Oct. 20, 2014
UTEP Game Notes
UTEP Travels to San Antonio to Take on UTSA UTEP (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA) and UTSA (2-5, 1-2 C-USA) will meet on Saturday in the Alamodome. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT. This will mark the second meeting between the two programs, as the Roadrunners defeated the Miners, 32-13, last season in the Sun Bowl. UTEP is looking for its second consecutive league win. The Miners last won consecutive conference games during the 2010 season when they defeated Memphis and Rice. UTEP is also searching for its first conference road victory since winning at Southern Miss (34-33) during the 2012 campaign. The Miners, who knocked off Old Dominion in the Sun Bowl on Oct. 11 (42-35), haven't posted two wins in a row in three years.
The Series UTSA leads the series 1-0. The Roadrunners defeated the Miners, 32-13, in the Sun Bowl on Sept. 21, 2013. The triumph marked UTSA's first-ever Conference USA win. UTSA is in its fourth year with a football program and third year as an FBS member.
The Last Meeting Eric Soza completed 18-of-24 passes for 204 yards as UTSA won its first-ever Conference USA game, 32-13, over UTEP on Sept. 21, 2103 in the Sun Bowl. The Roadrunners had a big first half with 25 points and 303 yards of offense, and that held up as the Miners struggled to move the ball for most of the night. UTEP finished with season lows for yards (218) and first downs (14). The UTEP defense rallied to allow only 82 yards in the second half, but the Miners could only muster a 24-yard field goal by
Jay Mattox with 39 seconds left in the third quarter that cut the lead to 25-13. The Miners' best scoring chance in the fourth quarter went by the wayside when a
Jameill Showers run on fourth down came up a yard short of a first down at the Roadrunner 23-yard line. UTSA put the game away with a 10-play, 77-yard scoring drive, capped by a 17-yard touchdown run by David Glasco. Showers completed 17-of-31 passes for 119 yards. UTEP wasn't able to get the ground game going either, settling for 99 yards on 29 attempts. UTSA marched 75 yards on seven plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 29-yard run by Brandon Armstrong at the start of the game. The Miners'
Autrey Golden knotted the score on a 100-yard kickoff return, but that turned out to be UTEP's last touchdown of the game.
Connections UTEP LB
Anthony Puente (Marshall HS) hails from San Antonio. UTEP DL
Roy Robertson-Harris and UTSA LB Tank O'Neal both attended South Grand Prairie (Texas) High School. UTEP DB
Robert Spencer, UTSA DB Darrien Starling, UTSA DB Triston Wade and UTSA DB Duke Wheeler all went to John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. UTEP DL
Silas Firstley and UTSA DB Nate Gaines both attended Poteet (Mesquite, Texas) High School. UTEP newcomer FB
Patrick Trinidad hails from San Antonio, Texas where he played at Antonian College Prep.UTEP Tight Ends Coach
Brian Natkin is from San Antonio and played his prep ball at Churchill High School. UTSA Offensive Line Coach Jim Marshall was the offensive coordinator at UTEP under current UTEP Athletic Director
Bob Stull during the 1986 season, which was UTEP head coach
Sean Kugler's sophomore season. UTSA Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator Kevin Brown was a wide receiver at TCU (1998-02) where he faced UTEP during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. UTSA Running Backs Coach Polo Gutierrez was a defensive/offensive lineman at rival NM State (2005-08). Gutierrez played on the Aggie squad that last defeated UTEP, 34-33, in 2008. UTEP Wide Receivers Coach
Todd Whitten was the head coach at Sam Houston State (2005-09); UTSA special teams coordinator/safeties coach Perry Eliano was an assistant under Whitten during the 2005 season. Eliano is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin ('00), as well as UTEP coaches Whitten ('87),
Spencer Leftwich ('88) and Logan Barrett ('13). UTSA Graduate Assistant Coach Jeremiah Moeller played in last year's contest, starting at tight end and making two grabs for 14 yards.
