UTEP football’s notes on upcoming game against NMSU
UTEP (1-1) squares off with NM State (2-0) as the Battle of I-10 returns to the Sun Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:04 p.m. MT.
Sept. 8, 2014
The Basic Facts
UTEP (1-1) squares off with NM State (2-0) as the Battle of I-10 returns to the Sun Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:04 p.m. MT. The game will be televised on the American Sports Network with Ron Thulin (play-by-play) and Keith Moreland (analyst) calling the action. Saturday is “White Out” in the stadium. Fans can get their free Battle of I-10 t-shirt when they sign up for a checking account at First Light Federal Credit Union, or purchase special Whiteout apparel at the UTEP bookstore or other local retailers. The winner of the UTEP-NMSU rivalry game receives a pair of traveling trophies, the silver spade and the brass spittoon. The trophies have resided in El Paso since 2009. NMSU’s last victory over the Miners came on Sept. 20, 2008 in the Sun Bowl by a 34-33 score.
About NM State
The Aggies improved to 2-0 for the first time since 1999 with a 34-31 triumph at Georgia Southern last Saturday. NMSU pulled out the win when Tyler Rogers threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Teldrick Morgan with 15 seconds left. That completed a 12-play, 83-yard drive. The key play came on fourth and two at the GSU 17-yard line when Brandon Betancourt rushed for five yards and a first down. The Aggies trailed 17-0 early and 24-10 midway through the third quarter before rallying for the victory. Rogers passed for 241 yards and three touchdowns, all in the second half. Morgan collected eight receptions for 89 yards and two scores, and Larry Rose III rushed for 89 yards on 17 carries. A transfer from Arizona Western College, Rogers has completed 60.6 percent (43-of-71) of his passes for 399 yards with five TDs and two interceptions. Rose and Morgan top the team with 238 yards rushing (119 per game) and 140 receiving (70 per game), respectively. Leading the defense are LB Rodney Butler and Derek Ibekwe with 23 and 20 tackles respectively. Rogers, Rose, Morgan, Butler and Ibekwe are all either freshmen or sophomores.
The Series
UTEP leads the series 54-35-2. This is the longest-running series in school history (92nd meeting). The Miners hold a 36-16-1 advantage in games played in El Paso. UTEP has won 19 of the last 28 games between the rivals in the Sun Bowl. Overall UTEP has reeled off five consecutive victories over NMSU for the first time since a six-win run from 1986-91. The five-game winning streak ties the third-longest for the Miners in the series. UTEP beat NMSU seven consecutive times from 1927-33, six straight times from 1986-91, and five consecutive times from 1947-51, 1953-57 and 2009-present.
The Last Meeting
Aaron Jonesrushed for 97 yards and fellow freshmanDarrin Laufasaadded 74 as UTEP punished NM State on the ground in the second half en route to a 42-21 win over the Aggies on Sept. 14, 2013. Limited to 49 yards rushing on 22 carries in the first two periods, the Miners erupted for 244 over the final 30 minutes. UTEP won its fifth straight game over NMSU while securing its third consecutive victory in Las Cruces. The teams combined for four touchdowns in the first five and a half minutes of the game. The defenses fared much better in the second quarter, with Jones’ eight-yard run with 17 seconds remaining accounting for the only touchdown of the period. The Miners took a 21-14 lead into halftime. After the Aggies knotted the game at 21 midway through the third quarter, the Miners scored the game’s final 21 points, the last 14 coming on long touchdown runs (17 yards, 45 yards) by Laufasa in the fourth quarter. Earlier,LaQuintus Dowell’s54-yard touchdown run put UTEP in the lead for good, 28-21, with 6:21 remaining in the third period. The Miners simply wore down the Aggie defense in the second half, running for 116 yards in the third quarter and 128 in the fourth.Jameill Showerscompleted 18-of-28 passes for 253 yards for UTEP, andJordan Lesliehad seven catches for 103 yards.Ian Hamiltonalso had a big night in the passing game with six receptions for 81 yards. A week after yielding 395 yards rushing to New Mexico, the Miners held NMSU under the century mark. The Aggies finished with 99 yards on 19 carries. Andrew McDonald and King Davis III combined to complete 14-of-26 passes for 299 yards for NMSU. The Aggies turned over the ball four times on the night.
