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The topsy-turvy season could have given any Lobos football player whiplash.

University of New Mexico redshirt freshman quarterback Donovan Porterie, however, promised he gained more than he lost during the 2006 season.

"We've seen a lot of ups and downs, but I definitely feel like I improved as a quarterback this year and am better for having gone through everything I did with the team this year," Porterie said.

Porterie was not supposed to see significant playing time entering the 2006 campaign as the third man on the depth chart.

But senior starter Kole McKamey went down with a knee injury and backup Chris Nelson struggled to run the UNM offense, forcing coaches to start Porterie long before they felt he had refined his raw talent.

Porterie responded well and led UNM to three comeback wins.

The joy was short-lived. Porterie suffered a sprained ankle against TCU that sidelined him for UNM's final two regular season games.

Porterie was hoping to finish the season by leading UNM to a New Mexico Bowl win, but he struggled early and watched during the second half as Nelson led the Lobos in a 20-12 loss to San Jose State.

UNM coach Rocky Long said Nelson gave the Lobos the best chance to win after Porterie's passes were off the mark.

"Since Donovan is our quarterback of the future, we were trying to get him over the hump of playing poorly before we put Chris in the game," Long said. "At halftime, we decided that we needed to put Chris in the game."

Porterie said the decision was painful, but he accepted it.

"I know my place," he said. "I appreciate the time I got, but this wasn't supposed to be my year. I thought I could lead the team to a win, but the coaches asked me to step aside and let Chris run the show.

"He's the senior, and they thought he was the man to get the job done. I was a team player on the sidelines, supporting him on every play."

Porterie admitted he was nervous early in the bowl game, causing passes to sail high and away from his receivers.

"I think I could have gotten it together for us, but I respect the coaches' decision and know my time will come," Porterie said.

It isn't clear whether 2007 will be Porterie's time.

He will be playing under a new offensive coordinator next season, as Bob Toledo is leaving to take over as Tulane's head coach. Toledo is reportedly taking Dan Dodd, whom Toledo replaced as UNM's coordinator, with him as his offensive coordinator.

"Coach Toledo taught me so much while he was here," Porterie said. "He showed me how to manage the game, how to deliver my passes on time to my receivers under pressure and how to win at this level. It's tough losing him, but I'm better for playing under him."

McKamey is petitioning the NCAA for a medical redshirt and sixth year of eligibility. If he wins it, McKamey becomes the emotional favorite to win back his starting job.

Porterie chalks up the change to factors he can't control.

He said he learned this season to let go of those distractions and focus on molding himself into a better quarterback.

"I'm going to come back here in January and work harder than ever to be the best," he said. "I need to work on being a better leader and making better decisions all the time, not just when we need to get back into a game. I'm going to be watching a ton of film, both of myself and all our opponents.

"This year gave me a taste of what I can be and how far I need to go to be the best."