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UNM football: Hornets junior out to prove skill
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Sacramento State standout Cyrus Mulitalo has always been the runt.
He's the little guy - the ultimate underdog whose football skills have been overlooked all his life.
"I've always played with a chip on my shoulder, because no one has ever really believed in my ability to play football," said Mulitalo, whose Division I-AA Hornets' face the University of New Mexico Saturday at University Stadium.
"I never got much respect for what I do on the field, so I always play really fired up. Every time I step on the field, I play my hardest because it's my chance to prove other people wrong."
Mulitalo, who is 6-foot-1, 245-pound junior linebacker, has been hitting his way to top.
He has 22 tackles and three sacks so far this season. Mulitalo amassed 164 career tackles and was an honorable mention All-American last season.
"I love getting out there and just hitting guys," he said. "I used to play running back in high school, so I know where those guys like to run. I see the holes just like they do, and I'm right there to close them."
Mulitalo and his teammates see another big chance to tear off the loser label when facing off against the Lobos tonight.
UNM is 2-1 and riding a wave of prosperity after upsetting Arizona. Sacramento State enters the game 0-2, dropping its last game to Portland State after leading the Vikings in the fourth quarter.
"It was a heartbreaker, losing to Portland State like that, but we believe in ourselves a lot more than other people who just look at our record and ignore us," Mulitalo said. "We have a brand-new coach, but I know we're really close to getting it right."
He walks a fine line when responding to what it would mean to upset the Division I-A Lobos.
On one hand, Mulitalo would prefer the Hornets be seen as a legitimate contender just facing another team. If it's an upset when Sacramento State beats UNM, then he is admitting the Hornets are lower-class football citizens.
On the other hand, Mulitalo has to admit every Division I-AA team cheers mightily when one of its brethren knocks off one of the big boys.
He can't say enough good things about Appalachian State, a Division I-AA school that upset powerhouse Michigan.
He even is proud of rival Portland State, which upset the Lobos at University Stadium last year.
"It's our chance to prove that we deserved the same Division I scholarships all those guys on the other team got and we didn't," Mulitalo said. "It's a chance to prove we're just as good as them and could take their jobs if we had the chance."
Smith mourning: Senior wide receiver Marcus Smith's mother died last weekend, and his status is unknown for tonight's game.
UNM head coach Rocky Long said Smith has been attending practices, study hall and classes after learning of his mother's death.
Long said Smith's uncles in San Diego, Calif., are making funeral arrangements. If the service conflicts with the game, then Smith will not play. If the service is not held until next week, Smith is expected to play against Sacramento State.
