More LoboZone

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Michael Garcia: Here's to you, athletes, coaches and friends. These memories - and lessons - will last forever.
• Tribune sports: Five faves

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

The advice from Lobos legend to Lobos all-star was matter of fact: "Go do what you do."

That bit of simple wisdom came from former University of New Mexico All-American receiver Terance Mathis. The recipient was UNM receiver Travis Brown, a member of the West team in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game.

Mathis happens to be Brown's position coach on the West team. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. Saturday at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

"I'm just ecstatic to be playing," Brown said by phone Thursday.

Brown, a late addition to the West team, added: "I just want a chance to showcase my skills."

The speedy 6-foot-3, 202-pound Brown paired with 6-2, 214-pound Marcus Smith to form the Mountain West Conference's most formidable receiving duo.

Brown finished his senior year with a career-high 76 catches for 1,031 yards and six touchdowns. Smith topped the Lobos with a school-record 91 catches for 1,125 yards and four TDs.

They became the first duo in school history to each surpass 1,000 yards receiving in leading the Lobos to a 9-4 season and victory in the New Mexico Bowl.

Both will be looking to impress NFL teams. Brown's turn comes first.

Last year, Lobos Quincy Brown and Robert Turner played in the East-West game, and both are on NFL teams this year.

"I want to show people I'm faster than they think I am," Brown said. "I'm just going to do what he (Mathis) told me to: Be myself. Run my routes and catch some balls."

With Mathis on his side, Brown said he has been trying to absorb whatever knowledge he can throughout the week.

"You always want to know some of the ins and outs of the league (NFL) and how someone of his caliber was able to make it," Brown said. "He told me if I need any help, come talk to him."

Mathis, a sixth-round pick of the New York Jets, played most of his 13-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. The undersized Mathis, who stands 5-9, made the 1994 Pro Bowl and caught a touchdown for Atlanta in the 1999 Super Bowl.

"He showed the world that you don't have to be the prototypical size to succeed in the NFL," Brown said. "If you work hard and focus on your job, it can be done."

Smith's chance to prove his NFL worthiness comes Jan. 26 in the Senior Bowl at 2 p.m. on the NFL Network. Smith's the 13th Lobo to play in the game.

Another Lobos legend will be part of the festivities there. Former UNM All-American linebacker and NFL Pro Bowler Brian Urlacher will be inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. Urlacher was named the defensive MVP of the 2000 Senior Bowl.

Brown, the sixth Lobo since 2005 to play in the East-West game, said he's thrilled to be keeping alive the tradition of Lobos in all-star bowls.

"With Marcus and I, we're just continuing the legacy," he said.