Connections
UTEP has one player from the state of New Mexico on its roster – freshman tight endSterling Napier(Rio Rancho). NM State has one El Paso native on its roster in junior DB Kedeem Thomas-Davis (El Dorado HS). Junior LBMatthew Heardtransferred from NMSU to UTEP following the 2012 season.
Players from both schools who attended the same high school or college are: UTEP DLDewan Edmonson& NMSU WR Travaughn Colwell (Manvell [Texas] HS); UTEP DBJameel Erving, UTEP DBNick Gathrite, UTEP OLEric Lee& NMSU DL James Drew (Riverside CC); UTEP DBNick Gathrite& NMSU DB Jacob Nwangwa (Arlington [Texas] HS); UTEP OLChristopher Misaalefua& NMSU OL Dustin Lamb (Lindsay [Calif.] HS); and UTEP TESterling Napier& NMSU OL Abram Holland (Cleveland HS [Rio Rancho, N.M.].
UTEP wide receivers coachTodd Whittencoached at NMSU from 1992-93, working with the offensive line. Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line CoachSpencer Leftwichwas also a part of the Aggies’ staff from 1992-93, directing the quarterbacks.
Last Week: Texas Tech 30, UTEP 26
Davis Webb passed for 278 yards and three touchdowns and rallied Texas Tech to a late score as the Red Raiders edged UTEP, 30-26, on Sept. 6 in El Paso. Webb directed Texas Tech on a seven-play, 75-yard TD drive in the final minutes afterAaron Jonesput the Miners ahead 26-23 on a nine-yard scoring run with 5:05 remaining. Jones rushed for a game-high 147 yards on 23 attempts to lead UTEP. Webb completed 17-of-31 passes and had a 100-yard rusher and receiver at his disposal. Justin Stockton gained 135 yards on eight carries, and Jakeem Grant reeled in eight catches for 150 yards. The Miners fell behind 23-13 midway through the third quarter before their offense came alive.Jeremiah Laufasacapped a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 24-yard TD to pull UTEP within four points, before Jones gave them the short-lived lead by putting the exclamation point on an 11-play, 88-yard drive. UTEP quarterbackJameill Showershad an off night, completing 9-of-25 passes for 116 yards. The Miners played their second straight turnover-free game to open the season. Texas Tech finished with 504 yards of offense to UTEP’s 393. The Miners rushed for 277 yards. UTEP took a 6-0 lead into the second period afterJay Mattoxkicked field goals of 22 and 27 yards. Texas Tech outscored the Miners 16-7 in the second quarter to build a 16-13 lead at halftime. The Red Raiders took their largest lead of 10 points on a 13-yard pass from Webb to Brad Marquez with 6:27 to go in the third quarter. All three of Marquez’s catches were touchdowns as he finished with 33 yards.
A Pair of Firsts
UTEP is averaging over 300 yards rushing (303.5) through its first two games of a season for the first time in school history. The Miners have also played their first two games without turning the ball over for the first time in the modern era of football, which started in 1965.
About the Ground Game
After averaging 288 yards rushing in its first two games of the 2013 season, the Miners are averaging 303.5 yards on the ground in their initial two outings of the 2014 campaign. UTEP has rushed for 277+ yards in the first two games of back-to-back seasons for the first time in the modern era. Last year, the Miners were held to 99 yards rushing in their third game of the season against UTSA. If they can go over 200 yards rushing this week versus NM State, they will have compiled 200+ yards in each of their first three games to open a season for the first time since 1985, when they did so in their first five contests.
Pounding it Out
UTEP had 52 rushing attempts versus Texas Tech last week. During theSean Kuglerera, the Miners have rushed 50+ times in four games. In the previous nine seasons, all under previous head coach Mike Price, they had 50+ rushing attempts in a total of five games.
