UTEP Miners

For Starters
UTEP (5-2, 3-1 WAC) will conclude a two-game road swing with a matchup at San Jose State (2-4, 1-2) on Oct. 30. The Miners, winners of five of their last six games, are 2-0 in league road contests including triumphs at Fresno State (24-21) and Louisiana Tech (44-27). San Jose State has dropped its last two contests to Washington (21-6) and Hawaii (46-28), both on the road. However, the Spartans are 2-0 at home with victories over Morgan State (47-28) and Rice (70-63).

The Spartans have emerged victorious in the last three meetings with UTEP, and are 2-1 against the Miners in San Jose.

Do You Believe?
Following three consecutive two-win seasons from 2001-03, UTEP has enjoyed a renaissance year under new head coach Mike Price. For the first time in four years, the Miners are gaining recognition in the national polls. UTEP received votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 polls on Sunday. The Miners tallied five votes in the AP poll, and would be rated No. 33 if the poll were expanded to include 40 teams. UTEP picked up three votes in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, which would tie for No. 39 in the country.

Boise State and UTEP are the only WAC schools earning votes in the polls. The Broncos (7-0, 4-0 WAC) are ranked 15th by ESPN/USA Today and 18th by AP. UTEP hasn't garnered votes in the Top 25 polls since the 2000 campaign, when the Miners were 8-4 and won a share of the WAC title. UTEP first began receiving votes on Oct. 22, 2000 following a 23-13 victory over Fresno State in the Sun Bowl. The Miners continued to receive votes throughout the remainder of the season, but were never listed in the Top 25. In fact, UTEP hasn't found its name in the Top 25 since 1988, when the Miners went 10-3 under head coach -- and current Director of Athletics -- Bob Stull.

On The Radio
UTEP's English flagship station is KROD 600 AM. The announcers are Jon Teicher (play-by-play) and Bernie Ricono (color commentary). Teicher is in his 24th season as "Voice of the Miners." Ricono was the Miners' defensive coordinator from 1977-79. The pregame show begins at 2 p.m. Mountain time. The game will also be carried on KBUY 1360 AM in Ruidoso, N.M.

On Television
Saturday's game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable Channel 7 in El Paso as part of a simulcast with KROD 600 AM. Jon Teicher will handle the play-by-play and Bernie Ricono will provide the color commentary.

Scouting The Spartans
The Spartans feature a strong running attack with back Tyson Thompson. He is second in the WAC and 18th in the NCAA -- one spot ahead of UTEP's Howard Jackson -- with 107.8 yards per game. San Jose State ranks 47th in the country in rushing offense (167.3 ypg).

QB Dale Rogers ranks 13th in the NCAA and first in the WAC in passing efficiency. He has a rating of 151.5 and averages 132.5 yards in the air this season.

Safety Brian Nunez has proven to be a pest for opposing quarterbacks. He has picked off three passes in five games played this season, a figure which ranks fifth in the country.

San Jose State rates fifth nationally in punt returns and 26th in kickoff returns. The Spartans average 17.6 yards on punt returns and 22.7 yards on kickoff returns. San Jose State has allowed 170 passing yards per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA.

UTEP/San Jose State Ties
UTEP brothers Jeremy Jones (LB) and Victor Jones (DB) are both from San Jose, Calif. They each attended Piedmont Hills High School. San Jose State PK Jeff Carr also attended Piedmont Hills High.

Miner DB Adrian Ward attended the same high school -- Hayward HS -- as San Jose State OL John Booker.

UTEP QB Jordan Palmer and DB Joe Fleskoski and San Jose State PK Jeff Ferrier are graduates of Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Miner P Bryce Benekos played high school football with San Jose State OT John Toensfeldt at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, Calif.

UTEP's and San Jose State's coaching staffs have no ties.

Last Meeting
San Jose State scored 69 points -- a Sun Bowl record -- and quarterback Scott Rislov set a stadium standard for passing yardage in a 69-41 win over UTEP on Nov. 8, 2003.

The previous Sun Bowl record for points -- 68 -- was established by UTEP against UT-Arlington in 1966. The Miners and Spartans teamed to score 110 points, another stadium mark.

Rislov's 543 yards passing set a new stadium record, and his seven touchdown passes tied the record which was set by UTEP's Sammy Garza versus Northern Michigan in 1986.

In addition, Rislov tied the Sun Bowl opponent record for completions (28), and tight end Courtney Anderson tied the opponent record for touchdown catches (three).

The Spartans scored 48 points in the first half, another record by a UTEP foe.

The Miners tied the game at 13 on a 48-yard field goal by Keith Robinson with 11:49 remaining in the second quarter, but San Jose State outscored UTEP 49-7 over the next 27 minutes for a 62-20 lead.

A highlight for UTEP was junior running back Howard Jackson becoming only the eighth player in school history to rush for over 2,000 yards. Jackson reached the milestone on a 78-yard spurt in the first quarter. Jackson finished with 144 yards rushing.

