For Starters
Following a week off, 23rd-ranked UTEP (6-2, 4-1 WAC) begins a
two-game homestand by facing Rice (3-6, 2-4 WAC). Each of UTEP's
remaining three games are against schools that will be a part of the
new-look Conference USA beginning in July 2005. The Miners will host
SMU on Nov. 20 before wrapping up the regular season on Nov. 27 at
Tulsa. UTEP has won five straight games, its longest streak since
capturing a school-record seven consecutive victories in 2000 en
route to a Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl appearance. The Miners have
won six of their last seven games following a 41-9 setback in the
season opener at Arizona State.
UTEP is playing a home game for the first time in nearly a
month. The Miners' last appearance in the Sun Bowl came on Oct. 16,
a 51-20 dismantling of Hawaii. UTEP is 3-1 at home, including a pair
of shutouts (32-0 over Weber State and 45-0 over New Mexico State).
The Miners have outscored their last two home opponents 96-20
following a 47-31 loss to Boise State in the Sun Bowl on Sept. 18.
UTEP has averaged 39.8 points at home while surrendering 16.8 ppg
(the Miners have outscored foes 128-20 in home wins).
The Owls lead the series with UTEP 4-3, although the Miners
hold a 2-1 edge in games played in the Sun City.
Do You Believe?
UTEP has enjoyed a renaissance year under new head coach Mike
Price. The Miners are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for
the first time in school history (UTEP has been fielding a football
program since 1914). It is the first time UTEP has been listed in
any top 25 poll since being rated as high as 22nd in the USA
Today/CNN poll following an 8-1 start in 1988. In 1988, Bob Stull
was the Miners' head coach; he is currently UTEP's director of
athletics.
UTEP is 23rd in this week's Associated Press poll and 27th in
the ESPN/USA Today poll.
With six wins, UTEP has already equaled its victory total for
the previous three seasons combined. The Miners registered two
victories in each of the last three years (2001-03). UTEP is also
bowl-eligible for the first time since 2000, when the Miners finished
8-4 and won a share of the Western Athletic Conference title. With
three WAC road wins, UTEP has tied the school record set in 1987 and
re-established in 2000.
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 4 p.m. Mountain time. The game will also be carried on
KBUY 1360 AM in Ruidoso, N.M. A Spanish radio broadcast is available
on La Consentida 1150 AM. KINT-TV weekend sports anchor Omar Ropele
offers play-by-play, while former collegiate and high school coach
Rick Bolanos provides color commentary.
On Television
There is no television for Saturday's game.
Scouting The Owls
After starting the season 2-0, Rice has lost five of its last
six games, including Saturday's 52-21 home setback at the hands of
Fresno State. The Owls are 0-5 on the road with losses to #5 Texas
(35-13), San Jose State (70-63), Nevada (35-10), Navy (14-13) and
Tulsa (39-22).
Rice's option attack has produced 311.4 rushing yards per game.
Three Owls have accumulated over 500 yards rushing this season --
senior RB Ed Bailey (726, 90.8 ypg), freshman QB Joel Armstrong (569,
81.3 ypg) and senior QB Greg Henderson (521, 65.1 ypg). Henderson
has thrown for 428 yards as Rice averages just 73.2 yards through the
air. Rice has been inconsistent from a scoring standpoint. The Owls
have topped 40 points on three occasions, but have averaged 14.8
points in their remaining six contests.
Defensively, Rice has yielded 147.2 yards rushing and 221.7
yards passing per outing.
As one might expect, Rice leads the nation in rushing yards per
game and ranks last out of 117 Division I schools in passing yards
per game. Individually, sophomore DB Andray Downs is 21st in the
country in kickoff returns (26.1 avg.).
UTEP/Rice Ties
Rice senior DB Edgar Vega is an El Paso native who attended
Cathedral High School.
Brad Hovious, Rice's Assistant Athletic Director for
Development, was Director of Athletics at UTEP from 1987-93.