About UTSA The Roadrunners suffered a loss at LA Tech, 27-20, on Oct. 18. UTSA got on the board first with a 23-yard Sean Ianno field goal in the first quarter. After the Bulldogs tied the contest with a field goal of their own, Austin Robinson gave the Roadrunners the lead again on a 53-yard scamper to the end zone late in the first half. UTSA took a 10-6 lead into the half, but LA Tech scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. UTSA got within seven points early in the fourth quarter when Kam Jones found Kenny Harrison for a 35-yard touchdown reception. UTSA got the ball back late in the game and got to the LA Tech 33-yard line, but a sack, short rush, an incomplete pass and short pass on fourth down ended the ball game. Jarveon Williams led the squad with 73 yards rushing on 10 carries (7.3 avg.). Robinson threw for 138 yards on 18-of-29 passing, with two interceptions. Triston Wade led the defense with eight tackles and an interception. UTSA is currently ranked 12th in Conference USA in points per game (20.7 ppg), while its scoring defense is ranked third (25.4 ppg). The Roadrunners rank 12th in the league in total offense (316.1 ypg), and their defense is ranked third (350.7 ypg). Wade ranks seventh in C-USA in tackles per game (7.1). Wade has 50 stops (29 solo) on the season. Wade ranks fifth in passes defended per game (1.29), while ranking fourth in interceptions (0.43 per contest).
Last Game: UTEP 42, Old Dominion 35 UTEP reinstated its rushing attack, piling up 313 yards on the ground to race past Old Dominion, 42-35, on Homecoming in the Sun Bowl on Oct. 11. After being held to a combined 140 yards rushing in their previous two games, the Miners mowed down the Monarchs as three backs (
Aaron Jones,
Josh Bell,
Nathan Jeffery) compiled 70 yards or more. Bell had a career day with 76 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries. Jones went over the century mark for the fourth time in six outings with 18 rushes for 103 yards. Jeffery chipped in with 70 yards on 13 attempts.
Autrey Golden, meanwhile, beat ODU multiple ways with two rushes for 51 yards and six receptions for a career-best 70 yards, while adding two kickoff returns for 48 yards. The Miners never trailed after taking a 21-7 lead at the break, but had to snuff out a second half rally by the Monarchs. Down 28-14, Old Dominion battled back to tie the game before UTEP scored a couple of late touchdowns. The Miners opened the game-winning drive at their own nine-yard line with 13:32 remaining. They were 4-for-4 in third down conversions during the drive, including a third-and-goal at the Monarch 10 when
Jameill Showers threw a crossing pass to Golden for a TD. The key play of the drive was a Showers scramble for 14 yards on third and 10 at the UTEP nine-yard line. On the next series, Old Dominion running back Ray Lawry was stuffed for no gain on fourth and one at his own 34-yard line. UTEP took possession and took advantage of the short field. On second and eight, Showers found Golden for a 32-yard score and a 42-28 lead. ODU acted swiftly to cut into the lead, moving 75 yards in under a minute to pull within seven points (42-35) on a 38-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke to Marques Little. With only 1:10 remaining, UTEP was able to run out the clock. Heinicke completed 13-of-25 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns for Old Dominion. Lawry rushed for 117 yards on 13 carries. Showers completed 17-of-26 passes for 152 yards for UTEP. The teams combined for 843 yards. The Miners' 486 yards were a season high and their third-most under coach
Sean Kugler. It was the most yards by UTEP in a conference game since Oct. 27, 2012 at Houston (494). The UTEP defense recorded three sacks, one more than it had in the first five games combined.
Triple Threat Autrey Golden, who has been stellar on kickoff returns during his career, saw an increased role with the offense the last time out against Old Dominion. Golden produced career highs in receptions (six), yards receiving (70), and touchdown receptions (two). Golden's receiving yards led the Miners, while his 10-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter was his first in a UTEP uniform. The second score was a 32-yard bolt to paydirt on a screen pass with just over two minutes left in the ball game. Golden also contributed to the rushing attack, carrying two times for 51 yards (25.5 average). He posted a career-long 37-yard scamper in the first quarter that set up a
Josh Bell touchdown. Golden turned out a team-best 169 all-purpose yards against the Monarchs that included 48 yards on two kickoff returns.