QB Jordan Palmer completed 11 of 22 passes for 112 yards with three interceptions. Orlando Cruz replaced him in the second half and finished 12 of 18 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

Three Spartans had 100 yards receiving -- Tuati Wooden (136), Leon Pinky (109) and Anderson (100). The two teams combined for 1,294 yards -- 664 by San Jose State and 630 by UTEP.

It was the most yards surrendered by the Miner defense since Sept. 24, 1994 at Air Force (700).

National Rankings
One of the reasons for UTEP's success has been its special teams performance. The Miners rank 16th nationally in net punting (39.2 ypp), 18th in punt returns (13.8 ypr) and 34th in kickoff returns (22.3 ypr).

UTEP is 43rd in total offense, averaging 384.9 yards per game. The Miners rank 23rd in scoring offense (33.7 ppg), 45th in passing offense (227.7 ypg) and 45th in passing efficiency (129.6). On the ground, they are 55th with 157.1 yards per game.

UTEP is 54th in total defense, surrendering 356 yards per game. The Miners rank 48th in scoring defense (22.3 ppg), seventh in passing efficiency defense (99.9), 48th in rushing defense (131.4 ypg) and 75th in passing defense (224.6 ypg).

UTEP is 31st in turnover margin (0.57).

Making The National Scene
The Miners have seven players -- Howard Jackson, Jordan Palmer, Jahmal Fenner, Bryce Benekos, Reagan Schneider, Adrian Ward and Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. -- who are listed among the NCAA statistical leaders.

Jackson is sixth in all-purpose yards (167 ypg), 19th in rushing (106.6 ypg) and 78th in scoring (6.9 ppg).

Palmer is 57th in passing efficiency with a rating of 125.5 and 60th in total offense (202.3 ypg).

Fenner is sixth in interceptions with 0.6 per game and 11th in punt returns, averaging 16 yards per attempt.

Benekos is ninth in punting, averaging 44.6 yards per kick.

Schneider is sixth in field goals (1.7 pg) and 16th in scoring (8.9 ppg).

Higgins ranks 88th with 57.6 receiving yards per game and Ward is 21st with 0.4 interceptions per game.

Reconstruction Ahead Of Schedule
UTEP posted three consecutive two-win seasons from 2001-03. Through seven games the Miners are one victory away from equaling their three-year win total.

The Miners are one win away from securing a winning season for the first time since 2000. UTEP has had just three winning campaigns (1987, 1988, 2000) since 1971.

The Miners are two wins away from becoming bowl eligible. With an 11-game schedule, a team needs to post six victories over NCAA I-A opponents. UTEP defeated I-AA Weber State 32-0 on Sept. 11.

UTEP's remaining opponents were 7-20 combined entering the week. The remaining slate includes matchups with San Jose State (2-4), Rice (3-4), SMU (1-6) and Tulsa (1-6).

Perfect In October?
UTEP could cap off an undefeated run in October with a win at San Jose State on Saturday. The Miners are 4-0 this month and are seeking perfection in October for the first time since 2000 (3-0).

With a victory over the Spartans, the Miners would also tie a school record for wins in the month of October with five, set in 1932 and 1988.

The Miners were also unbeaten in October in 1919 (1-0), 1930 (4-0), 1936 (3-0-1), 1937 (2-0-2), 1948 (3-0-1), 1953 (4-0), 1955 (3-0-1), 1957 (3-0), 1960 (4-0), 1966 (4-0) and 1967 (2-0-1).

In The Polls II
UTEP has met three teams which have been ranked in the top 25 this season -- Arizona State, Boise State and Fresno State -- and posted a 1-2 record against those schools.

Boise State is currently 7-0 and 18th in the Associated Press top-25 poll. Arizona State (6-1) is ranked 20th by the AP. Fresno State was rated as high as 19th before falling to Louisiana Tech on Oct. 2.

The combined record of the two teams which have beaten UTEP this season is 13-1.

Rolling Strikes
UTEP has defeated two teams which saw action in the postseason in 2003.

Both Fresno State and Hawaii capped off the 2003 season with bowl appearances. It is the first time the Miners have beaten two teams that participated in bowl games the previous year since 2000.

In 2000 UTEP defeated Hawaii (Oahu Bowl in 1999) and Fresno State (Las Vegas Bowl in 1999).

Deja Vu All Over Again?
The 2000 season was magical. Could the 2004 campaign -- Mike Price's first season as head coach -- be another special year?

UTEP's record through seven games mirrors its 2000 mark in as many contests. The 2000 Miners went on to finish 8-4, win a share of the WAC title and earn a spot in the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Like 2000, the Miners lost their first and third games before starting a winning streak. UTEP has currently won four straight games. In 2000, the Miners rattled off a school-record seven consecutive victories.

The two teams have several similarities through seven games. See the accompanying box comparing the two teams through seven games.

Win Streak
UTEP has won four consecutive games, which is currently the 13th-longest streak in the country. Boise State has the longest current winning streak at 18 games, followed by USC at 16.

Four consecutive wins have not been a common occurrence for the Miners. Since 1971, UTEP has won four games in a row just three times (7-2000, 6-1986-87, 6-1988).