Seven Miners hail from the city of Houston -- LB Godwin
Akinduro (Elsik HS), WR Chris Francies (Cypress Falls HS), OL Justin
Gissendanner (Dobie HS), RB Brandon Jackson (Booker T. Washington
HS), DL Alex Obomese (Westbury HS), DL Aaron Osborn (Aldine Nimitz
HS) and DL Joe Ward (Madison HS). OL Tim Ford is from Tomball, Texas
(Tomball HS) near Houston.
Nate Poss, UTEP's Assistant Athletic Director for Football
Operations, graduated from Rice in 1978 and played for the Owls for
four years (1973-76).
Last Meeting
Rice took advantage of three turnovers and 13 UTEP penalties en
route to a 45-14 victory over the Miners on Nov. 22, 2003 in
Houston.
The Owls ran rampant on the UTEP defense, piling up 450 yards
and six touchdowns on the ground. Rice finished with 498 yards of
total offense. The Owls led 31-0 at the half and scored the game's
first 38 points.
Matt Austin dashed Rice's hopes for its first shutout of the
season on a seven-yard run with 12:45 remaining in the fourth
quarter.
Orlando Cruz added a 20-yard rushing TD for the Miners with
3:46 left in the fourth quarter, completing a 12-play, 98-yard drive.
The drive was the longest of the season for UTEP.
Robbie Beck rushed for 102 yards and Thomas Lott picked up 87
more for the Owls.
UTEP's Jordan Palmer made his sixth start of the season at
quarterback, but was relieved by Cruz early after suffering a back
injury. Palmer finished the day one of three passing for zero yards.
Cruz threw for 174 yards on 11 of 21 pass attempts.
Last Game
Jordan Palmer completed 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and two
touchdowns, while Howard Jackson rushed for 89 yards in UTEP's 38-20
win at San Jose State on Oct. 30.
The Miners caused five turnovers -- leading to 17 points -- and
compiled 372 yards of offense.
UTEP, which won its fifth straight game, scored the contest's
first 14 points. Josh Chamois reached the end zone on a one-yard run
with 13:24 remaining in the first quarter, and Palmer hit Jayson Boyd
for a 23-yard touchdown with 6:19 left in the period.
San Jose State drew to within 14-7 on a nine-yard run by Tyson
Thompson with 4:43 to go in the first quarter.
The Miners led 14-7 at the break despite giving up 205 yards of
offense to the Spartans, including 122 rushing. San Jose State lost
two fumbles in the opening half, including one at the Miner one-yard
line.
UTEP limited the Spartans to 100 yards of offense after the
break, including seven yards in the third quarter.
Palmer completed his first eight pass attempts before being
picked off by Brian Nunez in the final seconds of the half.
The Miners converted a pair of turnovers &endash; interceptions
by Thomas Howard and Phillip Moss &endash; into 10 third-quarter
points.
Following the Howard pick, UTEP moved 60 yards on seven plays,
capped off by Palmer's nine-yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. for
a score.
The Miners capitalized on Moss' interception with Reagan
Schneider's 20-yard field goal.
Strange Day
UTEP beat San Jose State 38-20 on Oct. 30 despite having severe
disadvantages in first downs (24-14) and time of possession (35:31 to
24:29). It marked the third time this season that the opportunistic
Miners have won despite trailing their opponent in first downs (the
Fresno State and Louisiana Tech games were the other occasions).
UTEP is 2-2 this season when the opposition has an advantage in
possession time, including wins over Fresno State and San Jose State
and losses to Arizona State and Boise State. San Jose State's 35:31
of possession time was the most by a Miner foe in 2004.
The last time UTEP won a game when having 10 fewer first downs
than the opponent was on Oct. 1, 1988, a 38-28 victory over Utah in
the Sun Bowl. The Miners amassed 22 first downs to the Utes' 39 on
that day. UTEP won five games in 1988 when having fewer first downs
than the team on the other sideline.