Golden Returner
In his third season,
Autrey Golden has staked his claim as one of the best kickoff returners in UTEP history. He ranked 11th nationally in average in 2012 (28.3) 10th in 2013 (27.6), and is 51st this season (22.9). Golden was second in Conference USA in kickoff return average as a freshman, first as a sophomore and is fourth in 2014. He enters the UTSA game ranked fourth in school history in kickoff returns (75), second in kickoff return yards (2,008) and first in kickoff return touchdowns (four). His career average (26.8) rates second in the record book behind
Vernon Frazier's 29.4 from 2008-11. Golden is tied for first among active FBS players in kickoff returns for TDs with Kansas State's Tyler Lockett and Northern Illinois' Tommylee Lewis (both are seniors). Golden rates third among FBS returnees in kickoff return yards per game (69.2), 17th in average and tied for eighth in kickoff return yards.
Ring That Bell Josh Bell churned out a career night against Old Dominion. Bell rushed for personal bests in yards (76) and touchdowns (three). His previous high was two rushing scores against NM State and 47 yards rushing against Tulane during the 2012 campaign. Bell now has six career rushing touchdowns. His third touchdown came in the third quarter off a career-long 37-yard dart to the end zone. Bell's 108 all-purpose yards (76 rushing, 32 receiving) against the Monarchs was also a career best. Bell is a former walk-on student athlete, who joined the program in 2010.
Contributing to the Rush Party Nathan Jeffery was a major player in the rushing efforts against Old Dominion with a 70-yard performance, including his first touchdown of 2014. Jeffery scored on a one-yard rush in the second quarter. Jeffery is ranked second on the team in rushing yards (295) and rushing attempts (61). Jeffery has hit 70+ yards three times during the season (84 vs. New Mexico, 79 vs. NM State & 70 vs. Old Dominion). Jeffery led the Miners in rushing yards (897) and rushing scores (seven) in 2012, and led the team in rushing touchdowns (five) in 2013.
Running Hard The Miners tallied 300+ yards on the ground for the third time this season against Old Dominon. UTEP posted one 300+ yard game last season, a 327-yard output against FIU. Under the direction of head coach
Sean Kugler, the Miners have posted four 300+ yard performances in 18 games after producing four combined from 2004-2012. The Miners are ranked second in Conference USA in rushing yards per game (232.5), while nationally the rushing attack is ranked no. 20 amongst FBS schools.
More about the Rushing Attack UTEP averages 232.5 yards rushing per game after averaging 184.7 last season. If the Miners keep this pace, the average would rank seventh-best in program history. This is the best rushing average since 1956, where UTEP averaged 270 yards per game. UTEP's 45.7 rushing attempts per game is ranked third in conference, while its 5.1 yards per carry is second. If UTEP keeps its pace of 5.1 yards per carry, it would rank fourth best in program history.
Rushing to Paydirt After scoring four rushing touchdowns against Old Dominion, the Miners have totaled 15 thus far, ranking fourth in Conference USA. Last season, UTEP runners reached the end zone 17 times. The Miners are on pace for 30 touchdowns, which would rank fifth-best in program history. The 1948 squad holds the program record with 47 rushing touchdowns.
More than Running Backs UTEP running backs have been an instrumental element to the passing game. More than half of
Jameill Showers' completions (42-of-83) have gone to running backs.
Aaron Jones leads the Miners in receptions (17) in 2014, while
Autrey Golden ranks third (13 rec.). Golden led the Miners in receptions (four) and yards (35) against NM State. Against Old Dominion, Golden led the team in yards (70) and touchdowns catches (two), while tying for the team lead in catches (six). Jones paced the Miners with 49 yards in the air at LA Tech.
Josh Bell and Jones tied for second on the team in receptions (four) at no. 25 Kansas State.
Jones in the National Spotlight El Paso native
Aaron Jones rates 12th amongst all FBS players with 127.0 rushing yards per game through the first six contests. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon is first with 174.3 yards per game. Jones is 17th in rushing yards (762), while Indiana's Tevin Coleman (1,192) leads the nation. Jones is tied for 51st in the FBS in scoring (8.0 ppg) and 22nd in all-purpose yards (143.2 avg.).
Where Jones Ranks in Conference Aaron Jones sits at no. 2 in Conference USA in rushing yards (762), rushing yards per game (127.0), and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (seven). Jones is tied for fifth in the league in points per game (8.0).