There Really Is No Place Like Home
UTEP, which is in its 37th and final season in the Western Athletic Conference, has struggled mightily in league road games, posting a 23-114-1 record since 1968.

The Miners will be looking for their third consecutive road victory when they play at San Jose State. UTEP defeated Fresno State 24-21 on Oct. 9 in Fresno, Calif. and Louisiana Tech 44-27 on Oct. 23 in Ruston, La.

The last time UTEP won three straight road games was during the 2000 season (Tulsa, San Jose State, Nevada).

UTEP has won more than one conference game on the road in five seasons (1969, 1970, 1987, 1988, 2000). The Miners posted three WAC road victories in 1987 and 2000.

From 1980 to 1986, UTEP lost 25 consecutive conference road games.

While three is the school record for WAC road victories, five is the mark for losses. UTEP played five of its seven WAC games on the road in 1979, and dropped each of those contests.

UTEP will become a member of Conference USA on July 1, 2005.

You Can Say He Is One Of The Best
Statistics indicate that RB Howard Jackson is one of the top players in all of college football.

Jackson is second in the country among active players with 5,530 career all-purpose yards behind Kansas State's Darren Sproles, who has 6,025. Texas' Cedric Benson is third, behind Jackson, with 5,395 yards. Benson has played in 58 games and had 1,029 plays, compared to Jackson's 40 games and 709 plays.

Jackson ranks 10th among active players with 3,025 rushing yards. He is also third with 76 kickoff returns and 1,810 kickoff return yards.

Interceptions Have Become Common
The Miners rank second in the country with 13 interceptions this season, two behind leader Michigan.

Senior Jahmal Fenner is tops on the squad with four picks. He is 17th among active players in the country with nine during his career. Senior Adrian Ward is right behind Fenner with three picks, after snagging two last weekend at Louisiana Tech.

Robert Rodriguez, Thomas Howard, Quintin Demps, Mark Dowdy, Chris Mineo and James Delgardo also have one interception to their credit.

Ward has had several near interceptions. He currently leads the team and is third in the WAC with eight pass breakups this season.

Miners Will Take It Away
UTEP has forced a turnover in each of its last 26 games. The Miners forced four more turnovers last weekend at Louisiana Tech to add to the streak.

The Miners have also had an interception in their last 10 games dating back to 2003. The streak is the longest in the modern area of football (post-1964) at the school, breaking the nine-game streak of 2000.

UTEP has also recorded two interceptions or more in its last five outings. The Miners had five games in a row with two or more interceptions during the 1965 and 1989 seasons, and six in a row in 1966 and 1988.

This season the Miners have had seven fumble takeaways and 13 interceptions. They rank fifth in the nation with their 20 takeaways.

Slippery When Wet Or Dry
While UTEP has been racking up the takeaways, the Miners have had their share of fumbles over the last few games. Howard Jackson, who has fumbled seven times this year (five lost), lost two fumbles each at Fresno State and Louisiana Tech.

Four of Jackson's five fumbles lost have come on the road this season.

Nearly Automatic When Seeing Red
The Miners have scored 25 times in 28 trips to the red zone this season. UTEP has totaled 20 touchdowns and five field goals.

Over the last three games, UTEP is 13 for 13 in the red zone with 11 touchdowns and a pair of field goals.

Jackson And The Century Mark
Howard Jackson has eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards 13 times during his career. The Miners are 7-6 when Jackson rushes for over 100 yards, including 4-0 in 2004. Jackson is only three 100-yard games away from tying John Harvey's school record of 16.

Jackson has rushed for over 100 yards in his last two games (138-Hawaii, 114-Louisiana Tech). His personal record for consecutive 100-yard games is four, set last season (Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Tulsa, San Jose State).

Jackson has rushed for 224 yards on 33 carries (6.8 ypc), including two touchdowns in three games against San Jose State (he did not attempt a rush in 2001 against SJSU).

Blitzkrieg Offense Continues
The Miners' offense has been striking quick this season. UTEP has scored on its first offensive drive four times (Weber State, Boise State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech). In six out of seven games, the Miners have scored within their first three drives. It took nine drives before the Miners hit paydirt in the opener at Arizona State. UTEP is 5-1 when scoring first this season.

The Sack Man Is Coming
UTEP has done a fine job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks this season. The Miners have posted 21 sacks through seven games. UTEP had 21 sacks in 2003, 19 in 2002, 16 in 2001 and 30 in 2000.

LB Thomas Howard and DL Chris Mineo have been terrorizing quarterbacks. Howard has five sacks, while Mineo has posted six. Howard is one sack away from joining the UTEP single-season top 10 list. Melvin Besses holds the school record with 11.0 during the 1979 season.

The Miners had a season-high six sacks versus Louisiana Tech on Oct. 23.