Jones Leads the Nation
El Paso nativeAaron Jonestops all FBS players with 384 yards rushing through the games of Sept. 7. Arizona State’s D.J. Foster is second with 363 yards, and South Florida’s Marlon Mack is third with 348 yards. Jones is third in rushing yards per game (192.0) behind Indiana’s Tevin Coleman (247.0 ypg) and Georgia’s Todd Gurley (198.0 ypg), who had both played in only one game through last Saturday. Jones is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns (five) with BYU’s Taysom Hill and Toledo’s Kareem Hunt. He is also fifth in the FBS in scoring (15.0 ppg) and sixth in all-purpose yards (199 avg.).
384 Yards for Jones
The 384 yards byAaron Jonesin the first two games are the most by a UTEP player in consecutive contests sinceDonald Buckramrushed for 388 yards versus SMU (241) and Rice (147) late in the 2009 season. Jones is the first player in school history to rush for 384 yards or more in games one and two combined.
Jones Finds the End Zone
Aaron Joneshas scored five rushing touchdowns in two games, one more than he scored all of last season and matching the most rushing TDs by a UTEP player in 2013. He has reached the end zone nine times in 11 career games. At his current pace Jones would score 30 rushing touchdowns in 2014. The school record is 20 byFred Wendtin 1948. Overall, six of UTEP’s seven touchdowns this season have been of the rushing variety.
Jones’ Opener
Aaron Jonesrushed for a career-high 237 yards – tied for the fifth-most in a game in school history – and three touchdowns, also a personal best, in the season opener at New Mexico on Aug. 30. The 237 rushing yards were the most by a UTEP player in an opener and the most in a game sinceJoe Banyardcompiled 240 versus Houston on Sept. 29, 2011. Jones still has the third-most rushing yards by an FBS player in a game this season. USF’s Marlon Mack rushed for 275 yards against Western Carolina and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman ran for 247 yards versus Indiana State, both on Aug. 30. Jones is one of 10 FBS players to enjoy a 200-yard rushing game in 2014. He is the first sophomore in school history to run for 200 yards in a game.
Jones Having a Grand Time
Aaron Joneswent over 1,000 yards rushing for his career at New Mexico on Aug. 30. The El Paso native has compiled 1,195 yards in only 11 career games (108.6 avg.). By comparison, UTEP’s all-time leading rusher,John Harvey, had only 910 yards two games into his sophomore year en route to compiling 3,576 from 1985-88. Jones now has five 100-yard rushing games, already tied for the 12th-top total in the Miner record book. TeammateNathan Jefferyis in 11th place with six 100-yard games.
Miners Rate 14th in Rushing
UTEP was 14th in the country in rushing through the games of Sept. 7, averaging 303.5 yards per game, and led Conference USA in that department (Marshall was 15th with 301.5 yards per game). The Miners have averaged over 300 yards rushing in a season just twice, and they led the nation in the statistical category both years. UTEP collected 375.1 ypg in 1948 when it had the nation’s leading rusher,Fred Wendt, and 333.4 ypg in 1949. The Miners’ top rushing offense of the modern era was 217.5 ypg in 1984.
Making Their Runs Count
UTEP is averaging 6.3 yards per carry in 2014, which would shatter the school standard of 6.07 yards per attempt in 1948. The Miners’ top yards per carry average since 1965 is 4.98 in 1988, the last yearSean Kuglerput on the orange and blue uniform and the only 10-win season in program history.Aaron Jonesis averaging 8.5 yards per carry, and that rates fifth nationally among all FBS players who have rushed for 200+ yards to date behind Tulane’s Sherman Badie (12.8 avg.), Indiana’s Tevin Coleman (10.7 avg.), Arizona State’s D.J. Foster (10.7 avg.) and Marshall’s Devon Johnson (8.7 avg.).
Taking a Bite Out of the Offense
Through two games, 72.3 percent (607-of-839) of the Miners’ total offensive yards have come via the ground game. Last year, 53.1 percent (2,216-of-4,175) of UTEP’s total yards came courtesy of the rush. Prior to 2013, the Miners hadn’t finished a season with more yards rushing than passing since 1994. UTEP has had more than 60 percent of its yards come on the ground five times since 1965 (71.7 percent in 1976, 69.5 percent in 1975, 65.6 percent in 1984, 65.5 percent in 1982, 61.2 percent in 1980).
