UTEP Miners

Nov. 13, 2007

Complete Notes Package in PDF Format

Miners Host Southern Miss in 2007 Home Finale

UTEP (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) will face Southern Miss (5-5, 4-3 C-USA) in the Miners' 2007 home finale on Saturday at the Sun Bowl. The game will be nationally televised on CSTV, with early kickoff slated for 5:30 p.m. MST. UTEP is 3-2 at home this season. However, the Miners have lost their last two home games, to East Carolina on Oct. 13 (45-42 in overtime) and Houston on Oct. 27 (34-31). The Miners will honor their 15-man senior class prior to Saturday's game. This year's seniors are offensive linemen Oniel Cousins and James Riley; defensive backs Quintin Demps, Matt Ellis and Tim McCullouch; linebackers Steve Douglas, Torrey Huckaby, Jeremy Jones and T.J. Monroe; wide receivers Josh Fematt and Joe West; running backs Johan Givens and Marcus Thomas; quarterback/wide receiver Lorne Sam; and tight end Jake Sears. UTEP needs to win its remaining two games -- including the regular season finale at C-USA East Division leader UCF on Nov. 24 -- to be bowl eligible. UTEP is attempting to snap a four-game losing streak, its longest under head coach Mike Price. UTEP is also shooting for a reversal of fortune in the month of November. The Miners have lost seven of their last eight games in November dating back to 2005, including last week's 34-19 setback at Tulane.

Series Notes

The series is tied 1-1. Saturday's game marks the first meeting between UTEP and Southern Miss since the 1988 Independence Bowl, a game the Golden Eagles won 38-18. UTEP beat Southern Miss, 37-14, in the 1954 Sun Bowl in El Paso.

The Last Meeting

After a close first half in which Southern Miss had a 10-7 lead, the Golden Eagles scored three third quarter touchdowns to open up a 24-point lead and roll past UTEP, 38-18, in the 13th Annual Independence Bowl on Dec. 29, 1988 in Shreveport, La. The Miners scored first on a 30-yard pass from Pat Hegarty to Reggie Barrett, and controlled the action in the first half. But after a Chris Jacke missed field goal, USM moved 80 yards for the go-ahead score, a three-yard TD pass from Brett Favre to Reginald Warnsley. Two punt returns for touchdowns by James Henry put the game out of reach. Barrett tied an Independence Bowl record for receptions with nine for 119 yards and a touchdown. Terry Walker recorded six tackles and a pair of interceptions off Favre, while Ken Sale and Doug Morgan each notched a team-high eight tackles to spark the Miner defense. Hegarty threw for 203 yards on the day. He teamed with David Flores to pass for 308 yards.

The Last Meeting in El Paso

The Miners went into the Sun Bowl as overwhelming underdogs to Southern Miss. But Texas Western stunned the 14-point favorite Golden Eagles and their fans by jumping out to a 30-0 lead in the first half of the 19th Annual Sun Bowl on Jan. 1, 1954 in El Paso. The Miners then held on for a 37-14 triumph to finish the season 8-2. TWC quarterback Dick Shinaut was named outstanding player of the game. He threw two touchdown passes and kicked four extra points to amass 19 of the Miners' 37 points. He finished the day 11 of 17 passing for 158 yards. Texas Western got on the board the second play of the game, when Clovis Riley darted 54 yards to the goal line where he was hit and fumbled. The ball was recovered in the end zone by TWC's John Howle for the Miner touchdown. The play was set up on a 48-yard kickoff return by Shinaut to open the game. In the first period Shinaut executed a screen pass formation, tossing to Jesse Whittenton for 25 yards and a touchdown. Shinaut threw a long aerial in the second quarter, hurling 44 yards to Howle for another Texas Western touchdown. Southern Miss scored a pair of touchdowns to draw within 16 points, but TWC's Riley dashed 43 yards for the final Miner score. Riley had a big day rushing, which included the 54-yard non-scoring run in the first quarter and a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He compiled 112 yards rushing on just 12 carries. The Miners overcame Southern Miss with a plan of attack on the ground and in the air. Texas Western amassed 245 rushing yards and 158 passing yards.

