Former UTEP QB Sam Garza drops by Miners practice, gives words of encouragement

With a 1-5 record UTEP is looking to this weekend to turn around the season with a victory over Tulane at the Sun Bowl.

Thursday morning Sam “Sammy” Garza, who played quarterback for the Miners from 1983-’86 and set several offensive records, dropped by UTEP’s practice.

“I think it’s really special to come back,” Garza said about homecoming. “Seeing the changes that UTEP has gone through.”

Garza also had a chance to speak to the team.

“My message was just trying to let these guys know that even though they are down they played good football,” Garza said. “Look at the last five games this season. Make (this) your first game and see if you can turn it around. And enjoy it and have fun with it.”

Garza played in the Canadian Football League after his college career ended. He has been a scout for the the last seven years for the Dallas Cowboys and covers Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

Given UTEP’s offensive woes this season, ABC-7 asked Garza if he had any eligibility left like the older quarterback did in the movie early ’90s film “Necessary Roughness.”

“No eligibility,” Garza said between laughs. “I don’t know if I could do that right now. I have a hard enough time touching my toes. They played a hard schedule. I think these guys just need to realize they’re a good team and hopefully these guys turn it around.”