No Turnovers
UTEP has opened a season with back-to-back turnover free games for the first time in the modern era of football. The Miners have played five games under coachSean Kuglerwhere they didn’t cough up the football, and have won the turnover battle six times. UTEP hasn’t played three consecutive games without a turnover in a season since 1965. UTEP was one of 12 teams in the FBS that hadn’t committed a turnover, and the only one in Conference USA to achieve the feat, through the games of Sept. 7. The Miners were tied for eighth nationally in turnover margin, and were tied for first in C-USA with UTSA and Louisiana Tech at +4. UTEP has forced four turnovers in the first two games of the season. That’s as many takeaways as it had in the last seven games of 2013 combined.
Slow Start For Showers
Jameill Showershas completed just 42.6 percent of his passes to open the season and last week had the worst performance of his UTEP career, going 9-for-25 (.360) with single-game lows for completions, completion percentage and yards (116). While he has yet to show the form that produced a 56.9 percent completion rate and 1,263 yards passing over seven games in 2013, Showers hasn’t thrown an interception in 47 attempts this season. He has been interception-free in six of the nine games he has played for UTEP while averaging 59 pass attempts between picks. Since transferring from Texas A&M, Showers has completed 127-of-235 passes (54 percent) for 1,495 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed 78 times for 259 yards and four scores.
He Went to Jarrad
With a largely rebuilt receiving corps at his disposal, who would quarterbackJameill Showersturn to for the big play in the passing game this season? Through two games the answer isJarrad Shaw, who led the team in catches and yards against both New Mexico (4-76) and Texas Tech (3-43). He is only the third UTEP player to lead the team in receiving in back-to-back games to open a season since 2002 (Johnnie Lee Higginsin 2006,Donavon Kempin 2011). Shaw has accounted for 51 percent (119-of-232) of the Miners’ receiving yards in 2014. The senior appeared in just 10 games for the Miners – primarily as a special teams player – over the previous two years after transferring from El Camino College. He had no catches for UTEP prior to the opener at New Mexico, where he scored his first career touchdown off a 48-yard pass fromJameill Showers.
So Far, So Good For O-Line
The UTEP offensive line was a question mark entering the season. While it was advertised as being bigger and more athletic than a year ago, the simple fact was only one starter returned from 2013 (Jerel Watkins, who was moved from left guard to left tackle). Joining Watkins in the starting lineup are RTJerome Daniels, RGDerek Elmendorff, LGWill Hernandezand CEric Lee. That’s two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior college transfer (Lee) who didn’t play last season. Despite its inexperience, the offensive line has paved the way for the Miners to average 419.5 yards per game, including 303.5 rushing, this season. The unit has allowed just one sack in 144 plays (48 passing). UTEP is tied for seventh nationally in sacks allowed. Last year UTEP allowed a total of 27 sacks including at least one in 10 of 12 games. The Miners haven’t yielded a sack in four of their last five games under Kugler dating back to 2013.
Vastly Improved Defense
UTEP is allowing 27 points per game, which would be its best scoring defense since 2005 (25.9 ppg), after yielding 39.3 ppg in 2013. And while UTEP has given up 490.5 yards per game, that doesn’t tell the story of how much better the Miners are on defense. New Mexico ran 20 plays of two yards or less on Aug. 30; it ran five plays of two yards or less in last year’s opener against UTEP. Texas Tech scored 30 points and collected 504 yards of offense against the Miners. Both numbers were below its averages (36.2 ppg/519.9 ypg) under coach Kliff Kingsbury entering the game. The Red Raiders did the bulk of their damage in the second quarter when they ran 14 plays for 204 yards (14.6 ypp). In the other three quarters, TTU totaled 300 yards on 45 plays (6.7 ypp), or an average of just 100 yards per period, with two touchdowns.