Raining Touchdowns Through The AIr
Jordan Palmer has done something no UTEP quarterback has accomplished since the 1967 season -- he has passed for four or more touchdowns in consecutive games (five-Hawaii, four-Louisiana Tech). The last quarterback to achieve this feat was Billy Stevens against BYU (six) and New Mexico (six) 37 years ago. Since 1950, Stevens and Palmer are the only two UTEP quarterbacks to pass for four touchdowns or more in back-to-back games (UTEP quarterbacks combined for back-to-back 4+ TD games in 1965 as well). No UTEP quarterback has thrown for four or more touchdowns in three consecutive games.

Palmer has completed 115 of 203 passes for 1,430 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. His passing efficiency rating for the season is 125.5.

Palmer is 57 for 96 (59 percent) for 761 yards and 10 touchdowns over his last three games. He holds a passing efficiency rating of 152.0 during this time.

Palmer is the younger brother of Carson Palmer, winner of the 2002 Heisman Trophy at USC and the first pick by Cincinnati in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Just Johnnie Lee, Thank You
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. is making a name for himself with his knack for finding the end zone.

Higgins has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last five contests, the most consecutive games with a TD reception for a Miner since Lee Mays caught touchdown passes in 10 straight games in 2000.

Jordan Palmer and Higgins hooked up for the second-longest pass play in Bulldog Stadium history with a 91-yard score on Oct. 9 at Fresno State.

Higgins is fourth on the team with 18 receptions, and leads the squad with 403 receiving yards and five scores. Fourteen out of his 18 receptions have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown this season.

Cutting Down The Passing Game
UTEP has limited its opponents to under 10 pass completions in three out of seven games this season (Weber State, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech), which is the most since the 2001 season (four). The school record for games in a season holding opponents to under 10 completions is eight, set in 1972 and 1976. UTEP hasn't held opponents to less than 10 completions in back-to-back contests since doing so versus Rice and TCU in 1999.

You Can Put It On The Board . . .
The Miners are averaging 33.7 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA and third in the WAC this year.

The scoring average is third best in school annals since 1950. UTEP averaged 35.9 points in 1967 and 35.6 in 1988.

UTEP's 51 points versus Hawaii were the most since scoring 59 against Sam Houston State in 2003. It was the most scored on a Division I-A opponent since putting up 54 points versus New Mexico State in 1999.

UTEP has now scored 40 or more points in three out of its last four games, including 51 and 44 in its last two games. The three 40-point games are the most since 2000, when the Miners had four 40-point outings. The school record for 40-point games is five, set in 1950.

You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide
Last week the Miners contained the WAC's leading rusher, Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats, holding him to 99 yards rushing. The Miners' rushing defense is 48th in the country and second in the WAC, allowing 131.4 yards per game.

UTEP limited Hawaii to 77 yards on the ground on Oct. 16. It was the second time this season that the Miners have held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing. UTEP limited Weber State to 34 yards on the ground on Sept. 11.

The Miners had five games in 2000 in which they did not allow their opponent to rush for over 100 yards.

Since 1965, UTEP has now limited its opponent to under 100 yards rushing in 25 games.

Big-Time Impact For Price
Head Coach Mike Price is one of 14 coaches who are new at NCAA Division I-A schools this season. He currently has the most wins and the best winning percentage among new head coaches.

Price was named National Coach of the Year when he led Washington State to a 10-2 record and a Rose Bowl appearance in 1997. Price is not the only former national coach of the year to start at a new school this year. Army's Bobby Ross and Central Florida's George O'Leary have also earned that honor in the past. Ross was the 1990 National Coach of the Year after directing Georgia Tech to an 11-0-1 record, while O'Leary was also recognized after leading Georgia Tech to a 9-3 mark in 1999.

First time Division I-A coaches include J.D. Brookhart (Akron), Mike Stoops (Arizona), Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Mark Dantonio (Cincinnati), Jeff Genyk (Eastern Michigan), Nick Holt (Idaho), Sylvester Croom (Mississippi State) and Bill Callahan (Nebraska).

Price has now compiled a 134-124 record in a 23-year coaching career at Weber State (1981-88), Washington State (1989-2002) and UTEP (2004). He directed the Cougars to three 10-win seasons (1997, 2001, 2002). During his 14 years in Pullman, Price coached five players who were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, including quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf.

Fenner Makes Miners Winners
Senior DB Jahmal Fenner has stepped up his play in 2004. He leads the team with four interceptions and has posted 22 tackles -- including one sack -- as well as broken up four passes, forced a fumble and applied one QB hurry.

Fenner ranks sixth in the country with 0.6 interceptions per game and is 11th averaging 16 yards per punt return. He has had three punt returns for over 20 yards this season.

With nine interceptions, Fenner is one away from etching his name onto UTEP's all-time top 10 list. He also ranks 17th among active college players.

Rodriguez Continues To Lead In Tackles
Senior LB Robert Rodriguez has amassed a whopping 382 tackles in his career despite having a down year (50 stops) in 2002. He has led the WAC in tackles two of the last three years, registering 137 stops in 2001 and 135 in 2003.

This season Rodriguez has piled up 60 tackles, including eight tackles for losses, a sack and an interception.