Last Game: Tulane 34, UTEP 19

Tulane scored the game's first 17 points and kept UTEP's ordinarily potent offense in check en route to registering a 34-19 win over the Miners on Nov. 3 at the Louisiana Superdome. The Green Wave didn't need a huge night from national rushing leader Matt Forte to hand UTEP its fourth straight loss. Forte, who entered the game averaging 182.4 yards per contest, finished with 38 carries for 171 yards. It marked Tulane's first win this season when Forte had less than 300 yards rushing. In the end, Green Wave quarterbacks Anthony Scelfo and Kevin Moore hurt the Miners as much as Forte did. Scelfo completed seven of 11 pass attempts for 167 yards, and Moore was 9-for-10 for 110 yards. The Green Wave, last in Conference USA in passing offense coming into the game, tallied 277 yards through the air. UTEP, meanwhile, had a hard time scoring, a rarity in a season where the Miners have topped 40 points a school-record tying five times. The Miners had four offensive drives that stalled inside the Tulane 30-yard line. Three ended in Jose Martinez field goals and another ended in a botched fake field goal attempt. Jeremy Williams reeled in a pair of touchdown passes -- one from Scelfo, and another from Moore -- as the Green Wave built a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Miners cut the deficit to a touchdown (17-10) at the midway point, and marched to the Tulane 16-yard line to start the second half. But on fourth down, holder Kyle Wright was sacked for a 14-yard loss while attempting to pass. The Green Wave responded to the change in momentum, moving 70 yards on 11 plays to take a 24-10 lead on a one-yard run by Forte. The key play was a 43-yard rush by Andre Anderson on fourth down off a fake punt at midfield. Tulane increased its advantage to 31-13 in the fourth quarter, and Trevor Vittatoe's 12-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Moturi with 9:16 remaining was too little, too late. Vittatoe completed 28 of 43 pass attempts for 308 yards, his second straight 300-yard performance and his fourth in five games. UTEP's Marcus Thomas bounced back from a 51-yard rushing game at Rice on Nov. 3 to run 11 times for 124 yards.

UTEP in the NCAA Stats

Through the games of Nov. 10, the Miners rated 10th nationally in turnover margin (1.00), 18th in punt returns (13.4 avg.), 23rd in scoring offense (35.3 ppg) and passing offense (272 ypg), 24th in passing efficiency (139.02) and 27th in total offense (434 ypg). Individually, sophomore DB Braxton Amy was tied for 40th in tackles per game (9.7); sophomore DB Cornelius Brown was tied for 32nd in interceptions (0.4 avg.); senior DB Quintin Demps was 15th in punt returns (13.0 avg.) and tied for 32nd in interceptions (0.4 avg.); junior K Jose Martinez was tied for 38th in field goals (1.4 avg.); freshman Kyle Petersen was 47th in punting (41.5 avg.); senior RB Marcus Thomas was sixth in scoring (10.7 ppg), 16th in rushing (117.9 ypg) and 33rd in all-purpose yardage (143.1 ypg); and freshman QB Trevor Vittatoe was 22nd in passing efficiency (140.61) and 44th in total offense (239.7 ypg).

UTEP in the C-USA Stats

Through the games of Nov. 10, UTEP led Conference USA in punt returns (13.4 avg.). The Miners were second in turnover margin (1.00), and third in passing efficiency (139.1), passing offense (272 ypg), scoring offense (35.3 ppg) and total offense (434 ypg). The Miners' Braxton Amy was sixth in tackles (9.7 avg.); Cornelius Brown was tied for first in interceptions (0.4 avg.) and tied for third in passes defended (1.3 avg.); Quintin Demps was tied for first in interceptions (0.4 avg.), tied for third in passes defended (1.3 avg.), fifth in kickoff returns (22.8 avg.), and tied for seventh in fumble recoveries (0.2 avg.); Jeremy Jones was tied for second in forced fumbles (0.3 avg.), and tied for ninth in tackles for losses (1.0 avg.); Jose Martinez was second in kicking scoring (8.1 ppg), third in field goals (1.4 avg.), seventh in scoring (8.1 ppg) and eighth in PAT kicking percentage (95.1); Chris Moore was first in fumble recoveries (0.3 avg.); Jeff Moturi was sixth in receiving yards per game (72.0) and receptions per game (4.9), and tied for ninth in scoring (7.2 ppg); Kyle Petersen was fifth in punting (41.5 avg.); Fred Rouse was third in kickoff returns (23.9 avg.); Marcus Thomas was second in scoring (10.7 ppg), fourth in rushing (117.9 ypg) and sixth in all-purpose yardage (143.1 ypg); and Trevor Vittatoe was third in passing efficiency (140.6), fourth in passing average (251.9 ypg) and sixth in total offense (239.7 ypg).

A Crazy Year

Seven C-USA league games have seen both teams score over 40 points this season, and four of those games have involved UTEP. The Miners beat SMU (48-45) and Tulsa (48-47), and lost to East Carolina (45-42) and Rice (56-48). Houston beat Rice, 56-48, on Oct. 13. East Carolina beat Memphis, 56-40, on Nov. 3. And Rice beat SMU, 43-42, on Nov. 10. UTEP has tied the school record by scoring 40 points or more five times this season -- all over the last seven games. The Miners also had five 40 point games in 1950. On the other hand, the Miners have allowed 40+ points five times in 2007 for the first time since 2003, when they did so on six occasions. UTEP is on a pace to score 424 points this season. The school record is 429 points scored in 2004. The Miners are also projected to give up 424 points, which would be the most they have surrendered in a season since 2003 (498 over a 13-game schedule). UTEP has never had a season where it has both scored and allowed over 400 points.

