UTEP is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in Mountain West play after Saturday’s 31-7 loss at North Dakota State. The “fresh start” in a new league feels like the same old miners.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Through eight games, the Miners have scored 113 points and allowed 292. That’s about 14 per game against 36.5.
Since the 51-10 win over Texas Southern, UTEP is 0-6 and has been outscored 231-62. In league play, it’s 0-4 and outscored 146-38. The Miners have topped 17 points once all year.
Think that’s the whole problem in three sentences.
Fargo: Fast Start, Then Nothing
UTEP actually led. Kaleb Miles picked off Nathan Hayes on the opening drive, and Raymond Moore III broke a 57-yard touchdown run. The defense held firm, and UTEP trailed just 10-7 at the half.
Then the offense vanished. UTEP finished with 238 yards on 51 plays, and EJ Colson went 11-of-16 for just 59 yards. North Dakota State outscored the Miners 21-0 in the second half.
The Offense Is the Issue
Entering the San Jose State game, UTEP averaged 257 yards per game, 138th nationally and last in the Mountain West. It also ranked 133rd in red-zone scoring at 64.3%.
Injuries haven’t helped.
The defense has leaks of its own. UTEP was allowing 8.4 yards per pass play, 128th nationally before SJSU. Nevada’s Herschel Turner ran for 192, and SJSU’s Viliami Teu ran for 156.
Is There Anything Bright?
A few things.
Moore is a real spark. The backup sophomore quarterback entered Fargo as UTEP’s leading rusher with 414 yards.
The defense has had its moments too. That halftime stand in Fargo was outstanding.
And the schedule finally gives the Miners a breather. The Oklahoma-Michigan-Oregon State gauntlet is behind them. Hawai’i is 2-6 and 1-4 in the Mountain West and visits the Sun Bowl Saturday at 7 p.m., with Wyoming coming to town November 14. Those are two home games with a real shot at a first Mountain West win.
What to Watch:
Four games remain: Hawai’i, Wyoming, then road trips to Air Force and Northern Illinois. Watch Colson’s health. Watch whether the offense clears 17 points for the first time since Texas Southern. And watch the Sun Bowl.
- 24,580 packed in for the home opener, and it’s gone down since then. This is a fanbase that deserves a win. Make some noise Saturday night at the Sun Bowl.