An El Paso native and converted running back, Rodriguez had a personal best 22 stops against SMU and Rice in 2001. He has posted double-digit tackles in 19 career games, including nine of the last 10 contests in 2003.

Rodriguez's 382 career tackles rank fifth nationally among all active players. He also ranks eighth on the UTEP career list. Next on the list is Pete Shufelt (1989-92), who posted 385 stops in his Miner career.

Rodriguez is trying to become only the fourth Miner to lead the team in tackles in three seasons this year. This was previously achieved by Raymond Morris (1980-83), Barron Wortham (1990-93) and Michael Comer (1994-96). Morris, Wortham and Comer all went on to enjoy NFL stints. Morris was with Chicago, Comer was with Arizona and Wortham was with Houston, Tennessee and Dallas.

Benekos Ranks Ninth Nationally
Senior P Bryce Benekos ranks ninth in the NCAA with a punting average of 44.6 yards this year. He hopes to continue his improvement each week and gain consideration for the Ray Guy Award, which is presented to the college punter of the year.

Benekos boomed seven punts for an average of 46.1 yards, including a 66-yarder and three inside the 20, last week at Louisiana Tech.

Benekos rates second in school history in punts (236) and punting yards (9,700). His punting average has risen steadily in four years with the Miners, from 34.5 as a freshman to 40.8 in 2002, 44.1 in 2003 and 44.6 this season. His 44.6 average in 2004 stands as the fourth-best seasonal figure in UTEP history.

No active punter in the country has had as many punts or punt yardage as Benekos has had during his career.

In addition to ranking ninth in the country, Benekos leads the WAC in punting average. He has also pinned 13 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Benekos, who got married during the off season, is a three-time Academic All-WAC pick.

A Lotta Action From This Jackson
Senior RB Howard Jackson, a Doak Walker Award candidate, seeks to continue his climb up the UTEP charts when the Miners meet San Jose State. The slight (5-9, 160) but speedy (4.26 time in the 40) Jackson ranks second in career rushing yardage (3,025), fourth in rushing attempts (574) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (21). The Freeport, Texas native has had 13 career 100-yard rushing games, which is second on the all-time list.

Jackson is now 551 yards away from tying school record-holder John Harvey (1985-86-87-88). Jackson will need to average 137.8 yards per game over the last four contests to catch Harvey.

Jackson will also move into third place for carries with 29 more attempts, tying Paul Smith (1996-97-98-99).

Jackson has already smashed UTEP's career all-purpose yardage record. He has 5,530 all-purpose yards -- tops in school history -- and has averaged 138.3 all-purpose yards per contest, which is also best in the record books. Last season Jackson racked up 2,146 all-purpose yards, shattering Hughes' single-season mark which had stood for nearly 40 years.

Jackson rates third on the Miner charts in kickoff returns (76) and kickoff return yardage (1,810).

Jackson, who returned one punt for five yards at Rice in 2001, recorded the second punt return of his career at Louisiana Tech on Oct. 23. He picked up nine yards on the return.

Jackson Chasing Down History
Howard Jackson is just 56 all-purpose yards away from cracking the NCAA's all-time list. Jackson currently has 5,530 total yards and should join the top 40 in his final season with the Miners. Currently 40th on the all-time list is Johnny Rodgers (1970-71-72) of Nebraska. Ricky Williams (1995-96-97-98) of Texas is the all-time record-holder with 7,206 all-purpose yards.

Making An Impact
Senior linebackers Robert Rodriguez and Godwin Akinduro were on the field together for the first time in their careers at Arizona State. Previously Akinduro backed up Rodriguez. He was switched from middle linebacker to weak side linebacker under the new staff.

The duo is currently 1-2 on the team in tackles. Rodriguez leads the unit with 60 stops, while Akinduro has posted 56 over seven games. Rodriguez is also second on the team with eight tackles for losses. He has one sack, four QB hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception (18 yards at Fresno State). Akinduro has two tackles for losses and has recovered two fumbles.

Akinduro picked up 12 tackles against New Mexico State to earn WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Throw in Thomas Howard -- UTEP's starting strong side linebacker -- and you have a terrific trio. Howard ranks fourth on the team with 31 tackles. Howard, a big playmaker, has nine TFLs, five sacks, an interception, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 2004.

Punt Return Specialist
Senior Jahmal Fenner returned three punts for 98 yards at Arizona State. The 98 yards stand as the 11th-highest single-game total in school history. Fenner had 115 yards (ranks fifth) in 2001 against Texas Southern.

He also had his career-long return of 84 yards in the fourth quarter versus the Sun Devils. His previous long was 62 yards last year against Cal Poly. Fenner currently ranks 11th in the NCAA in punt return average (16 ypr).

Fenner (80 career returns) holds the school record for career punt returns. The previous record was held by Javier Sanchez (1996-97-98, 2000) with 70. Fenner now has 833 career punt return yards. Gerald Campbell (1949-50-51) is the career record-holder with 874 yards.

