Oct. 31, 2016
UTEP Notes
UTEP TO HOST FCS PROGRAM HOUSTON BAPTIST
UTEP will take a break from Conference USA action and will host Houston Baptist on Nov. 5. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. in the Sun Bowl. The Miners [2-6, 1-4 C-USA] are coming off a 31-21 loss to Old Dominion on Oct. 29, while the Huskies [3-5, 2-4 Southland Conference] ended a four-game losing skid after beating Lamar 24-17. The contest will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Saturday's contest will be the last home game before the Miners make their final two road trips of 2016 [at Florida Atlantic & at Rice]. UTEP returns to the Sun City for the regular season finale against North Texas on Nov. 26.
CONNECTIONS
Players who attended the same high schools are: UTEP DB Kolbi McGary and Houston Baptist S Jonathon Buffin [Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas], UTEP DB Dashone Smith and Houston Baptist DT Austin Holley [Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas], and UTEP DL Christian Harper and Houston Baptist DE Rion Gunell [North Shore High School in Houston].
ABOUT HOUSTON BAPTIST
The Huskies won at Lamar 24-17 on Oct. 29 to end a four-game losing streak. With the score tied 10-10 in the third quarter, Houston Baptist took a 17-10 go-ahead lead when Tony Dawson connected with Mev Ajdin on a 31-yard scoring pass. Isaiah Hall sealed the win after he hauled in a 44-yard touchdown reception from Dawson early in the fourth quarter. Lamar got within seven points following the HBU touchdown, but turned the ball over on downs with under two minutes remaining. HBU has been outscored 289-140, while averaging 361.0 yards of offense per game. Terrance Peters leads the Huskies in rushing yards [511] and rushing scores [four]. Dawson has thrown for 1,312 yards on 106-of-215 passing with five touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Hall leads the team in receptions [25], while Wesley Lewis leads in receiving yards [325]. Ajdin leads with a pair of scoring receptions. Defensively, the Huskies are giving up 443.4 yards per game, but have sacked the quarterback 13 times. Garrett Dolan leads the team with 97 tackles and 13.0 tackles for loss. Andre Walker leads the team with 2.5 sacks, while registering 30 tackles on the season.
UTEP VERSUS FCS PROGRAMS
When UTEP takes on Houston Baptist on Saturday, it will mark its 20th FCS opponent since 1983. All games have been played in the Sun Bowl. The last FCS school UTEP faced was Incarnate Word last season. The Miners rallied from 17-10 down and scored the next 17 points to claim a 27-17 win. Prior to last year's meeting against UIW, UTEP faced Stony Brook to open the 2011 season. The Miners defeated the Seawolves 31-24 in OT. Back in 2010, UTEP opened the campaign with a 31-10 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Miners are 16-3 versus FCS schools since 1983 and averaging 32.0 points per game, while yielding 13.9 points per contest. In all, UTEP teams have scored 608 points and have given up 265. The most points scored by UTEP in a game versus an FCS squad was 59 against Sam Houston State in 2003, while the least scored was 10 versus Idaho State in 1983. The losses came at the hands of Idaho State in 1983 [12-10], Lamar in 1989 [21-19] and Cal Poly in 2003 [34-13]. UTEP has pitched four shutouts: 45-0 vs. Texas Southern [2005], 32-0 vs. Weber State [2004], 14-0 vs. Northwestern State [1991] and 17-0 vs. Sam Houston State [1990].
LAST WEEK: OLD DOMINION 31, UTEP 21
Ray Lawry scored two touchdowns, part of a 21-0 Old Dominion run in the second half that carried the Monarchs past UTEP, 31-21, on Oct. 29 in the Sun Bowl. The Miners led 13-10 when Aaron Jones scored on a five-yard run with 6:24 remaining in the third quarter. Jay Mattox's extra point attempt was blocked. After that, Old Dominion scored on three consecutive possessions to take a 31-13 advantage early in the fourth quarter. The three touchdown drives elapsed four minutes and 57 seconds and covered 216 yards. The turning point came with Old Dominion leading 17-13 late in the third quarter. The Miners drove from their own 26 to the Monarch 32-yard line, but Ryan Metz's pass to Eddie Sinegal on fourth and short fell incomplete. Beforehand, it was a tight football game with Old Dominion jumping out to a 10-0 lead, and UTEP scoring 13 consecutive points to surge ahead. Jones rushed 25 times for 94 yards for the Miners. Metz completed 21-of-36 passes for 202 yards. Cole Freytag [seven catches, 84 yards] and Hayden Plinke [five catches, 53 yards] were UTEP's top pass catchers. Each scored a touchdown. Old Dominion had a 100-yard rusher [Lawry] and 100-yard receiver [Jonathan Duhart]. Lawry gained 131 yards on 17 carries, and Duhart made five catches for 155 yards. Monarch quarterback David Washington completed 14-of-22 passes for 262 yards. The Miners established season lows for penalties [two] and penalty yards [10]. They were outgained 393 yards to 337 despite winning time of possession 34:01 to 25:59. Old Dominion was limited to 132 yards in the first half. In the second half, the Monarchs gained 261 yards on 23 plays [11.3 avg.], as Lawry rushed 12 times for 110 yards and Duhart had two receptions for 103 yards. UTEP dropped to 38-46-1 in Homecoming games. The Monarchs posted their second consecutive victory over UTEP and by the same score as the 2015 meeting in Norfolk, Va.