National Rankings
UTEP ranks seventh in the nation in passing efficiency defense
(98.72 rating), 10th in turnover margin (1.00), 12th in net punting
(39.6 avg.), 15th in scoring offense (34.3 ppg) and kickoff returns
(23.8 avg.), 17th in punt returns (13.8 avg.), 36th in passing
efficiency (134.1 rating), 39th in scoring defense (22 ppg), 44th in
rushing defense (131.5 ypg), 46th in passing offense (227.8 ypg) and
47th in total defense (349.6 ypg).
Individually Bryce Benekos is eighth in the country in punting
(44.7 avg.), Howard Jackson is 10th in all-purpose yards (168.5 avg.)
and 19th in rushing (104.4 ypg), Reagan Schneider is 11th in field
goals (1.6 avg.) and 17th in scoring (8.8 ppg), Jahmal Fenner is 12th
in interceptions (0.5 avg.) and punt returns (16.0 avg.), Adrian Ward
is 37th in interceptions (0.4 avg.) and Jordan Palmer is 43rd in
passing efficiency (130.5 rating).
Perfect In October
By defeating San Jose State 38-20 on Oct. 30, UTEP completed an
undefeated run in the month of October for the first time since 2000.
The Miners were 5-0 in October with victories over New Mexico State
(45-0), Fresno State (24-21), Hawaii (51-20), Louisiana Tech (44-27)
and San Jose State.
UTEP was downright dominant in October, outscoring opponents by
a combined tally of 202-88. The Miners averaged 40.4 points in
October while allowing an average of 17.6 points (+22.8 scoring
margin).
The Miners have registered three straight wins by 15+ points
for the first time since 1988, when they posted successive lopsided
victories over Hawaii (42-25), Colorado State (34-14), New Mexico
(37-0) and New Mexico State (42-9).
UTEP tied the school record for wins in the month of October
(5), achieved previously 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), 1967 (2-0-1) and 2000
(3-0).
Reconstruction Ahead Of Schedule
When Mike Price took over the reins of the UTEP football team
on Dec. 21, 2003, few doubted that he would be able to turn around a
struggling program. What has come as a surprise to many is how
quickly Price has transformed the Miners from pretenders to
contenders. With three games remaining on the schedule, UTEP has
already:
•Duplicated its win total (6) from the previous three
seasons combined
•Clinched only its fourth winning season since 1971 (1987,
1988 and 2000 were the others)
•Recorded a five-game winning streak for only the 11th
time in school history (1930, 1932, 1937, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1956,
1957, 1988, 2000)
•Become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2000, and
for only the fourth time in 18 years
•Tied the school record for WAC road wins (3)
•Clinched a .500 or better record in WAC play for only the
sixth time in 37 seasons. UTEP's next victory will secure a winning
WAC mark for only the fifth time in school annals.
•Earned a Top 25 ranking by the Associated Press for the
first time in school history. The Miners are listed in a national
top 25 poll for the first time since 1988, when UTEP was rated as
high as 22nd in the country by USA Today/CNN.
• Earned a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranking for the
first time in school annals. UTEP was 24th in last week's BCS
standings (new rankings are released on Monday).
In The Polls
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 8-0 and 14th in the Associated Press
Top 25 poll. Arizona State (7-2) 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 15-2.
Rolling Strikes
UTEP has defeated two teams which went bowling in 2003.
Fresno State and Hawaii capped off the 2003 season by appearing
in the Silicon Valley Bowl and Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, respectively.
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 eight 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 five straight
games. In 2000, the Miners rattled off a school-record seven
consecutive victories.
The two teams have several similarities through eight games.
See the accompanying box comparing the two teams.
Win Streak
UTEP has won five consecutive games, which is tied for the
10th-longest current streak in the country. Boise State has the
longest active winning streak at 19 games, followed by USC at 18.