Schneider Remains Perfect
Sophomore Reagan Schneider has scored 62 points this season, with 12 field goals and 26 PATs. Schneider is 12-for-12 on field goals this season, including a long of 52 yards. He is also 26-for-27 (96.3 percent) in PAT tries.

His 12 field goals already rank sixth-best in the school's single-season records, and his 62 points rank seventh.

He is 7-for-7 on field goals of 40 yards or more this season. Last year he was 0-for-3 from that range.

Schneider booted four field goals -- including a 52-yarder before halftime -- to tie the school record against Weber State. His four field goals tied Scott Wedell (1983 vs. Weber State), Chris Jacke (1988 vs. Colorado State) and Jason Gillespie (1990 vs. Hawaii and 1990 at Colorado State) for the top figure in school annals.

Schneider also set a personal high with 14 points twice this season, first against Weber State and then at Louisiana Tech. The 14 points are the most by a kicker since Jacke had 16 points (three field goals, seven PATs) in a 58-7 win over San Diego State on Nov. 12, 1988.

Schneider is currently sixth in the NCAA with 1.7 field goals made per game, and 16th with 8.9 points per game.

He is on pace to crack UTEP's top 10 list for points in a season. If he maintains his current pace he would finish with 97 points, which would rank fourth in school annals.

Defense Key To Miner Success
While much of UTEP's defensive personnel is the same as from the 2003 squad which allowed 448.3 yards per game, the unit has staged a dramatic turnaround under new coordinator Tim Hundley. In 2004 the Miners rate 54th nationally in total defense (356.0 ypg), including seventh in passing efficiency defense (99.9) and 48th in rushing defense (131.4 ypg).

Hundley's defense has limited two opponents to under 250 yards (112 vs. Weber State, 226 vs. New Mexico State). It is the first time that UTEP has performed such a feat since the 2000 season, and only the 12th time since 1965.

Against Weber State, UTEP put up its best defensive effort since the 1967 Sun Bowl game, when it allowed 109 yards in a 14-7 victory over Mississippi. The Miners held Weber State to 112 yards of total offense (34 rushing, 78 passing). The performance marked only the eighth time since 1965 that the Miners have limited an opponent to under 150 yards of offense.

The Pride Of El Paso
Backup quarterback Omar Duarte has played in 17 collegiate games and completed 95-of-184 passes (51.6 percent) for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns. Duarte has thrown four interceptions, but has not thrown one in his last 121 attempts. He is 10-for-15 (66.7 percent) with 146 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Fewer Mistakes
The Miners rank 20th nationally with the fewest penalties per game (5.4 ppg) and 25th in fewest penalty yards per game (45.02 pypg).

UTEP has committed two penalties in two out of seven games this year.

The 2003 UTEP squad was the most penalized team in school history, finishing the year with 109 penalties for 864 yards. Through seven games in 2004, UTEP has committed 38 mistakes for 315 yards.

No Flaws At All
After the Miners turned the ball over five times (four interceptions and a fumble) in the opener at Arizona State, UTEP did not give up the ball once in the 32-0 victory over Weber State. It was the first time the Miners did not have a turnover in a game since defeating SMU on Oct. 4, 2003. During the past three seasons (2001-03) the Miners had only two games with no turnovers, while committing a whopping 108 miscues during that span.

Games without turnovers are rare for UTEP teams. Since the 1965 season the Miners have played 435 games and have had only 29 games (6.7 percent) with no turnovers. The school record for most games without a turnover in a season is four, set in 1988.

Turnovers haven't been a problem for the Miners in 2004. They have had 16 giveaways and 20 takeaways this season. Their turnover margin of 0.6 ranks 31st in the NCAA.

UTEP has not finished the season with a plus turnover margin since 2000 (+0.4 tm). Last year the Miners finished with 40 turnovers (-1.2 tm). In 2002 UTEP had 37 miscues (-1.6 tm), and in 2001 the Miners had 31 (-0.9 tm).

No More Fumbles
The Miners have made tremendous strides holding onto the football. UTEP has had only six turnovers via the fumble this year.

Through seven games last year, UTEP had given up 10 fumbles. The two fumble giveaways this season marks the best start for the Miners since they only had two fumbles lost through seven games in 1988.

The Miners have had 10 turnovers via the interception. Jordan Palmer had four interceptions at Arizona State and again versus Hawaii. The Miners are 4-0 when quarterbacks do not throw an interception this season.

True Freshmen
Former Parade All-American Marcus Thomas and Paul Darby have been the only true freshmen on the field for the Miners in 2004.

Thomas is being eased into the college game. He has rushed 26 times for 95 yards, and caught three passes for seven yards. Thomas had career highs for rushes (nine) and yards (32) against New Mexico State.

Darby, who has been suspended indefinitely, saw his first collegiate action on special teams against Boise State.

Along with Thomas and Darby, 11 other Miners currently on the active roster saw action as true freshmen. Among them are Matt Austin (debut in 2001), Bryce Benekos (debut in 2001), Mark Dowdy (debut in 2000), Justin Hunt (debut in 2000), Howard Jackson (debut in 2001), Jeremy Jones (debut in 2003), Aaron King (debut in 2003), Chris Marrow (debut in 2003), Phillip Moss (debut in 2002), Reagan Schneider (debut in 2003) and Jimmy Smith (debut in 2001).