AARON THE QB
Aaron Jones threw his first career touchdown against Old Dominion – a three-yard leaping pass to Hayden Plinke. Jones is the first Miner since Lorne Sam to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown and throw for a touchdown in a single season. Sam rushed for three scores, threw a pair of touchdowns and tallied a receiving touchdown in 2007.
CUSP OF ANOTHER 1,000-YARD SEASON
Aaron Jones has rushed for 940 yards in 2016 and has the opportunity to become only the third Miner ever, and first since Howard Jackson, to produce multiple 1,000-yard seasons during a career. Jones rushed for 1,321 yards in 2014, the fourth-best performance during a single season in UTEP history. Jackson rushed for 1,146 yards in 2003 and followed with 1,187 yards the next season. Toraino Singleton rushed for 1,277 yards in 1994 and another 1,358 yards in 1995.
TD JONES
Aaron Jones has recorded 25 career rushing scores after finding the end zone against Old Dominion on Oct. 29. Jones is now tied for no. 4 on UTEP's all-time list with Howard Jackson. Marcus Thomas [26 TDs] and Pug Gabrel [27 TDs] round out the next two spots on the list while John Harvey ranks no. 1 [42 TDs].
RACKING UP THE TD'S
Aaron Jones has scored 31 touchdowns in his career – 25 on the ground and six in the air. Jones now has 186 career points, tied for no. 5 with Howard Jackson [31 TDs] on the career points list [non-kickers]. Marcus Thomas's 192 points [32 TDs], Fred Wendt's 195 points (26 TDs, 39 PATs), Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr's 210 points (49 TDs) and John Harvey's 306 points [51 TDs] round out the list.
THE END ZONE IS JONES'S HOME
Aaron Jones, after scoring three touchdowns at UTSA on Oct. 22, now has scored multiple touchdowns in 11 career games. In 2013, Jones opened the season with a pair of rushing scores against New Mexico. In 2014, Jones rushed for three touchdowns against New Mexico, two against Texas Tech, two versus NM State and two more against North Texas. Jones also scored multiple touchdowns at UTSA [one rec., one rush] and against Middle Tennessee [one rec., one rush]. In 2015, Jones rushed for a touchdown and tallied a receiving score at Texas Tech. Jones opened the 2016 season with a pair of rushing scores against NM State and scored two more against FIU on Oct. 8.
DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORES
Aaron Jones is the first Miner since Kris Adams to produce multiple seasons of double-digit touchdowns. Jones has 11 total touchdowns in 2016, while he tallied 14 total scores in 2014. Adams produced 14 touchdowns in 2008 and 14 more in 2010.
100-YARD PERFORMANCES
Aaron Jones went over 100 yards for the 14th time in his career after rushing for 113 at UTSA. Jones is tied for no. 2 on the program's all-time list with Howard Jackson. John Harvey leads the list with 16 such games.
3,000-YARD CLUB
Aaron Jones rushed for 94 yards against Old Dominion on Oct. 29, giving the junior 3,281 yards in his career. Howard Jackson [3,466 yards] and John Harvey [3,576 yards] are the other two Miners to rush for 3,000 yards.
NO. 3 RUSHER ON UTEP'S ALL-TIME LIST
Aaron Jones ranks no. 3 on UTEP's all-time rushing list. Jones has compiled 3,281 yards following his 94-yard output against Old Dominion and is listed behind Howard Jackson [3,466 yards] and John Harvey [3,576 yards]. Jones is 186 yards away from moving past Jackson.
MOVING UP THE C-USA RUSHING LIST
Aaron Jones ranks no. 13 on the Conference USA all-time rushing list with 3,281 yards. Jones needs nine yards to move past LA Tech's Kenneth Dixon [3,289 yards]. Memphis' DeAngelo Williams leads the all-time list with 6,026 yards. Jones ranks tied for 30th with 25 career rushing scores, while his 30 total touchdowns are tied for no. 30. Dixon, Williams and Rice's Jarrett Dillard leads the C-USA all-time list with 60 total touchdowns. Williams leads the C-USA all-time rushing touchdowns list with 55.