Not For the Weak of Heart

Five of UTEP's last six games have been decided by eight point or less. Overall seven of the Miners' 10 games have been determined by eight points or fewer. UTEP's 34-19 setback at Tulane last week was its worst loss of the season. The Miners have trailed in the fourth quarter in three of their four wins. UTEP has had a lead in the fourth quarter in four of its six losses, and the Miners were tied with Texas Tech, 31-31, heading into the final period.

Thomas Goes Over 1,000 Yards

With 124 yards rushing at Tulane last week, senior RB Marcus Thomas went over 1,000 yards for the year. He currently has 196 carries for 1,061 yards. He is the seventh Minet player to compile 1,000 yards rushing in a season, joining Robert Elliott (1977), John Harvey (1987), Howard Jackson (2003-04), Toraino Singleton (1994-95), Paul Smith (1999) and Fred Wendt (1948). His 1,061 rushing yards in 2007 mark the eighth-best seasonal total in school annals. Thomas ranks sixth in school history in rushing yardage (2,510), fourth in rushing touchdowns (24) and tied for fourth in 100-yard games (10). His 14 rushing touchdowns in 2007 are the third-top seasonal total in Miner history. Thomas has led the Miners in rushing in his last 25 games dating back to 2005. He set a school record by rushing for 100+ yards in five straight games earlier this season. He has had over 100 yards rushing in six of the last seven games.

Moturi Extends TD Catch Streak

Sophomore WR Jeff Moturi has now had a touchdown reception in nine straight games -- the longest active streak in the country -- after snaring a 12-yard scoring pass from Trevor Vittatoe in the fourth quarter last week at Tulane. It is the longest touchdown reception streak by a Miner player since Lee Mays had a 10-game TD streak in 2000. Moturi's 12 touchdown catches are a UTEP sophomore record, and tied for the third-best seasonal figure in program history. Mays is the record-holder with 15 touchdown receptions in 2000, a total which led the nation that year.

A Couple More Tidbits on Moturi

Jeff Moturi's 12 touchdown catches are tied for the third-top total among all Division I-A wide receivers. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree has 20 TD receptions, while Indiana's James Hardy has 15. North Texas' Casey Fitzgerald also has 12. Moturi has made 49 catches for 720 yards in 2007. Thirty-three of his receptions have been good for first downs.

Freshman Records are Vittatoe's

Trevor Vittatoe's 2,519 yards passing and 22 TD passes are UTEP freshman records. John Rayborn was the previous record-holder with 1,913 yards passing and 16 touchdowns in 1995. Vittatoe threw for a career-high five TDs at Rice on Nov. 3, tied for the third-top figure in Miner annals. It also tied the school record for touchdown passes by a freshman; Rayborn had five at Air Force in 1995. Vittatoe already has the ninth-best season passing yardage total in school history with a minimum of two games remaining. His TD pass count is the fifth-best seasonal total in UTEP lore. Vittatoe's 140.61 passing efficiency rating, if it stands, would be fourth in school history. Even more impressive, Vittatoe is averaging 82 pass attempts between interceptions. He is on pace to throw only five picks this season, which would be the lowest total by a UTEP quarterback with a minimum of 200 pass attempts. Rayborn had six picks in 258 attempts in 1998, and Rocky Perez had six interceptions in 338 attempts in 2000. Perez averaged 56 pass attempts between interceptions, the current school record. Vittatoe's interception in the fourth quarter at Tulane last week ended a string of 121 pass attempts without a pick.

More on Vittatoe

QB Trevor Vittatoe ranks second among all Division I-A freshmen with 2,519 yards passing behind Minnesota's Adam Weber (2,543 yards). Vittatoe's 140.61 passing efficiency rating ranks fourth among freshmen behind Oklahoma's Sam Bradford (180.4), Nevada's Colin Kaepernick (155.0) and Houston's Case Keenum (140.9).

Mr. First Down

Senior QB/WR Lorne Sam has made 42 catches for 589 yards this season. Thirty-two of those catches have produced first downs, including 17 on either third or fourth down. He has completed 12 passes for 144 yards, with eight resulting in first downs. Sam has also rushed for 20 first downs this season.

Talking Takeaways

The Miners' turnover margin of +10 (16 giveaways/26 takeaways) ranks 10th in the nation. UTEP has forced 26 turnovers, tied for the ninth-best total in the country. The Miners' 16 interceptions are tied for the 10th-top total in the nation. UTEP had seven takeaways at Rice on Nov. 3, the most turnovers the Miners have forced in a game since 1989 versus San Diego State (seven).