O-Line Is Youngest Unit
UTEP's biggest graduation losses from 2003 are in the offensive line. Three starters have departed -- RG Robert Clayton, LT Trey Darilek and C Chris Kerr. Darilek was chosen by Philadelphia in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Two of this year's starters -- junior LG Jose Garcia and senior RT Robert Espinosa -- have started 17 and 25 career games, respectively. Senior RG Ben Graniello has started on 12 occasions. Senior Bo Morris and junior Josh House -- who start at center and left tackle, respectively -- made the first starts of their careers in the season opener at Arizona State. Morris and House have started all seven games this season.

Also seeing action in the offensive line this season have been Anthony Casey (four games), Alex Dimatteo (five games), Luis Espinosa (seven games), Tim Ford (two games), Dustin Gersch (two games), James Riley (seven games), Clay Salima (four games), Andy Smith (five games) and Jordan Tubig (two games).

Turning Defensive
The Miners have six defensive players who began their careers on the other side of the ball, including starting linebackers Robert Rodriguez (running back) and Godwin Akinduro (tight end). Mark Dowdy (wide receiver), Matt Elwood (wide receiver), Justin Gissendanner (offensive line) and Phillip Moss (quarterback) also came to UTEP as offensive players.

Moss played one game at quarterback against Boise State in 2002. He went three of 13 for 25 yards in that contest. He was redshirted last year to make the transition to defense.

Senior Jimmy Smith began his Miner career on the defensive side of the ball before switching to running back. He notched 14 tackles in eight games in 2001.

Media Takes Notice
The hiring of Mike Price has brought a great deal of national attention to the UTEP football program. Since the beginning of August, television crews from ESPN, Fox Sports Net Southwest and College Sports Television (CSTV) have made visits to Miner practices. Also in attendance have been writers from the Associated Press Dallas bureau, Albuquerque Journal, Arizona Republic, Denver Post and ESPN The Magazine. USA Today also ran a piece on Price via the Reno Gazette Journal in late July.

All In The Family
When it comes to the UTEP football coaching staff, the Price is right -- times three. Father Mike is the head coach, and sons Aaron and Eric are the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, respectively. Although the Prices bring a combined 56 years of coaching experience to the gridiron, 2004 marks the first time that they have worked together on the same staff. Eric played for his father at Weber State in 1988, and Aaron was Mike Price's kicker at Washington State from 1991-93.

Gone Bowling
The Miners know what it takes to win. Fifteen players are still around from the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl team which finished the season 8-4. Seniors Mark Dowdy and Justin Hunt each saw action in the bowl game. The other Miners redshirted that season. Among those players are Godwin Akinduro, Jonas Crafts, Dirk Dillard, Omar Duarte, Matt Elwood, Robert Espinosa, Jahmal Fenner, Brian Givens, Ben Graniello, Ibok Ibok, Bo Morris, Aaron Osborn and Robert Rodriguez.

Breaking Down the 2004 Miners
The 2004 UTEP roster features 97 players -- 21 seniors, 30 juniors, 23 sophomores and 23 freshmen. The Miners have a large senior class for the first time since 1998, when they had 25 seniors (UTEP had 13 seniors in 2000 and 2001, 16 in 2002 and seven in 2003).

Oh Brother
UTEP has four brother combinations on its 2004 roster: the Espinosas (OL Luis and OL Robert), the Givens (WR Aaron and RB Johan), the Hunts (TE Jamar and TE Justin) and the Jones (LB Jeremy and DB Victor).

3.0 Club
Thirteen Miners had grade point averages of 3.0 or better at the conclusion of the spring 2004 semester. They are sophomore DL Jake Belshe, senior P Bryce Benekos, freshman QB Joe Castro, senior DB Matt Elwood, junior DL Tevita Fifita, senior DL Brian Givens, senior OL Ben Graniello, freshman TE Jamar Hunt, senior DB Victor Jones, senior OL Bo Morris, senior DB Mike Perez, freshman DL James Riley and sophomore PK Reagan Schneider.

Four Miners are playing the 2004 season as graduate students -- Givens, Graniello, senior TE Justin Hunt and Morris.

From The Weight Room
Some noteworthy numbers from the Miner strength and conditioning program ... senior RB Howard Jackson has been timed at 4.26 in the 40, while sophomore WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. has been timed at 4.28 and freshman DB Quintin Demps at 4.31. UTEP's team average in the 40 is 4.79 seconds, down from 4.95 in 2003. Junior LB Thomas Howard, at 230 pounds, has posted a 4.38 time in the 40.

Nine Miners have registered vertical jumps of 40 inches or better, compared to two in 2003. Twenty-six players have vertical jumps of over 35 inches.

Senior DLs Ibok Ibok and Aaron Osborn can both bench press 429 pounds. Twenty-five players bench pressed 350+ pounds over the summer, compared to 17 in the summer of 2003.