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 third in the country among active players with 5,709
career all-purpose yards behind Kansas State's Darren Sproles (6,463)
and Texas' Cedric Benson (5,734). Jackson and Sproles have both
played in 43 games, but Sproles has totaled 909 plays to Jackson's
728. Jackson has averaged 7.8 yards per play, Sproles 7.1 and Benson
5.2.
Jackson ranks 11th among active players with 3,114 rushing
yards. He is also third with 1,890 kickoff return yards behind
Louisville's Broderick Clark (2,006) and Boston College's Will
Blackmon (1,959).
Interceptions Have Become Common
The Miners are tied for fourth in the nation with 15
interceptions this season. Only Troy (19), Boise State (16) and
Kansas (16) have registered more picks in 2004.
Senior Jahmal Fenner is tops on the squad with four picks. He
is tied for 17th among active players in the country with nine during
his career. Fenner is also seventh among active players with 833
punt return yards.
Nine UTEP players have recorded an interception this season,
including senior Adrian Ward who has three. A junior college
transfer, Ward has totaled six picks in only 21 career games.
Miners Will Take It Away
UTEP has forced a turnover in each of its last 27 games. Over
the last three games, the Miners have rattled opponents into turning
the ball over 13 times. During that span UTEP has had a turnover
margin of +6 (seven giveaways/13 takeaways).
UTEP's turnover margin for the season is now +8 (17
giveaways/25 takeaways). Last year the Miners' turnover margin was
-15 (40 giveaways/25 takeaways). In other words, UTEP has collected
the same number of takeaways (25) in eight games as it did in 13
contests a year ago.
The Miners have also had an interception in their last 11 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 recorded two interceptions or more in its last six
outings. The Miners also had six games in a row with two or more
interceptions in 1966 and 1988.
The Miners are tied for third in the nation with their 25
takeaways.
Nearly Automatic When Seeing Red
The Miners have scored 29 times in 32 trips to the red zone
this season. UTEP has totaled 23 touchdowns and six field goals.
Over the last four games, UTEP is 17 for 17 in the red zone
with 14 touchdowns and three 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 had his coming out party on Nov. 17, 2001 at Rice.
After being pulled out of redshirt four games into the season, he
scored the first touchdown of his career versus the Owls (in his
sixth career game). Jackson finished with nine carries for 96 yards
(10.7 avg.) on that night, and collected his first career 100-yard
performance a week later versus Nevada (20 carries-103 yards).
Jackson, who put up a personal best 175 yards rushing against
Rice in 2002, has had 47 carries for 351 yards (117 avg./7.5 ypc)
lifetime versus the Owls.
Blitzkrieg Offense Continues
The Miners have had a quick strike offense this season. UTEP
has scored on its first offensive drive five times (Weber State,
Boise State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State). In seven out
of eight 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 6-1 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 25 sacks through eight 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. Both have five sacks this season and are 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 this year that 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).
Palmer has completed 131 of 225 passes for 1,648 yards and 14
touchdowns this season. His passing efficiency rating for the season
is 130.5.
Palmer is 61 for 95 (64 percent) for 794 yards and 11
touchdowns over his last three games. After throwing four
interceptions in the season opener at Arizona State, Palmer has had
14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in the last seven contests.
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.
Mr. Touchdown
Sophomore Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. has caught a touchdown pass
in each of the last six contests, the most consecutive games with a
TD reception for a Miner since Lee Mays caught touchdown balls 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 fifth on the team with 19 receptions, and leads the
squad with 412 receiving yards and six scores. His 21.7 yards per
catch average is best on the squad. Fifteen out of his 19 receptions
have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown this season.
No-Throw Zone
UTEP has limited its opponents to under 10 pass completions in
three 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 is second in the WAC and seventh in the nation with a
passing efficiency defense rating of 98.7. UTEP hasn't registered a
passing efficiency defense rating below 100 since 1987 (97.8). Since
1950, the school record for passing efficiency defense is 58.7, set
in 1963. This year's mark ranks 15th in the school record books. If
the Miners finish the year with a passing efficiency defense rating
below 100, it will mark only the second time since 1972 that this has
happened in the Sun City.
