Chris Nelson

	Class: Senior
	Hometown: Garden City, Kan.
	High School: Garden City HS

	Last College: Garden City CC
	Height / Weight: 6-4 / 220
	Position: Quarterback
	Birthdate: 06/27/1984
	Experience: 1L

09/23/2006

New Mexico vs. UTEP

NEW MEXICO:

Returning letterman who will open preseason camp in the same role he held most of 2005, as the No. 2 quarterback behind Kole McKamey...did an outstanding job in relief of an injured McKamey late in the year before a broken collar bone ended his season in the finale vs. Air Force...injury was still affecting his throwing motion during the spring, but coaches are hopeful he will be 100 percent this fall...displayed real leadership and poise in the pocket when directing the Lobo offense last year...also was an accurate mid-range passer and opportunistic runner on the field...enrolled at UNM in January of 2005 from Garden City (Kan.) Community College...one of four former Broncbusters on the Lobo roster, along with starting offensive linemen Bo Greer and Anthony Kilby, and reserve safety OJ Swift...Academic All-MWC honoree last fall.

2005 (JUNIOR): Started twice and saw significant time in 3 contests in place of an injured Kole McKamey...led UNM to a pair of come-from-behind victories on the road against Wyoming and Utah...second start was cut short when he suffered a broken collarbone in the third quarter of the Lobos' season finale vs. Air Force...officially 5 game appearances...31 of 60 passing on the year for 319 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs...rushed for 90 yards with a long of 14 and a TD...vs. Air Force...Hit 5-12 passes for 33 yards and picked up 47 yards on 11 rushing attempts before being knocked out of the game midway through the third quarter with a broken collarbone...was injured after running for 7 yards on a 4th-and-2 play to keep a UNM TD drive alive...at Utah...Threw for 197 yards on 16-30 passing in his first Division I start...got UNM back in the game with a 50-yard TD pass to Hank Baskett late in the 3rd quarter...also scored from 8 yards out on a QB draw...intercepted twice, though one was caused when his arm was hit as he threw...finished with 30 yards rushing, including a long of 14, despite being sacked 5 times...at Wyoming...Came on late in the 2nd quarter after McKamey left with an injury...finished 8 of 14 passing for 91 yards, converting several key third and fourth down passes to help UNM erase a 17-7 deficit...on his second series he engineered a 9-play, 58-yard drive in the final 2 minutes of the 2nd quarter that resulted in a Kenny Byrd FG...spread the ball around nicely, completing passes to 5 different receivers.

GARDEN CITY CC:

Honorable mention all-Jayhawk League quarterback who completed 72 of 153 passes for 1,046 yards, 5 interceptions and 9 TDs in 2004 for head coach Bob Larson...also 93 carries for 396 yards and five TDs on the ground...Academic All-American both years at GCCC, compiling a 3.87 GPA.

HIGH SCHOOL:

A 2003 graduate of Garden City HS...honorable mention all-state quarterback, but he was first team all-state in basketball...also lettered in track...head football coach was Mike Smith...member of the Principal's Honor Roll.

PERSONAL:

Born June 27, 1984, in Garden City...age is 22...full name is Christopher James Nelson...son of Stewart and Shari Nelson...father is an architect, mother a teacher...dad played basketball at the University of Nebraska in 1973...has one sister, Angela...likes playing the guitar...majoring in General Management.