KEEPING UP WITH AARON IN C-USA
Aaron Jones ranks no. 2 in C-USA in rushing yards [940] and yards per game [117.5] behind Middle Tennessee's I'Tavius Mathers's yards [1,088] and yards per game [136.0]. Jones's 150 attempts rank third, as Southern Miss' Ito Smith leads the way with 161. Jones ranks tied for fifth with nine rushing scores, while he's one of eight C-USA players with double-digit touchdowns. Jones ranks tied for fifth with 11 total touchdowns. Jones's 249-yard output in the season opener is still the most rushing yards by a single player in a single game in C-USA this season, while he's one of two league running backs to go over 200 yards [Mathers rushed for 215 at Missouri on Oct. 22]. Jones is tied for second with two other running backs with four 100-yard games. Mathers leads C-USA with six such performances, while Smith has five.
AARON'S NATIONAL NEWS
Aaron Jones ranks no. 10 in the nation with his 940 rushing yards. San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey leads the nation with 1,469 yards. Jones ranks 11th in rushing yards per game [117.5]. Jones's 150 attempts rank 25th; Pumphrey leads the way with 223 attempts. Jones's yards per carry [6.3] ranks tied for no. 60; New Mexico's Teriyon Gipson leads the nation with a 10.7 avg. Jones is tied for 25th with his nine rushing touchdowns; Louisville's Lamar Jackson leads the way with 16 rushing scores.
LONG RUNS BY AARON
Aaron Jones's 68-yard touchdown rush in the first quarter against Southern Miss on Sept. 24 marked the eighth rushing play of 50-plus yards in his career. He has had three in 2016 that includes a 75-yard score against NM State on Sept. 3 and a 51-yard sprint at Texas. Jones tallied an 81-yard run and a 65-yard rush as a freshman [2013], a 73-yard dash and 54-yard run as a sophomore [2014], and one in his injury-shortened 2015, a program-best 91-yard sprint at Texas Tech. He also added a 72-yard reception, to go along with a 54-yard catch in 2014. Jones ranks tied for fourth nationally with five runs of 40-plus yards and three runs of 50-plus yards, and tied for fifth with two 60-plus yard rushes.
100-YARD HALVES
Aaron Jones recorded 117 yards in the first half against Southern Miss on Sept. 24, making it the 10th career game in which he's gained over 100 yards in a half. Jones grinded out 161 yards in the second half against NM State to open the 2016 season and gained 114 yards in the first half at Texas on Sept. 10. His second-best was a 158-yard performance at New Mexico in the first half in 2014.
100-YARD QUARTERS
Aaron Jones registered 99 rushing yards in the first quarter against Southern Miss, coming up a yard short of hitting 100-plus in a quarter for the fourth time in his career. Jones had 104 yards rushing during the second quarter at Texas. Jones compiled 140 yards in the fourth quarter against NM State. Jones racked up 111 yards in the second quarter at Texas Tech last season before sustaining a season-ending injury.
ALL-PURPOSE JONES
Aaron Jones tallied a career-high 292 all-purpose yards versus NM State to open the 2016 season. Jones's all-purpose performance against the Aggies is tied with Southern Miss' Allenzae Staggers for the second-most gained in a single game this season in Conference USA. Jones, after his 109 all-purpose yards against Old Dominion on Oct. 29, now has 3,827 all-purpose yards in his career and is ranked no. 8 on the program's all-time list. Autrey Golden ranks no. 7 with 3,979 all-purpose yards, while Howard Jackson leads the chart with 6,153 all-purpose yards.
THIRD-MOST RUSHING YARDS
Aaron Jones's career-high 249 yards against rival NM State on Sept. 3 ranks as the third-best single-game performance in school history. Donald Buckram went for 262 yards against Houston in 2009, while Fred Wendt holds the single-season high with 326 versus NMSU in 1948.
THE HAT TRICK FOR THE DYNAMIC DUO
Walter Dawn and Aaron Jones became the first-ever Miners to score three touchdowns during a single contest. The pair accounted for 36 of UTEP's 52 points at UTSA on Oct. 22. However, the two are not the first to each score 18 points in the same contest. In 2008, Kris Adams and Jose Martinez tallied 18 points apiece during a win against SMU. In 2005, Reagan Schneider and Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. each recorded 18 points in a victory over Houston.