Jones' Opener Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 237 yards - tied for the fifth-most in a game in school history - and three touchdowns, also a personal best, in the season opener at New Mexico on Aug. 30. The 237 rushing yards were the most by a UTEP player in an opener and the most in a game since
Joe Banyard compiled 240 versus Houston on Sept. 29, 2011. Jones has the 10th-most rushing yards by an FBS player in a single game this season. He is the first sophomore in school history to run for 200 yards in a game.
Hitting the Century Mark Aaron Jones hit 100+ yards rushing for the seventh time in his career in a 103-yard performance against Old Dominion. Jones ranks tied for 10th in program history in 100-yard games.
Fred Wendt (1942, 46-48) posted eight 100-yard games, while Donald Buckram (2006-10), Robert Elliott (1974-77) and
Pug Gabrel (1947-50) notched nine.
John Harvey (1985-88) leads the all-time list with sixteen 100-yard games. Jones is also one of 27 FBS rushers to average 100+ yards per game.
Nose for the Ball LaQuintus Dowell is tied for third in Conference USA with two fumble recoveries and is tied for 10th nationally. Dowell made the move to the defensive side of the ball after playing running back his first two years with the Miners. Wake Forest's Tylor Harris leads the nation with four fumble recoveries, while FIU's Davison Colimon and Richard Leonard pace the conference with three each.
Pass Rush Comes Alive After posting two sacks combined in the first five games, the Miners sacked Old Dominion QB Taylor Heinicke three times - all in the first quarter.
Cooper Brock and
Alvin Jones each recorded their first collegiate sacks, while
Anthony Puente notched half a sack, the first of his UTEP career, with
Roy Robertson-Harris on the other side of that sack. Though the sack total is low for the defense, pressure is being put on as the Miners have tallied 17 quarterback hurries this season, up from 12 in 2013.
Playing Takeaway After posting three interceptions all of last season, the Miners have one upped that total in 2014. DB
Adrian James picked off a pass during the opener at New Mexico, helping to seal UTEP's first victory of 2014. DBs
Wesley Miller and
Damian Payne each recorded an interception versus NM State. Junior DB
Da'Carlos Renfro picked off his first career pass against LA Tech. Miller made a leaping interception in the end zone after NM State cruised to the UTEP 23-yard line in the second quarter. Miller's play led to an offensive touchdown and a 21-10 lead before the half. Payne's pickoff happened late in the game, as he recorded his first collegiate INT.
Takeaways/Giveaways
UTEP currently has a +3 turnover margin, ranking tied for third in Conference USA. The Miners, for the most part, have been taking care of the football with only six turnovers. UTEP had a setback at LA Tech where it turned the ball over five times. UTEP is currently tied for ninth nationally in turnovers lost, and ranks tied for first in the conference with Rice.
Tomlinson on John Mackey Watch List Eric Tomlinson remains a candidate for The John Mackey Award that is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. Tomlinson's stats are not glaring (11 rec, 80 yards, one TD), as he's been used mostly as a blocking tight end. The Miners' rushing offense is averaging 232.5 yards per game, which ranks second in Conference USA. Tomlinson was named to the John Mackey Preseason Watch List, along with earning spots on the 2014 C-USA Preseason team, the 2014 All-C-USA team by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele's Preseason All-C-USA team.
Different Heroes on "D" UTEP defensive coordinator
Scott Stoker has seen multiple Miners lead his defense in tackles through the first six games in 2014. LB
Anthony Puente was UTEP's defensive star with a career-high 11 tackles in the opener at New Mexico, DB
Jameel Erving stepped up to post a team-leading eight stops (one shy of his career high), including a forced fumble and a pass break-up in week two versus Texas Tech, DE
Nick Usher recorded a career-best nine tackles, including two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry versus NM State on Sept. 13, DB
Wesley Miller led the team with eight stops at no. 25 Kansas State, DB
Dashone Smith tallied 10 tackles at LA Tech, and while against Old Dominion, four Miners (Miller, LB
Cooper Brock, Puente & Smith) tied for the team lead in tackles (six each). For the season, Miller leads UTEP with 35 tackles, followed by Puente (32), LB
Alvin Jones (28), Smith (26), Erving (24) and DB
Devin Cockrell (21).
