New Mexico State Aggies are well into their summer football conditioning program.
After a 4-9 record in 2008, a disappointment to many, the Aggies have put in a lot of time in getting ready for the upcoming year.
New Mexico State strength and conditioning coach Matt Walter said all the scholarship players are on campus and working out with the team. He gets eight hours a week for eight weeks to work with the team. The group generally works out Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
"The guys are working hard and we have guys that have been in the program for a few years now and they understand what I expect from them,"
Walter said. "The attitude has been great this summer. It's a different attitude. The guys have a lot of desire and want to have a great season."
Some of what Walter has done with the team is different this season, particularly with the defensive players.
New defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn was hired last December and brings with him the 3-3-5 defense, an aggressive, attacking scheme.
"We've been working very hard on speed and strength with the defensive guys,"
Walter said. "Me and coach Dunn see eye to eye on a lot of things. With the new defense, guys really want to get after it and they are doing a good job of getting prepared."
New Mexico State practices for the first time on Aug. 7, then head to Gallup Aug. 12-20 before settling in for its first game on Sept. 4 against Nicholls State.
Several Aggies have been through summer workouts before and the goal is to break NMSU's drought of not playing in a bowl game. The last time NMSU played in any postseason was in 1960 when it beat Utah State.
"I would say that the difference this summer than in previous summer is that we expect to win instead of just wanting to win,"
NMSU senior quarterback Chase Holbrook said. "Everyone is really putting in the time this summer and that's going to help our team chemistry."
Holbrook also pointed to several of the newcomers, who have been impressive in the summer. The team actually had several of the newcomers participate in spring ball, i.e. receiver Marcus Anderson, running back Seth Smith and linebacker Nick Paden.
"It's so important for the newcomers to be here and they've worked hard,"
Holbrook said. "One player who has really been impressive has been running back Marquell Colston. He's proven to be strong and hard-working."
Colston is a junior college transfer, who will battle for some playing time in the NMSU backfield.
The Aggies are entering head coach Hal Mumme's fourth year. The team has won zero, four and four games in three previous seasons.
"Our goal is a bowl and that's why we are working so hard,"
senior wide receive A.J. Harris said. "Everyone is working hard. The defensive guys are really making strides. There is a sense of urgency here and the intensity has been there all summer. We can't wait to get started."
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Defensive back Michael Zant is back with the program after two years away while serving his Mormon mission.
Walter said the 5-foot-11 native of Midland is back working out and is putting in plenty of time to try and get back on the field this year.
Zant still has four years of eligibility remaining.