Different Heroes on “D”
After LBAnthony Puentewas UTEP’s defensive star with a career-high 11 tackles in the opener at New Mexico, DBJameel Ervingstepped up to post a team-leading eight stops (one shy of his career high) in week two versus Texas Tech. Erving also forced a fumble and was responsible for one of the Miners’ seven pass break-ups. He led the team in tackles for the second time in his career (seven stops at Colorado State in 2013). UTEP also received a second straight solid performance from freshman LBAlvin Jones, who made his first career start against the Red Raiders. The twin brother ofAaron Jones, Alvin was credited with six tackles for a second straight game. For the season, Erving leads UTEP with 16 tackles, followed by Puente (13), Jones (12) and LBTrey Brown(10).
Special Teams Stellar Across the Board
Through two games the Miners have a kicker (Jay Mattox) who is perfect on field goals and 6-for-7 on PATs, a punter (Mike Ruggles) who rates third nationally in average, and a kickoff returner who ranks seventh in the FBS (Autrey Golden, 30.0 avg.). Mattox was 2-for-5 on field goal attempts of 20-29 yards last season, but he’s 3-for-3 this year with makes from 22, 23 and 27 yards. Ruggles has hiked his average from 40.0 to 48.5, and has helped UTEP rank 25th in the nation – and first in Conference USA – in net punting (41.7 avg.). And Golden has just been his usual spectacular self.
Golden Returner
In his third season,Autrey Goldenhas staked his claim as one of the best kickoff returners in UTEP history. He ranked 11th nationally in average in 2012 (28.3) 10th in 2013 (27.6), and is seventh this season (30.0). Golden was second in Conference USA in kickoff return average as a freshman, first as a sophomore and is first again in 2014. He enters the NM State game ranked fifth in school history in kickoff returns (61), fourth in kickoff return yards (1,716) and first in kickoff return touchdowns (four). His career average (28.1) rates second in the record book behindVernon Frazier’s29.4 from 2008-11. Golden is tied for first among active FBS players in kickoff returns for TDs with Florida’s Andre Debose, Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett and Northern Illinois’ Tommylee Lewis (all three are seniors). Golden rates third among FBS returnees in kickoff return yards per game (68.6), seventh in average and ninth in kickoff return yards.
Very Few Infractions
UTEP has committed only seven penalties for 53 yards in its first two games. The Miners rank ninth nationally in fewest penalties per game (3.5), 10th in fewest penalty yards per game (26.5), 14th in fewest penalties and 16th in fewest penalty yards. It’s simply par for the course under coachSean Kugler. In 14 games under his direction, UTEP has been whistled for 55 penalties totaling 462 yards. That breaks down to 3.9 penalties and 33 penalty yards per contest.
Head CoachSean Kugler
Sean Kugleris 3-11 in his second year as UTEP’s head coach. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Miners (1985-88) and a three-year starter at right guard. Kugler returned to the Sun City as a UTEP assistant coach (1993-2000), working as a graduate assistant/defensive line coach in 1993, tight ends & assistant strength and conditioning coach in 1994 and offensive line coach from 1995-2000. He coached in the NFL with Detroit (2001-05), Buffalo (2007-09) and Pittsburgh (2010-12) and was also assistant head coach at Boise State in 2006 when the Broncos finished 13-0 and beat Oklahoma, 43-42, in the Fiesta Bowl.
Players Turned Coaches
Sean Kugleris the second UTEP head coach who played for the Miners at one time. The other isWalter Milner, a three-year letterman from 1931-33 who served as head coach in 1942. Kugler is one of 12 active Division I head coaches who played at the school where they are currently coaching.
School Head Coach Years Played at School
Air Force Troy Calhoun 1985-88
Boise State Bryan Harsin 1995-99
East Carolina Ruffin McNeill 1976-80
Kent State Paul Haynes 1987-91
Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald 1993-96
Oklahoma State Mike Gundy 1986-89
Stanford David Shaw 1991-94
Texas Tech Kliff Kingsbury 1999-02
Tulsa Bill Blankenship 1975-79
Utah State Matt Wells 1994-96
UTEPSean Kugler1985-88
Virginia Tech Frank Beamer 1966-68
Kugler Putting His Stamp on Program
Sixty-five of the 105 players on the 2014 UTEP roster were signed by second-year head coachSean Kuglerand his staff. Of the 40 players signed by previous head coach Mike Price, 18 are seniors.