Ruggles Stands Out Mike Ruggles has been a bright spot for the special teams unit, which has struggled this season. He leads Conference USA and is sixth nationally in punting average (46.7). Ruggles' top performance came at LA Tech where he punted six times for a career-best 47.7-yard average. That's the top figure by a UTEP punter (minimum three attempts) since
Ian Campbell boomed six punts for 303 yards (50.5 avg.) at Tulsa on Oct. 11, 2012.
Third-Down Conversions UTEP picked up 10-of-16 third downs against Old Dominion. It equals the most third-down conversions in the
Sean Kugler era. Last season, the Miners converted 10-of-17 at NM State and 10-of-19 at Colorado State. The Miners have converted 44.8 percent of third downs, ranking 32nd nationally and fourth in conference.
Time Bandits UTEP's 41:26 of possession time against Old Dominion was the second-most for the Miners ever and the fourth time with better than 40 minutes in school history (41:53 at NM State in 2013, 41:25 vs. Valdosta State in 1995 and 41:03 at BYU in 1984). The Miners are ranked second in the country in time of possession (35:51) and first in Conference USA.
License to Drive UTEP put together two separate 16-play touchdown drives which each consumed more than nine minutes against Old Dominion. The first was a 75-yard drive (9:41) that resulted in a one-yard
Nathan Jeffery TD. The second was a 91-yard (9:48) push that produced a 10-yard
Autrey Golden TD reception from
Jameill Showers. They were the longest drives in terms of time since a 21-play, 90-yard FG drive, which took up 11:46 against SMU on Sept. 9, 2000.
Rebounding After a Big Loss After losing 55-3 at LA Tech, the Miners rebounded to beat Old Dominion 42-35 the next weekend. UTEP recovered from a loss of at least 50 points to win the next game (within the same season) for the first time since 2009 (L, 64-7 at Texas, 9/26/09; W, 58-41 vs. Houston, 10/3/09) and the sixth occasion in school history. UTEP also previously achieved the feat in 1997 (L, 56-3 at Utah, 9/20/97; W, 24-16 vs. NM State, 9/27/97), in 1981 (L, 63-12 at Wyoming, 10/16/81; W, 35-29 vs. Colorado State, 10/24/81), in 1977 (L, 54-0 at Oklahoma State, 9/24/77; W, 23-21 vs. NM State, 10/1/77) and in 1922 (L, 64-0, vs. NM State, 11/11/22; W, 38-0 vs. 8th Calvary).
Very Few Infractions UTEP has committed only 30 penalties for 213 yards in its first six games. The Miners rank third nationally in fewest penalty yards (213), ninth in fewest penalty yards per game (35.5), 15th in fewest penalties (30) and 23rd in fewest penalties per game (5.0). It's simply par for the course under coach
Sean Kugler. In 18 games under his direction, UTEP has been whistled for 78 penalties totaling 622 yards. That breaks down to 4.3 penalties and 34.6 penalty yards per contest.
Head Coach
Sean Kugler Sean Kugler is 5-13 in his second year as UTEP's head coach. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Miners (1985-88) and a three-year starter at right guard. Kugler returned to the Sun City as a UTEP assistant coach (1993-2000), working as a graduate assistant/defensive line coach in 1993, tight ends & assistant strength and conditioning coach in 1994 and offensive line coach from 1995-2000. He coached in the NFL with Detroit (2001-05), Buffalo (2007-09) and Pittsburgh (2010-12) and was also assistant head coach at Boise State in 2006 when the Broncos finished 13-0 and beat Oklahoma, 43-42, in the Fiesta Bowl.
Players Turned Coaches Sean Kugler is the second UTEP head coach who played for the Miners at one time. The other is Walter Milner, a three-year letterman from 1931-33 who served as head coach in 1942. Kugler is one of 12 active Division I head coaches who played at the school where they are currently coaching.
School Head Coach Years Played at School Air Force Troy Calhoun 1985-88
Boise State Bryan Harsin 1995-99
East Carolina Ruffin McNeill 1976-80
Kent State Paul Haynes 1987-91
Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald 1993-96
Oklahoma State Mike Gundy 1986-89
Stanford David Shaw 1991-94
Texas Tech Kliff Kingsbury 1999-02
Tulsa Bill Blankenship 1975-79
Utah State Matt Wells 1994-96
UTEP
Sean Kugler 1985-88
Virginia Tech Frank Beamer 1966-68
Kugler Putting His Stamp on Program Sixty-five of the 105 players on the 2014 UTEP roster were signed by second-year head coach
Sean Kugler and his staff. Of the 40 players signed by previous head coach Mike Price, 18 are seniors.
