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UNM football: Senior middle linebacker Cody Kase takes on defense leadership for Lobos
Photo by Craig FritzTribune
Tribune
Senior middle linebacker Cody Kase runs drills during Lobos practice. With last year's defensive leader Quincy Black graduated to the NFL, Kase becomes quarterback for the "D" this season. "I love the switch, because I get to move around a lot more and I also have more responsibility," he said. "I have to know where everyone is supposed to be on the field in every situation and make sure they're in the right spot.
Photo by Craig FritzTribune
Tribune
Middle linebacker Cody Kase talks with Herbert Felder and other defensive players during practice. Kase is this season's leader on defense. "All the linebackers take a lot of pride in making sure our defense is one of the best in the country," he said. "We've had a lot of linebackers picked in the NFL draft, so you know we must be doing something right around here."
Spring game
What: Cherry-Silver intrasquad scrimmage
When: Wednesday
Site: University Stadium
Game time: 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
On the air: Audio and video streamed live online at GoLobos.com.
The Kase file
Name: Cody Kase
Age: 21
Class: Senior
Size: 6-foot-2, 212 pounds
Position: Middle linebacker
Hometown: Valencia, Calif. (Hart High)
Stats: After missing two games with a hamstring injury his junior year, Kase had 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two interceptions returned 47 yards and 10 quarterback hurries. . . . Led the team with 11.5 tackles for a loss his sophomore year. He finished the season with 62 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one pass broken up, 15 quarterback hurries and one fumble recovered for two yards in his first year as a starter.
Accolades: Named to Lott Trophy watch list in April, recognizing his strength as a defensive player, strong academics and contributions to the community. . . . Selected by his teammates as 2006 team captain. . . . Named to ESPN the Magazine academic All-American his junior year after making regional honors lists his previous two seasons . . . Three-time Academic All-Mountain West Conference honoree. . . . Preseason All-MWC selection by Street & Smith Magazine and named conference's hardest hitter by the magazine entering his junior season. . . . Honorable mention All-MWC his sophomore season.
Off the field: Kase said if he's not studying or working out for the football team, he usually can be found lounging near a pool or playing football or basketball in the street. When asked what position he plays in street football, Kase grinned and said, "I play wide receiver. Always wide receiver. That way, I can show the speed no one believes I have right now."
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Cody Kase is the Lobos' new quarterback.
He isn't learning a new offense or tossing the ball to receivers, but he is still directing traffic for the University of New Mexico.
Kase has switched to middle linebacker this season and will be the latest Lobo to pilot the defense, making adjustments on the field and ensuring every Lobo is in the right spot to pounce.
"I love the switch, because I get to move around a lot more and I also have more responsibility," he said. "I have to know where everyone is supposed to be on the field in every situation and make sure they're in the right spot.
"We have a very experienced defense, so it's not like it will take a lot of work making sure everyone is ready to go."
Kase is by no means the Lobos' sole talented returning linebacker, but he's one of the smartest players on the team and a gifted athlete who's taking over a leadership role vacated by the likes of Quincy Black, Mike Mohoric and Nick Speegle.
"I don't think any of the other guys on defense around here want to admit it, but the linebackers really run this defense," Kase said. "All the linebackers take a lot of pride in making sure our defense is one of the best in the country. We've had a lot of linebackers picked in the NFL draft, so you know we must be doing something right around here."
When UNM lacked such leaders who could help their teammates find the right spot and focus solely on attacking the opposing offense, the Lobos' defense suffered.
Coach Rocky Long said he has confidence in Kase's ability to thrive at a new spot, but he won't be carrying a heavy burden with fellow seniors George Carter and Major Mosley playing alongside him at linebacker.
The defensive lineup boasts a lot of talent and experience, giving Long hope it can unleash the kind of fury that made it among the top defenses in the nation a few years ago.
He said Kase is a relatively quiet player ready to continue the leadership role he took up last season, when his teammates voted him one of UNM's four team captains.
Long isn't looking for Kase to change his style as he becomes the quarterback of the defense.
"I think when you have guys in leadership roles, you let them lead in the way they are most comfortable," he said. "Some guys who say very little can be more effective than the guys who are loud and constantly in their teammates' faces. As long as he is comfortable and leads by example, his teammates will follow."
Kase wants his teammates to follow him to a string of wins, including an elusive bowl victory.
While he is very much a team leader, Kase also has something personal to prove next season.
He suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to miss two games, and he wasn't at full strength for five weeks during last season.
Kase is eager to get back to the form that had him a preseason first team All-Mountain West Conference selection entering his junior season. The hamstring injury kept him from picking up the postseason recognition.
"It was tough not being able to play when I knew I could help the team," he said. "All you want to do any time you're hurt is get out there and play. It's hard to describe how difficult it is to be stuck on the sidelines watching when you know you are supposed to be on the field."
Sullivan seeks comeback: Fifth-year senior kicker John Sullivan, who was a front-runner to steal a starting job in the spring, suffered a torn ACL in his left leg. The injury is to the foot he plants during kickoffs and field-goal attempts.
Rather than going through surgery, Sullivan is trying some rehabilitation exercises and a brace with the hope he can play next season, because he is not eligible for an NCAA medical redshirt. Surgery would mean the end of his football career. NCAA rules regard athletes with injuries that force them to miss substantial portions of two seasons, not just the one Sullivan will lose with his injury.
UNM trainer Dave Binder said he has seen a few athletes succeed with a brace while deferring surgery, but it isn't easy. UNLV's starting kicker made it through last season with a brace compensating for the same injury.
