Last year, UNM did not have a true freshman start on defense in its guaranteed money game at Texas A&M, which paid $1.1 million to New Mexico.
Saturday, safety A.J. Haulcy will change that in the Lobos’ money game at LSU, which will pay $1.6 million to UNM, a 31½-point underdog.
Junior safety Tavian Combs is out for the season due to a torn ACL in his left knee, coach Danny Gonzales said after Thursday’s practice, relaying what was mostly expected when the injury was sustained against UTEP on Saturday.
Haulcy, who was named Mountain West Conference freshman of the week after causing two turnovers in UNM’s 27-10 win over the Miners, is slated to make his first start.