Staff Returns Intact UTEP is one of 16 schools nationally to return its coaching staff intact from the 2013 season, along with Arizona, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, UL-Lafayette, Michigan State, Mississippi, San Diego State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington State. Flanking
Sean Kugler are offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Patrick Higgins, defensive coordinator
Scott Stoker, defensive line coach
Andrew Browning, defensive backs coach
Gabe Franklin, running backs coach
Cornell Jackson, assistant head coach/offensive line coach
Spencer Leftwich, tight ends coach/special teams coordinator
Brian Natkin, assistant special teams coordinator/nickelbacks/safeties coach Robert Rodriguez and wide receivers coach
Todd Whitten. Natkin and Rodriguez are former Miner players, while Higgins (1998- 2003) and Whitten (1994-95) have both coached at UTEP previously.
Captains The Miners' 2014 captains are all seniors -- RB
Nathan Jeffery, QB
Jameill Showers and TE
Eric Tomlinson (offense), DB
Wesley Miller (defense) and DB
Traun Roberson (special teams).
The Roster The Miners' 105-man roster includes 23 seniors, 23 juniors, 24 sophomores and 35 freshmen (26 true/nine redshirt). With 59 of its 105 players being either freshmen or sophomores (56.2 percent), UTEP has the fifth-youngest team in Conference USA behind Rice (68.3 percent), Western Kentucky (63.8), FIU (61.0) and North Texas (58.1). UTEP has 43 returning lettermen (18 offense/21 defense/four special teams) and 19 returning starters (eight offense/seven defense/four special teams). Senior OL
Jerel Watkins leads the Miners with 34 starts, followed by senior TE
Eric Tomlinson (26) and senior WR
Ian Hamilton (19). Among defensive players, senior LB
Anthony Puente leads with 18 starts, while sophomore DB
Devin Cockrell and senior DB
Wesley Miller have 17 starts apiece.
Centennial Team UTEP unveiled its football Centennial team, featuring a total of 35 players who defined the program over a period of eight decades starting in the 1930's, on Aug. 17. The selections are DBs Quintin Demps (2004-07), Eugene Epps (1967-68),
Charlie West (1965-67) and
Jesse Whittenton (1952-55); DLs
George Daney (1965-67),
Wayne Hansen (1947-49),
Tony Tolbert (1986-88) and
Brian Young (1995-99); K
Chris Jacke (1984-88); KR
Cedric Johnson (1993-96); LBs
Fred Carr (1965-67),
Thomas Howard (2002-05),
Seth Joyner (1982-85) and
Barron Wortham (1990-93); LS Jon Dorenbos (2000-02); OLs
Trey Darilek (2000-03),
Raymond Evans (1942-47),
Ernest Keily (1946-49),
Thurman Randle (1966-67) and
James Spady (1985-88); PR Hugh Harman (1953-56); P
Owen Price (1938-41); QBs
Pat Hegarty (1987-88),
Jordan Palmer (2003-06) and
Billy Stevens (1965-67); RBs
John Harvey (1985-88), Ken Heineman (1937-39),
Howard Jackson (2001-04) and
Fred Wendt (1942-48); TEs
Brian Natkin (1997-00) and
Bob Wallace (1965-67); and WRs Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. (2003-06),
Chuck Hughes (1964-66),
Don Maynard (1954-56) and
Lee Mays (1998-01). UTEP will honor its Football Centennial Team at the home game versus North Texas on Nov. 15.
Up Next UTEP returns to the Sun Bowl to take on Southern Miss on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The home game will mark the first of three games in the Sun City during the second half of the 2014 campaign, as UTEP will face North Texas (Nov. 15) and will close out the season against Middle Tennessee (Nov. 29). The Miners and Golden Eagles last met on Nov. 17, 2012 in Hattiesburg -- UTEP won, 34-33. The series is tied 3-3.
