Monday Morning Quarterback: Battle Of I-10

The Silver Spade and Brass Spitoon will be housed at NMSU for the first time since 2002 – the last time the Aggies defeated the Miners in the battle of I-10.

UTEP’s three-game winning streak over NMSU came to an end Saturday night, when the Miner football teamlost 29-24 to the Aggies.

In his weekly news conference Monday, Coach Mike Price admitted the Miners were off sync during the game. “I think we lost our poise and we lost our focus. I don’t know if we put too much pressure on the kids or ourselves, but it wasn’t the same sideline at Texas Tech and against New Mexico. It was more confused and every play was a big play… We’ve got to calm down.”

UTEP took the lead in the first half, when the Miner defense successfully shut down downNew Mexico State’s potent offense. During the second half, the two were trading blows, but in the end the Aggies finished the game with a big play, while the Miners’ final drive ended with an incomplete pass.

Last week, NMSU head coach Hal Mumme said that since he’s been at NMSU, his team has yet to win a big game. Saturday’s was a big game for the Aggies. “I was really proud of our guys,” Mumme said during his weekly news conference Monday. “I even think we turned a corner with this program, with this win, because our talent and our character overcame our ability to choke.”

The Aggies will travel to Auburn next week in what should be much tougher game.

The Miners face Texas Southern on Saturday.