HALFTIME: New Mexico leads UTEP at the half 21-0

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KVIA) -- New Mexico football (3-1) is off to a solid start to it's first game of conference play, leading their old conference rival UTEP (1-3) by a score of 21 to 0 at halftime.

The Lobos have controlled the game on both sides of the ball, using their physical front seven to keep the Miners' offense from finding a rhythm.

New Mexico entered the game with just one loss this season, falling to Oklahoma, and has leaned heavily on its defense throughout the year.

For UTEP, turnovers and complementary football were major points of emphasis coming into the game. Head coach Scotty Walden said the Miners would need to play four quarters of quality football and find a way to get stops in the red zone.

UTEP also knew it would need strong eye discipline in the secondary to prevent New Mexico from creating explosive plays. Lobos with 275 total passing yards in contrast to UTEP's 98.

The Miners will have 30 minutes to try to erase a 21-point deficit and open Mountain West play with a win.