MORE ON THE DYNAMIC EFFORTS
Walter Dawn, after his performance at UTSA, was the first Miner to tally at least two rushing scores and a receiving score since Donald Buckram did so at Tulane on Nov. 7, 2009. Buckram recorded three rushing scores and a receiving touchdown. As far as Aaron Jones's two receiving scores and rushing touchdown at UTSA, he's the first to have such numbers by a UTEP player in the modern era.
DAWN OF A NEW ERA
Walter Dawn burst onto the scene on Oct. 22, as the true freshman wide receiver scored three touchdowns during an epic victory at UTSA. The first score – and first of Dawn's career – was an eight-yard jet sweep to the left, while his second touchdown was a 74-yard reception from Kavika Johnson. The third trip to pay dirt was a 12-yard rush during the third overtime. Dawn tallied 112 all-purpose yards, which included 38 rushing yards. Thus far in 2016, Dawn has rushed for 63 yards on 10 attempts [6.3 avg.] and has 124 yards on five receptions [24.8 avg.]. Dawn has also returned eight kickoffs for 125 yards [15.6 avg.] with a long return of 27 yards.
FRESHMEN TD'S
Walter Dawn is the first UTEP freshman to score a trio of touchdowns in a game since John Harvey did so at Colorado State on Sept. 14, 1985. Dawn was also the third freshman to have multiple trips to the end zone during Sean Kugler's time at the helm. Aaron Jones opened his UTEP career with a pair of rushing scores against New Mexico [2013], while Darrin Laufasa tallied two rushing touchdowns at NM State [2013]. It's the fifth time since 2014 that a single player has scored three touchdowns in a game. Jones scored three at New Mexico [2014], Josh Bell scored a trio against Old Dominion [2014] and Nathan Jeffery tallied three scores against North Texas [2014].
METZ PRODUCING SOLID NUMBERS
Ryan Metz made his third start of the season against Old Dominion, throwing for 202 yards on 21-of-36 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Metz produced solid numbers during a 52-49 win in five overtimes at UTSA on Oct. 22. The El Paso native tied a career best with three touchdown passes, while he registered 211 yards on 15-of-23 passing with no interceptions. Metz is completing 63.6 percent [70-of-110] of his passes to lead the Miners. Metz has thrown for 726 yards with five touchdown passes and two interceptions. Metz ranks fourth in Conference USA in completion percentage and 14th in passing yards. WKU's Mike White leads the league in completion percentage (68.9), while LA Tech's Ryan Higgins leads the pack with 2,914 yards passing.
AMAZIN' METZ
Ryan Metz has been part of two 50-plus point games the last two seasons. On Oct. 22, Metz tied his career best with three touchdown passes, as he led the Miners to a 52-49 win in five overtimes at UTSA. The sophomore also led his squad during last season's 50-47 overtime victory at NM State where he also threw for a trio of touchdowns. Metz has also engineered UTEP's longest two scoring drives the last two seasons. The first was a 98-yard, eight-play drive during the overtime win at NM State, while the second was a 97-yard, seven-play drive at UTSA. Metz was one of eight quarterbacks to be recognized as a Manning Award Star of the Week after his performance at UTSA.
KAVIKA'S DEEP PASS
Kavika Johnson, who is listed as UTEP's no. 3 quarterback, has the ability to play multiple positions and make big plays. Johnson completed UTEP's longest pass of 2016 at UTSA on Oct. 22. Ryan Metz threw a lateral to Johnson on the right side, followed by Johnson whipping the ball out to a wide-open Walter Dawn down the left side of the field for a 74-yard touchdown toss. Johnson, on the season, has rushed for 47 yards, while registering 35 yards on six receptions and throwing for 131 yards on 12-of-21 passing.
MINER ARMS
UTEP had multiple Miners throw touchdowns against UTSA and Old Dominion in consecutive weeks. At UTSA on Oct. 22, Ryan Metz and Kavika Johnson each threw touchdowns, while Metz and Aaron Jones each tallied touchdown tosses against ODU. Four Miners have thrown touchdowns in 2016 – Zach Greenlee and Metz each have five, while Johnson and Jones have each tossed a score. In 2012, Nick Lamaison [12], Carson Meger [one], Blaire Sullivan [two] and Jim Jones [one] all threw touchdowns.
PAYDIRT PLINKE
Hayden Plinke produced another solid outing against Old Dominion on Oct. 29, as the senior tight end caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Plinke's four touchdowns this season are the most for a UTEP tight end since Brian Natkin and Joey Knapp each tallied four scores in 2000. Plinke leads the Miners in touchdown receptions, while he ranks second on the team in receptions [22] and yards [240]. At LA Tech on Oct. 1, Plinke recorded 66 yards on a season-high eight catches with a 10-yard touchdown. Plinke's eight receptions in a single game are the most by a UTEP pass catcher in 2016.
