Coronado, Calif. – DonTrell Moore started responding to one of the Mountain West Conference’s biggest questions Sunday on the shuttle ride from the San Diego airport to the MWC’s annual football preview.
New Mexico’s star running back, the MWC’s all-time leading rusher with 3,675 yards, tore a ligament in his left knee during the Lobos’ bowl game last season, a 34-19 loss to Navy in San Francisco. He said the knee feels OK, but wouldn’t put a percentage on his rehabilitation.
The senior from Roswell, N.M., graduated in the spring and said he plans to take only a few yoga classes this fall.
Moore’s presence at the MWC football preview is an exception to a recent trend of teams leaving top players at home.
Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in April, didn’t attend the media function last year because Urban Meyer, the Utes’ coach at the time, wanted an offensive lineman to practice his media skills. In 2003, Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick left outspoken quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt in Fort Collins.
Footnotes
Fans can go to themwc.com or cstv.com today at 5 p.m. for a webcast of some of the events, including interviews with coaches and MWC commissioner Craig Thompson. … CSU is represented at the preview by wide receiver David Anderson and center Albert Bimper. … Bowl arrangements are expected to be a primary topic of Thompson’s state of the MWC address Tuesday.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
