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Jordan Scott spent two years preparing for his new assignment.

Scott, a senior punter for the Lobos, has been tapped to take over kickoffs for the University of New Mexico.

Fellow senior John Sullivan will concentrate on field goals and extra points after he struggled to accomplish both at Texas-El Paso on Saturday.

"Jordan has more leg strength even though he's never done kickoffs for us before, so we're going with him," UNM coach Rocky Long said. "We're hoping that letting Sullivan just focus on field goals will help him out."

Scott said he is happy to take on the new role.

"The past two summers, I really hit the weight room hard and focused on building up my leg strength," Scott said. "I wanted to improve my punts, but I also wanted to be ready to help the team out with extra points or kickoffs if the coaches asked for help."

The assignment change didn't surprise Scott.

Sullivan tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his plant leg during spring football, leaving coaches to consider several potential backup plans.

Scott emerged as a surprising candidate to pull double duty when he booted a kickoff 70 yards and hit a 38-yard field goal in driving rain during the spring Cherry-Silver scrimmage.

Although he has no collegiate kicking experience, Scott said he has handled kickoffs at Bellbrook High near Dayton, Ohio.

"I know it's been a long time since I've had to do it in a game situation, but I feel really comfortable with the job," Scott said.

He doesn't see much of a difference between punts and kickoffs, noting the extra time he has to pull off a strong kickoff is a nice change from pressure-filled punts.

Scott also has been forced to tackle punt returners, so he is prepared to lay his body on the line if coverage buckles.

"Obviously, it's going to be challenge kicking the ball farther, but I feel good about it," he said.

Injury report: UNM emerged from the UTEP game with fewer severe injuries than the Miners.

UTEP cornerback Tim McCullouch suffered a fractured leg and is out for a month.

UNM senior starting linebacker Major Mosley sprained his ankle during the game and sat out practice Monday. UNM head trainer Dave Binder said Mosley will be evaluated throughout the week and may able play Saturday against the Aggies.

Soft touch: The Lobos practiced in the indoor practice facility Monday and may work out there again Thursday because the surface is softer and level, going easier on their legs and reducing the chances of sprained ankles.

Pep rally: The UNM student government is hosting a "Red Rally" at 8 p.m. Thursday on Johnson Field. The students will burn a replica of the Aggies mascot. The event is free and expected to draw about 1,000 students.