JOHN MACKEY RECOGNITION
Hayden Plinke bulldozed over defenders as he produced a season-high 84 yards on four receptions, including a season-long 54-yard reception during UTEP's epic 52-49 win in five overtimes at UTSA on Oct. 22. Plinke also recorded his first career two-point conversion in the third overtime to extend the contest against the Roadrunners. Plinke earned a John Mackey Tight End of the Week honorable mention on Oct. 25 following his performance.
PLINKE'S C-USA NOTES
Hayden Plinke's four touchdown receptions are the most by a Conference USA tight end in 2016. His scores rank tied for no. 13 in the conference. Plinke's 22 receptions are tied with Marshall's Ryan Yurachek and ranked second behind FIU's Jonnu Smith [39 receptions] among C-USA tight ends. Plinke's 240 yards are also third-most by a C-USA tight end. Smith has recorded 441 yards, while Yurachek has tallied 250 yards.
COLE'S CATCHES
Cole Freytag recorded a career-high seven receptions for 84 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown reception against Old Dominion. Freytag currently leads the Miners in receptions [24], receiving yards [378] and yards per game [47.2], while ranking second in touchdown receptions [three]. Freytag ranks 20th in Conference USA in yards per game and yards, while ranking tied for 26th in receptions. Freytag's yards per reception rank no. 8.
CATCHING ON WITH SE7EN
Cole Freytag's seven receptions against Old Dominion were the most by a UTEP wide receiver since Jaquan White hauled in seven passes against Incarnate Word in 2015. In fact, seven receptions are the most by a Miner wide receiver during the Sean Kugler era, as Jordan Leslie also tallied seven receptions at NM State in 2013.
STEADY EDDIE
Eddie Sinegal made his first career start at UTSA on Oct. 22 while he made his second start against Old Dominion. Sinegal caught a pair of passes for 13 yards against the Monarchs. On Oct. 1 at LA Tech, the El Paso native set career bests in receptions [six], yards [102] and long catch [32 yards] and followed with a career-best 146 all-purpose yards against FIU on Oct. 8. The freshman also added his first career rushing attempt, a 42-yard dash on an end-around to the left side against the Panthers, finishing with 49 yards on four catches and 55 kickoff yards on three returns, including a long return of 39 yards. The El Paso native tallied his first collegiate receptions [three] and yards [23] against Army on Sept. 17 and followed with three catches for 24 yards against Southern Miss on Sept. 24. Sinegal ranks third on the team in receptions [20] and yards [232]. Sinegal has tallied 342 all-purpose yards [42.8 ypg]. Sinegal was the first Miner to hit 100-yards receiving since Tyler Batson's 143 yards against Florida Atlantic in 2015.
100 YARDS IN THE KUGLER ERA
After Eddie Sinegal's 102-yard performance at LA Tech, head coach Sean Kugler has seen ten 100-yard performances by receivers since his first season in 2013. Jordan Leslie recorded five such performances in 2013, while Ian Hamilton registered a 108-yard performance in 2013. Hamilton tallied a pair of 100-yard games in 2014, while Tyler Batson had one in 2015. Batson's 143 yards against Florida Atlantic were the most during the Kugler era.
REDIX'S GAME WINNER
Warren Redix registered his second touchdown catch of the year and first since the season opener when he hauled in the game-winning score at UTSA in the fifth overtime. Ryan Metz rolled out to his right and found an open Redix down the sideline of the end zone. Redix made a tippy-toe reception as he controlled the ball going out of bounds. The El Paso native has 69 yards on 10 catches in 2016.
PROTECTING THE FIELD GENERAL
After giving up eight sacks in the first four games, the Miners' offensive line has yielded seven sacks over the last four contests. And after giving up three at LA Tech on Oct. 1, the Miners have given up four the last three games. On the season, UTEP ranks tied for fourth with LA Tech in sacks against [15]. Over the last three campaigns, UTEP has given up 40 sacks in 33 games. The sacks allowed have decreased since the arrival of former UTEP offensive lineman and head coach Sean Kugler. During Kugler's four seasons at the helm, UTEP signal callers have been sacked 67 times in 45 games [1.5 per game]. The previous three seasons [37 games] prior to Kugler's arrival, Miner quarterbacks went down 84 times [2.3 per game].
