UTEP Miners know the offense is struggling but they aren’t pushing the panic button just yet
EL PASO, Texas -- It's by no means been the start to the season UTEP wanted or thought they would have but maybe it's just what they need.
The Miners are 1-3 to start the season after most recently falling 27-10 to the University of New Mexico.
"It's tough but I think it needed to happen because we're humbled and back down to earth," UTEP wide receiver Rey Flores said. "Coming into this year everyone really thought we were gonna come out and win the first 4 games so it hasn't went as we expected but we're good we settled and we're back together and ready to go."
So what's been going wrong? To put it simply the offense.
The Miners scored 5 touchdowns in the their opening 4 games (avg. 1.25 per game), they've rushed the ball for 297 yards (avg. 74 yards per game), completed 84 of 172 passes (48.84%) and had 14 turnovers (7 of those coming in their loss to UNM).
"We just need to get back and do what we do best and execute our offense the way it needs to be executed and do the things that this offense can really do well," Head Coach Dana Dimel said. "That's what we're going to make our emphasis on as we prepare for Boise.”
The Broncos certainly pose a tough challenge and are currently 25 point favorites. They are 2-1 to start the season and their defense has allowed just 21 points in their past two games.
It's a game the Miners will want to win to get the season back on track and at the very least see an improved offense - something Dimel isn't worried about.
"If we were in a situation where we were like ok we just don't have the talent to get it done right then I would be like ok this could be a rocky road for us," Dimel said. "But right now we just need to stay strong handle the adversity and go attack every game and each and every situation that we have."
The playing group are on the same wave length as Dimel. On Monday they held a player only team meeting to address their current form.
"The mindset is just to get better, everyone focus on each other just be a self lead group and motivate each other," UTEP running back Deion Hankins said. "When adversity strikes you can't just back down we've just got to keep going with a full head of steam."
The Miners host Boise on a short turnaround at 7 p.m. on Friday, as they push for a second consecutive winning season - something the program hasn't achieved since the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
