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2008 conference record: 2-6, T-6th

Returning starters

Offense: 8, defense: 3, punter/kicker: 2

Top returners

QB Donovan Porterie, WR Chris Hernandez, WR Michael Scarlett, WR Roland Bruno, C Erik Cook, OG Joshua Taufalele, OT Byron Bell, LB Clint McPeek, DB Ian Clark, DB Frankie Solomon

Key losses

RB Rodney Ferguson, OT Sylvester Hatten, LB Zach Arnett, CB Glover Quin, CB DeAndre Wright, S Blake Ligon, DE Jeremiah Lovato, DT Wesley Beck, LB Herbert Felder

2008 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Rodney Ferguson (1,105 yards)
Passing: Brad Gruner* (1,037 yards)
Receiving: Chris Hernandez* (428 yards)
Tackles: Clint McPeek* (103)
Sacks: Herbert Felder (7.5)
Interceptions: Quin Glover (5)

Spring answers

1. Learning a new offense: New head coach Mike Locksley said he was pleased with how much of his new spread offense he was able to install this spring. He said much of that was because players took the time to absorb it and study in the film room. He also said he had a lot of the right personnel in place to catch on to his offense early.

2. Receivers getting the work: The Lobos return a nice stable of receivers, including leading receiver Chris Hernandez. They are eager to start catching some passes after quarterback Brad Gruner struggled with the passing offense. During the spring game, 13 receivers caught passes for 577 yards. Overall, UNM had as many touchdown passes in the spring game (four) as it had in 2008.

3. Another steady running back corps: The Lobos probably won't rely on the running game as much as it did a year ago, but for Locksley it's good to know that he has a couple options in the backfield. James Wright, who had a couple big games last year, returns and redshirt freshman A.J. Butler, who had 110 yards on 19 carries during the spring game, is also available.

Fall questions

1. Everything's open: Locksley declined to name starters or even post a depth chart to encourage competition through the summer and fall camp. Though he said some players have clearly separated themselves, he doesn't want anyone to go into the summer complacent about where they stand.

2. Doing away with the 3-3-5: New Mexico won't run the 3-3-5 it's been famous for, but Locksley said the defense still would be high pressure with multiple fronts. He returns just three members from last year's defense, which might make for easier teaching, but he still has to replace one of the best secondaries in the conference led by DeAndre Wright and Glover Quin.

3. Finding a quarterback: Even though all the positions are open, finding a starting quarterback might be the most important. Ideally, a dual-threat would work for Locksley's system, but the strong arm of Donovan Porterie might be the best option since he did have a 3,000-yard season in 2007. Porterie was still coming back from a knee injury this spring, which gave Brad Gruner, Tate Smith and Emmanuel Yeager a chance to make their case.