Staff Returns Intact
UTEP is one of 16 schools nationally to return its coaching staff intact from the 2013 season, along with Arizona, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, UL-Lafayette, Michigan State, Mississippi, San Diego State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington State. FlankingSean Kuglerare offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coachPatrick Higgins, defensive coordinatorScott Stoker, defensive line coachAndrew Browning, defensive backs coachGabe Franklin, running backs coachCornell Jackson, assistant head coach/offensive line coachSpencer Leftwich, tight ends coach/special teams coordinatorBrian Natkin, assistant special teams coordinator/nickelbacks/safeties coachRobert Rodriguezand wide receivers coachTodd Whitten. Natkin and Rodriguez are former Miner players, while Higgins (1998- 2003) and Whitten (1994-95) have both coached at UTEP previously.
Captains
The Miners’ 2014 captains are all seniors — RBNathan Jeffery, QBJameill Showersand TEEric Tomlinson(offense), DBWesley Miller(defense) and DBTraun Roberson(special teams).
The Roster
The Miners’ 105-man roster includes 23 seniors, 23 juniors, 24 sophomores and 35 freshmen (26 true/nine redshirt). With 59 of its 105 players beingeither freshmen or sophomores (56.2 percent), UTEP has the fifth-youngest team in Conference USA behind Rice (68.3 percent), Western Kentucky (63.8), FIU (61.0) and North Texas (58.1). UTEP has 43 returning lettermen (18 offense/21 defense/four special teams) and 19 returning starters (eight offense/seven defense/four special teams). Senior OLJerel Watkinsleads the Miners with 29 starts, followed by senior TEEric Tomlinson(21) and senior RBNathan Jeffery(18). Among defensive players, senior LBAnthony Puenteleads with 13 starts, while sophomore DB Devin Cockrell, junior DBIshmael Harrisonand senior DBWesley Millerhave 12 starts apiece.
Centennial Team
UTEP unveiled its football Centennial team, featuring a total of 35 players who defined the program over a period of eight decades starting in the 1930’s, on Aug. 17. The selections are DBsQuintin Demps(2004-07),Eugene Epps(1967-68),Charlie West(1965-67) andJesse Whittenton(1952-55); DLsGeorge Daney(1965-67),Wayne Hansen(1947-49),Tony Tolbert(1986-88) andBrian Young(1995-99); KChris Jacke(1984-88); KRCedric Johnson(1993-96); LBsFred Carr(1965-67),Thomas Howard(2002-05),Seth Joyner(1982-85) andBarron Wortham(1990-93); LSJon Dorenbos(2000-02); OLsTrey Darilek(2000-03),Raymond Evans(1942-47),Ernest Keily(1946-49),Thurman Randle(1966-67) andJames Spady(1985-88); PRHugh Harman(1953-56); POwen Price(1938-41); QBsPat Hegarty(1987-88),Jordan Palmer(2003-06) andBilly Stevens(1965-67); RBsJohn Harvey(1985-88),Ken Heineman(1937-39),Howard Jackson(2001-04) andFred Wendt(1942-48); TEsBrian Natkin(1997-00) andBob Wallace(1965-67); and WRsJohnnie Lee Higgins Jr.(2003-06),Chuck Hughes(1964-66),Don Maynard(1954-56) andLee Mays(1998-01). UTEP will honor its Football Centennial Team at the home game versus North Texas on Nov. 15.
Up Next
Next week the Miners will enjoy the first of two bye weeks this season before hitting the road to face Kansas State on Sept. 27 in Manhattan. UTEP last played at Kansas State during the 1999 season and lost 40-7. The Miners are 1-1 all-time versus the Wildcats, including a 20-6 win at El Paso in 1947. A week later, UTEP will play its second consecutive game away from the Sun City as it opens the C-USA slate at Louisiana Tech (Oct. 4).
Source: UTEP Athletics