You Can Put It On The Board . . .
The Miners are averaging 34.2 points per game, which ranks 15th
in the NCAA and second 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's three 40-point games this season 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. Over the last three games,
the Miners have averaged 44.3 points.
Rushing Defense Significantly Improved
UTEP is second in the WAC and 44th in the country in rushing
defense, allowing 131.5 yards per game. This is a far cry from the
2003 unit which yielded 190.8 yards per outing on the ground.
UTEP limited Hawaii to 77 yards rushing on Oct. 16. It marked
the second time this season that the Miners have held opponents to
under 100 yards rushing. UTEP limited Weber State to 34 yards on the
ground on Sept. 11. Since 1965, UTEP has now limited its opponent to
under 100 yards rushing in 25 games.
San Jose State rushed for 122 yards in the first half on Oct.
30 led by Tyson Thompson, who totaled 84 yards on 22 carries. The
Miners adjusted in the second half, holding the Spartans to 10 yards
on 19 carries. Thompson had five attempts for zero yards following
the intermission.
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 135-124 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 24 tackles --
including three sacks -- as well as broken up four passes, forced two
fumbles and applied one QB hurry.
Fenner ranks third in the WAC and 12th in the country with 0.5
interceptions per game. He is second in the league and 12th in the
country, 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.
Rodriguez Continues To Lead In Tackles
Senior LB Robert Rodriguez has amassed a whopping 392 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 70 tackles, including nine
tackles for losses, a sack and an interception. He is third in the
WAC in tackles with 8.8 per game; Hawaii DB Leonard Peters is the
leader with 9.6 stops per contest.
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 22 career games, including four times this
season.
With 392 tackles, Rodriguez ranks seventh on the UTEP career
list. Next on the list is Hal Barnett (1974-76), who posted 407
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. Rodriguez
currently has two more tackles than his closest pursuer, senior LB
Godwin Akinduro (68).
Benekos Ranks Eighth Nationally
Senior P Bryce Benekos ranks eighth in the NCAA with a punting
average of 44.7 yards this year. He rates second in school history
in punts (239) and punting yards (9,839). 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 44.7 this season. His 44.7 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 eighth 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 Rice.
The slight (5-9, 160) but speedy (4.26 time in the 40) Jackson ranks
second in career rushing yardage (3,114), fourth in rushing attempts
(590) 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 462 yards away from tying school record-holder
John Harvey (1985-86-87-88). Jackson would need to average 154 yards
per game over the last three contests to catch Harvey.
Jackson will also move into third place for carries with 13
more attempts, tying Paul Smith (1996-97-98-99).
Jackson has already smashed UTEP's career all-purpose yardage
record. He has 5,709 all-purpose yards -- tops in school history --
and has averaged 132.8 all-purpose yards per contest, which is second
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 second on the Miner charts in kickoff return
yardage (1,890) and third in kickoff returns (77).
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 has etched his name into the NCAA's all-time
all-purpose yardage list. Jackson currently has 5,709 total yards,
putting him 32nd on the list behind Houston's Chuck Weatherspoon
(1987-88-89-90, 5,715 yards) and ahead of Pacific's Ryan Benjamin
(1990-91-92, 5,706 yards). 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 70 stops, while Akinduro has posted 68 over eight
games. Rodriguez is also tied for the team lead with nine tackles
for losses. He has one sack, four QB hurries, four forced fumbles,
three pass breakups and an interception (18 yards at Fresno State).
Akinduro has three 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 33 tackles. Howard, a big playmaker, has nine TFLs,
five sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles
and a fumble recovery 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 12th 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.
Run For Perfection Ends
Sophomore Reagan Schneider missed a 47-yard field goal attempt
(wide right) at San Jose State on Oct. 30, ending his string of
consecutive makes to start the season at 12.