Junior WR Jayson Boyd has achieved a standing long jump of 10 feet seven inches. Junior DB Cedric Click has the top vertical jump on the team at 42.5 inches.

Miner Nuggets
Joe Fleskoski returned to the lineup for the first time at Louisiana Tech after missing the New Mexico State, Fresno State and Hawaii games with a knee injury...senior Matt Elwood made his first appearance of the season at Louisiana Tech. Elwood had missed the first six games recovering from a broken arm...senior Mike Perez made his first start of the season as an extra linebacker against Hawaii. It was the eighth start of his career...the Miners are 5-0 when leading at the half and when leading entering the fourth quarter...Jonas Crafts has caught a TD pass in consecutive games and in three out of the last four games. Crafts did not have a TD reception in the first 28 games of his career. The back-to-back games with a touchdown are the first by a Miner tight end since 2000, when Joey Knapp had back-to-back games with a touchdown reception...Crafts led UTEP with four receptions at Louisiana Tech. It was this first time in 2004 that he led the team in receptions...WR Chris Marrow, UTEP's leading receiver with 22 catches for 242 yards, went out with a knee injury against Hawaii....Oniel Cousins appeared in his second game of the year at Louisiana Tech...Daniel Robinson had his first catch as a Miner at Louisiana Tech -- a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Palmer...Adrian Ward had his first multi-interception game at Louisiana Tech. He now has six picks in 19 career games...UTEP has controlled the time of possession line in four out of seven games...UTEP was 9-for-15 (60 percent) on third downs against Hawaii, its best average since Aug. 31, 2002 versus Sacramento State (12-for-20, 60 percent)...UTEP converted its first fourth down of the season in the first quarter versus Hawaii...the Miner defense had 12 QB hurries versus Hawaii...Reagan Schneider's average kickoff lands on the opponent's five yard line. Twelve of his 45 kickoffs (26.7 percent) have been touchbacks...Howard Jackson led UTEP with five receptions at Fresno State. It was the first time this year that he had the highest reception total on the team...since coming back from injury, Mark Dowdy has averaged 6.5 tackles in four contests...Jahmal Fenner posted the first sack of his career at Fresno State. It was the 36th game of his career...Jordan Palmer's 91-yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. at Fresno State was the second-longest pass in Bulldog Stadium history...UTEP's win at Fresno State was its first in Fresno since 1938...UTEP's opponents are 14 for 18 in red zone opportunities, with 11 touchdowns and three field goals...the Miners are 4-0 when Howard Jackson rushes for over 100 yards...Jackson was the last Miner to return a kickoff for a TD (Nevada, 2001) before he took the second-half kickoff 91 yards to the end zone versus New Mexico State...UTEP limited both Weber State and New Mexico State to less than 10 first downs, the first time this has happened twice in a season since 1997...DL Justin Hanel made his first collegiate start at left defensive end at Fresno State...WR Jayson Boyd has attempted two passes on wide receiver throwbacks. Both passes were incomplete and intended for Chris Francies. Francies tried to hit Boyd on a pass in the first quarter at Louisiana Tech, however it fell incomplete. UTEP's receivers are now 0-for-3 in pass attempts this season...three receivers -- junior Chris Francies and sophomores Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. and Chris Marrow -- have had 100-yard games at UTEP. Junior RB Matt Austin has gone over the century mark in rushing twice...RB Josh Chamois has two rushing TDs on three carries this season...Chris Francies had his first multi-touchdown game against Hawaii. He had three TDs which were the most since Lee Mays had three against Rice in 2000...WR Jayson Boyd had UTEP career highs with six catches for 40 yards against Hawaii...Hawaii and UTEP combined to throw 110 passes.

WAC Player of the Week Nominees
(Louisiana Tech game)

OFFENSE -- Jordan Palmer
(QB, 6-5, 230, SO-1L, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo HS)
Completed 17 of 29 passes for 259 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in UTEP's 44-27 win at Louisiana Tech...touchdown passes were for 7, 28, 65 and 13 yards...hit Chris Francies for a 13-yard touchdown on third and 12 with 5:24 remaining in the fourth quarter and UTEP leading 30-27...over the last two games, Palmer has thrown for nine touchdowns.

DEFENSE --Adrian Ward
(DB, 5-10, 170, SR-1L, Oakland, Calif./Hayward HS/Chabot College)
Posted two interceptions for 47 yards at Louisiana Tech...interceptions were for 8 and 39 yards and both led to scores (1 TD, 1 FG)...also had four tackles (three solos).

SPECIAL TEAMS -- Reagan Schneider
(K, 6-0, 165, SO-1L, Canyon Lake, Texas/Smithson Valley HS)
Tied his personal best with 14 points (three FG, five extra points) at Louisiana Tech...field goals were for 48, 44 and 21 yards...for the season he is a perfect 12-12 on field goal attempts, including 7 for 7 on attempts of 40 yards or more.

UTEP Game Notes Versus San Jose State