OTHER O-LINE NOTES
Transfer Tanner Stallings made his third consecutive start in a UTEP uniform at the center position against Old Dominion on Oct. 29, while Darren Gatewood also made his third straight start at the right guard position against ODU after starting the previous five contests at the center position. True freshman Greg Long started his first career game against Southern Miss at the right guard position on Sept. 24. The Eastwood High School graduate also got the nod the last three contests following the start against the Golden Eagles. Long started at the left tackle position at LA Tech, versus FIU and at UTSA. Left guard Will Hernandez started his 33rd game in 33 career contests at UTEP. John De La Rosa, who had been fighting an injury, made his way back to the starting lineup. De La Rose got the nod at the right tackle position against ODU. De La Rosa started the first three contests of 2016 at the right guard position, missed the Southern Miss contest and then started against FIU at right tackle. Jerome Daniels, after starting the first four contests at left tackle, made his way back as the starting left tackle against ODU. Daniels had missed two games [at LA Tech, vs. FIU] before making a start at right tackle at UTSA.
CHEWING UP THE CLOCK
UTEP's had a season-long scoring drive in terms of time during the third quarter that chewed 8:36 off the clock and resulted in an Aaron Jones five-yard touchdown rush against Old Dominion. It was the longest scoring drive in terms of time since last season when Jay Mattox converted a 38-yard field goal at Southern Miss that took 8:49 off the clock. As far as a touchdown drive, the Miners took 11:20 off the clock at WKU in 2014 that ended in a Nathan Jeffery three-yard scoring rush.
LESS PENALTIES
After committing a season-high 13 penalties at UTSA, UTEP committed a season-low two penalties and penalty yards [10 yards] against Old Dominion. The Miners rank tied for fifth with Old Dominion in Conference USA in total penalties [51], while ranking third in least penalty yards [399], fourth in penalty yards per game [49.9] and tied for sixth in penalties per game [6.4].
FIRST DOWN MINERS
UTEP tallied 24 first downs against Old Dominion. It was the second-most first downs this season, as the Miners recorded a season-high 28 in the opener against NM State. The first downs have increased since only converting 30 the next three contests [10 at Texas, 10 vs. Army, 10 vs. Southern Miss]. The Miners have averaged 20.5 first downs the last four games [82 total first downs]. UTEP ranks last in Conference USA in total first downs [140] and first downs per game [17.5].
PLAYMAKING SMITH
Dashone Smith intercepted his second pass in as many weeks against Old Dominion. The senior starting free safety registered an interception at UTSA on Oct. 22 and leads the Miners in that department. Smith is the first Miner to pick off a pass in consecutive games since Shane Huhn did so in 2012. Huhn intercepted a pass against East Carolina [9/29] and SMU [10/6]. Smith ranks fourth on the team in tackles [35] and has broken up three passes. Smith, during his career, has picked off five passes.
DASHONE'S BIG PICK
Dashone Smith tallied UTEP's second interception in 2016 at UTSA, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. During the fourth quarter, after UTSA quarterback Dalton Sturm completed long passes of 53, 33 and 30 yards, he went deep again from the UTEP 40-yard line. It was a flea flicker in which he was looking for Josh Stewart in the end zone. Sturm whipped the ball out, as Stewart and Smith were the only ones in the end zone. Smith turned at the right time, leaped high and intercepted the pass.
LOVE FOR LOVILETTE
Dante Lovilette has been a key contributor on defense, as the junior transfer has started all seven games in 2016 at the BUCK LB position. Lovilette tallied 10 more tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and a .5 sack [first of his UTEP career] against Old Dominion. Lovilette leads the team with 60 tackles, while ranking tied for no. 13 in Conference USA. Lovilette has also recorded 6.0 tackles for loss [tied for team lead], two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
DC'S IMPACT
Devin Cockrell tallied a season-high and team-leading 10 tackles at UTSA, including a 2016 team single-game best eight solo stops with a pass breakup. Since coming back from an injury that sidelined the junior for 2015, Cockrell ranks fourth on the team and leads all UTEP defensive backs with 41 tackles. Cockrell has contributed 3.0 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery in 2016.
USHER THE CRUSHER
Nick Usher tied his career best with nine tackles at UTSA on Oct. 22 and followed with four more stops against Old Dominion. Usher ranks second on the defense with 57 tackles in 2016, while ranking tied for 19th in Conference USA in tackles per game [7.1]. Usher leads the UTEP defense in sacks [4.0] and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss [6.0], while in C-USA, Usher ranks tied for sixth in sacks. Usher has 10.5 sacks during his career, needing 2.5 to crack the program's all-time list.