Price Ties Brumbelow For Most 40-Point Games Among UTEP Coaches

UTEP's 56-48 loss at Rice on Nov. 3 marked the 14th time under head coach Mike Price that the Miners have put 40 or more points on the board. Price is now tied with Mike Brumbelow (1950-56) for the most 40-point games among all-time UTEP coaches. Price also ranks first among all UTEP head coaches with twenty-nine 30-point games. UTEP is 21-8 under Price when scoring 30 points or more (3-4 this season), and 12-2 when scoring 40 points or more (3-2 in 2007).

Miners Couldn't Score at Tulane Though

UTEP scored only 19 points at Tulane last week, its lowest total since the season opener versus New Mexico. It snapped a streak of six games in a row that the Miners scored over 30 points -- the second time that they have achieved this feat under coach Mike Price. UTEP also scored 30+ points in six consecutive contests in 2004. UTEP did not score in the first quarter for just the second time this season at Tulane. The Miners were also held scoreless in the opening period at SMU on Sept. 29. UTEP had scored in 19 straight quarters in Conference USA play before getting blanked by the Green Wave in the first period. Overall UTEP has scored in 22 of 24 quarters in C-USA action.

Demps Has 16 Career Picks

Senior DB Quintin Demps is tied for second in school history with 16 interceptions, four behind the leader Charlie West who had 19 from 1965-67. Demps' career interception total ranks tied for first among active NCAA Division I-A players. Indiana's Tracy Porter also has 16 picks. Demps is third among active players with 304 interception yards behind Porter (413) and Arizona's Antoine Cason (307). The 304 interception yards are also a UTEP school record. Demps has 120 yards on interceptions in 2007, the sixth-best seasonal total in UTEP history.

Special Season For Martinez

One of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, junior college transfer Jose Martinez has been nothing short of sensational in his first year as a Miner. Martinez is 14-for-17 on field goals (including two misses from 50+ yards) and 39-for-41 on PATs. He is also a remarkable 4-for-4 on onside kicks, including 2-for-2 at Rice on Nov. 3. Martinez has been chosen the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week on two occasions this season -- first for tying the school record with five field goals against East Carolina, then for nailing a league record 57-yard field goal versus Houston. Martinez made 28 straight extra points to start the season.

Miners Getting More Pressure on the QB

The UTEP defense has had 10 sacks over the last four games, including a season-high four against Houston. The Miners had a total of four sacks in the first six games of the season. UTEP defensive linemen have been credited with a total of 4.5 sacks over the last three contests -- 1.5 by sophomore DT Steve Riddick, 1.0 by junior DT Ja-Boy Leomiti, 1.0 by freshman DT Craig Wood, 0.5 by junior DE Jason Boyce and 0.5 by junior DT James Olalekan. The line had one sack combined in the first six games of the season.

Miners Recognizing 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division

UTEP players are wearing a patch on their helmets this season in honor of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (4BCT) of the 1st Cavalry Division, headquartered in Fort Hood, Texas. The 4BCT consists of approximately 4,000 soldiers, of which nearly 3,800 are deployed to central and northern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 4BCT activation took place at Fort Bliss in October 2005. At that point the unit began individual and collective training to prepare for deployment and combat operation in the Fall of 2006. The unit will return to El Paso in full no later than mid-January 2008.

Miner Nuggets

Marcus Thomas' 59-yard touchdown in the first quarter at Tulane last week marked the longest rushing play for the Miners this season. The previous long was a 38-yard run by Thomas against Tulsa ... Thomas has scored 96 points this year. Only three players in school history have tallied 100 points in a season -- Fred Wendt (152 in 1948), Chris Jacke (123 in 1988) and John Harvey (108 in 1987). Wendt and Harvey were both running backs ... Joe West has made 85 catches for 1,376 yards with 12 TDs at UTEP. The 12 career touchdown catches tie him with teammate Jeff Moturi and Chris Francies (2002-05) for ninth place in school history ... Cornelius Brown has three interceptions in Conference USA games, tying him for the league lead with six other players ... Fred Rouse became the fourth Miner receiver to have a 100-yard game at Rice on Nov. 3, tallying five catches for 100 yards. Jeff Moturi has had three 100-yard performances, Lorne Sam had 127 yards against East Carolina and Joe West produced 101 yards at Texas Tech ... twenty-one different players have made starts for UTEP on defense this season, most recently freshman LB Isaiah Carter who made his first career start at Tulane last week ... UTEP has picked off four passes in two games this season (Texas Southern, East Carolina) for the first time since 1967, when the Miners had four interceptions versus UC-Santa Barbara and New Mexico and five at Arizona State. UTEP has 16 picks on the year and is on pace for 19, which would be its most since 1988 (22) ... UTEP has scored on 33 of 38 trips to the red zone this season, with 27 touchdowns and six field goals ... junior C Robby Felix has started every game for the Miners since his freshman year of 2005 (34 total).