He rebounded to nail a 20-yarder later in the game, making him
13 for 14 on field goal attempts this season. Schneider has scored
70 points, with 13 field goals and 31 PATs. He is 31-for-32 (96.9
percent) in PAT tries. His long field goal was good for 52 yards
versus Weber State.
His 13 field goals are already tied for fifth-best in the
school's single-season records, and his 70 points rank third. If the
season ended today, his field goal percentage would rate best in
school history.
He is 7-for-8 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 11th in the NCAA with 1.6 field goals
made per game, and 17th with 8.8 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 96
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 47th nationally in total defense (349.6 ypg),
including seventh in passing efficiency defense (98.7) and 44th in
rushing defense (131.5 ypg).
UTEP is second in the WAC and 39th in the country in scoring
defense (22 ppg). Last year the Miners surrendered 38.3 points per
game, and have shaved an average of 16.3 points per game off that
figure in 2004.
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 are tied for 27th nationally with the fewest
penalties per game (5.8 ppg) and 42nd in fewest penalty yards per
game (49.1).
UTEP has committed two penalties twice this year (Boise State,
New Mexico State). However, the Miners had season-highs for
penalties (eight) and penalty yards (78) the last time out at San
Jose State.
The 2003 UTEP squad was the most penalized team in school
history, finishing the year with 109 penalties for 864 yards.
Through eight games in 2004, UTEP has committed 46 mistakes for 393
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 436 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 17 giveaways and 25 takeaways this season. Their turnover
margin of 1.0 ranks 10th 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 eight games last year, UTEP had given up 12 fumbles.
The Miners have had 11 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 32
times for 132 yards, and caught three passes for seven yards. Thomas
had career highs for rushes (nine) against New Mexico State, and
rushing yards (37) at San Jose 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 18 and 26 career games,
respectively. Senior RG Ben Graniello has started on 13 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 eight games this season.
Also seeing action in the offensive line this season have been
Anthony Casey (five games), Alex DiMatteo (six games), Luis Espinosa
(eight games), Tim Ford (two games), Dustin Gersch (two games), James
Riley (eight games), Clay Salima (five games), Andy Smith (five
games), Jordan Tubig (two games) and Mark Parrish (one game).
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. Last week ESPN's College
Gameday crew visited El Paso to produce a feature on the Miners.
Also in town last week were writers from USA Today, ESPN.com and The
Dallas Morning News.
Since the beginning of August, television crews from Fox Sports
Net Southwest and College Sports Television (CSTV) have made visits
to Miner practices, as well as ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Also in
attendance have been writers from the Associated Press Dallas bureau,
Albuquerque Journal, Arizona Republic, Denver Post and ESPN The
Magazine.
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
UTEP has had a WAC Player of the Week in six of eight games this
season. With six WAC Player of the Week honorees in 2004, the Miners
are one shy of tying the school record of seven, set in 2000...UTEP's
92-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter at San Jose State tied
the second-longest for the Miners this season. UTEP had a 98-yard
drive and a 92-yard drive against Weber State earlier this year...San
Jose State ran 24 more plays than UTEP on Oct. 30, but finished with
67 fewer yards...P Bryce Benekos completed a 10-yard pass at San Jose
State. Benekos also attempted a pass against Boise State in 2002
which was intercepted. Benekos is the third non-quarterback to throw
a pass for UTEP in 2004...the Miners are 6-0 when leading at the half
and when leading entering the fourth quarter...Jonas Crafts has
caught a TD pass in three out of the last five games. Crafts did not
have a TD reception in the first 28 games of his career. Over the
last three games, he has registered nine catches for 136 yards. In
the first five contests, he totaled seven receptions for 64
yards...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...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...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...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 17 for 22 in red zone opportunities, with
14 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 three rushing TDs on six 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 46 yards
receiving at San Jose State, his best total as a Miner...Hawaii and
UTEP combined to throw 110 passes.
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