16 FOR 16
Alvin Jones recorded a career-high 16 tackles against FIU on Oct. 8. Jones's performance is tied for second-most in a single game in Conference USA this season. His tackles were also the most by a UTEP defender since Richard Spencer's 17-tackle performance versus LA Tech on Oct. 5, 2013. Jones made his return to the gridiron on Oct. 1 after the junior linebacker missed the previous two contests due to injury. Jones surpassed his previous personal best of 12 tackles, while it was the seventh multi-tackle performance of his career. Jones registered 12 stops in the season opener against NM State, while in 2015 he registered five multi-tackle contests. At one point last year, Jones tallied 11 tackles in three consecutive games.
WELCOME BACK, ALVIN
Alvin Jones is ranked third on the Miners with 52 tackles after producing nine against Old Dominion. Jones ranks tied for 27th in Conference USA in tackles. Jones is averaging 8.7 tackles per contest, ranking eighth in C-USA. Jones has also tallied 2.0 tackles for loss, giving the junior 25.5 in his career. He needs 5.0 tackles for loss to crack the program's top-10 list. Jones registered his first sack of the season, a shared quarterback take down with Foster Dixson against ODU. Jones [8.5 career sacks] needs 3.5 sacks to etch his name on the program's all-time list.
VANHOOK COMING ON STRONG
Freshman strong outside LB Jayson VanHook tallied a career-high eight tackles, while tying his career best with 1.5 tackles against FIU on Oct. 8. VanHook tallied three tackles at UTSA, while coming up with a big tackle for loss [three-yard loss on a second-and-eight play] that helped force a UTSA field goal in the first overtime. VanHook saw his first action at Texas on Sept. 10 and registered seven tackles to go along with his first career sack. Since the Texas performance, VanHook has started the last six games at the SAM linebacker position. He ranks eighth on the UTEP defense with 31 tackles, while adding 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
IN THE NIK OF TIME
Nik Needham tallied a career-best nine tackles at UTSA. Besides making key tackles, Needham leads the Miners and ranks tied for third in Conference USA with eight pass breakups, while ranking tied for 20th nationally. Indiana's Rashard Fant leads the nation with 14 pass breakups, while Charlotte's Anthony Covington and Marshall's Rodney Allen each lead C-USA with nine. Needham opened the season by breaking up three passes [tying for third-most in school history] against NM State and broke up two more against Southern Miss on Sept. 24. Darius Ellison set the single-season program record by breaking up 14 passes in 1998. Needham has 13 career breakups, needing seven to crack the program's all-time top-10 list.
JUSTIN TIME
UTEP had gone the first five games without recording an interception for the first time in the modern era of football. But true freshman Justin Rogers finally notched UTEP's first elusive pick when he intercepted an Alex McGough pass in the fourth quarter versus FIU on Oct. 8. The turnover resulted in a UTEP touchdown. Rogers has made an impact on the UTEP defense as a true freshman. Rogers broke up a pass against Old Dominion, and is ranked second on the team and tied for ninth in Conference USA with six pass breakups, while ranking tied for 10th with seven passes defended. Rogers, after tallying a trio of tackles against ODU, has 14 tackles on the season. Rogers recorded a career-high two pass breakups at LA Tech on Oct. 1, while forcing and recovering a fumble against Southern Miss on Sept. 24.
OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTABLES
Foster Dixson tallied his first career sack, a .5 sack against Old Dominion. Dixson also chipped in with a tackle. Sky Logan tallied four stops against ODU, giving him 23 tackles on the season. Brian "Mad Dog" Madunezim tallied .5 a sack against ODU and chipped in with three tackles. Madunezim has registered 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2016.
SEASON-LOW IN 3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS
The UTEP defense yielded a season-low 1-of-8 third downs against Old Dominion. It was the first time the Miner defense allowed only one third-down conversion since Oct. 25, 2014 at UTSA.
PASS DEFENSE RANKS HIGH
The UTEP pass defense ranks no. 3 in Conference USA and 5oth nationally, allowing 217.8 yards per game. On Oct. 1 at LA Tech, the Miners allowed 191 yards passing, the lowest total for LA Tech in 2016. LA Tech currently ranks no. 2 in the nation with its 376.0 yards passing per game.
THE BREAKUP
UTEP registered six pass breakups at UTSA after tallying four against FIU and six pass breakups at LA Tech. UTEP opened the 2016 campaign with 10 pass breakups against NM State on Sept. 3. It was the most pass breakups since registering 10 against NM State on Sept. 15, 2012. The Miners have tallied double-digit breakups two other times since 2001 – 12 vs. Tulsa on Oct. 14, 2005 and 10 vs. San Jose State on Oct. 20, 2001. UTEP ranks no. 6 in Conference USA and tied for no. 30 nationally with 33 pass breakups. Middle Tennessee [46] and WKU [44] lead the way in C-USA. Nationally, UNLV leads the pack with 51 pass breakups.
YOUNG COACHING
Head Coach Sean Kugler sealed his coaching staff in February with the addition of Derrius Bell as the cornerbacks coach. Bell is the fourth-youngest coach in college football at the age of 27. Assistant Coach Sean Duggan from Hawai'i is the youngest coach at 22, followed by Patrick Toney from UTSA [26] and Brett Ekkens from Akron [27]. Bell played under defensive coordinator Tom Mason before serving on his coaching staff for three seasons.
JUNIEL'S SPECIALTY
Terry Juniel has made a solid impression returning punts for UTEP in 2016. The junior transfer, who missed all of 2015 due to injury, is averaging 12.6 yards per punt return [151 yards on 12 returns], after his 39-yard punt return against Old Dominion. Juniel's longest was a return of 43 yards in the season opener. UTEP ranks second in Conference USA in punt return average [12.6]. Juniel's 104 punt return yards in the season opener against NM State is the single-game high in C-USA thus far. Juniel's season-opening performance also ranks eighth-best in a single-game at UTEP and marks the most yards by a Miner since Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. tallied 101 yards on a pair of returns versus Tulane on Oct. 14, 2006. Juniel's six returns against the Aggies are tied for fifth-most with three other Miners. Juniel has added 83 yards on nine receptions, including a 42-yard catch at LA Tech on Oct. 1. He's returned seven kickoffs for 133 yards [19.0 avg.] with a long return of 26 yards. Juniel is averaging 45.5 all-purpose yards.
DAS BOOT
Alan Luna is ranked third in Conference USA and 30th nationally in punting average [43.3]. Luna punted four times for an average of 50.0 yards [200 yards] against Old Dominion, including two inside the 20-yard line. Luna punted four times at LA Tech on Oct. 1. Of the four, three were kicked inside the 20-yard line, while two were inside the 10-yard line. The last time Luna kicked a trio of punts inside the 20 came against LA Tech in 2015. On Sept. 24, Luna booted a career-long 69-yard punt against Southern Miss during the third quarter. Luna's 69-yard punt is tied for 16th-longest in the nation this season. Luna kicked six punts for 306 yards for a career-best 51-yard average versus the Golden Eagles. Luna now has 4,833 career punting yards, and needs 120 to crack the program's all-time list.
JUST KICKIN' IT
Jay Mattox connected on a PAT against Old Dominion, giving the kicker 228 points in his career. Mattox ranks no. 2 on the all-time points list [kickers]. Mattox has kicked 117 PATs and is 20 PATs away from tying the school record held by Reagan Schneider [137 PATs]. Schneider [287 points] ranks no. 1 on the all-time list.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The Miners' 105-man roster includes 20 seniors, 25 juniors, 19 sophomores and 41 freshmen (28 true/13 redshirt). UTEP has 47 lettermen returning (24 offense/21 defense/two special teams) and 17 returning starters (eight offense/six defense/three special teams).
DEPTH CHART
The two-deep for the Houston Baptist game features eight projected senior starters [four offense/four defense], eight junior starters [three offense/five defense] and five sophomore starters [three offense/two defense]. Of the 29 players listed in the offensive two-deep, 19 are upperclassmen [nine seniors/10 juniors]. Of the 22 players listed in the defensive two-deep, 14 are upperclassmen [seven seniors/seven juniors]. Eleven freshmen are in the depth chart [five offense/five defense], featuring true freshmen Jerrell Brown [FS], Walter Dawn [WR], Kevin Dove [RB], Gene Hopkins [DE], Greg Long [LT], Christian Richardson [NG], Justin Rogers [CB], Eddie Sinegal [WR] and Quadraiz Wadley [RB].
HOMETOWN TALENT
Since Sean Kugler was hired as UTEP's head coach, he vowed to suit up El Paso's best players. He kept his word as seven El Paso high school standouts signed letters of intent in 2016. Overall the 2016 roster is composed of 26 Sun City players.
LOCAL PLAYERS ON DEPTH CHART
Thirteen area players will grace the two-deep for the Houston Baptist game. They are OL Derek Elmendorff [Franklin HS], WR Cole Freytag [Coronado HS], FB David Jackson [Parkland HS], RB Aaron Jones [Burges HS], LB Alvin Jones [Burges HS], QB Kavika Johnson [Mayfield HS (Las Cruces, N.M.)], OL Greg Long [Eastwood HS], K/P Alan Luna [Franklin HS], QB Ryan Metz [Andress HS], WR Brandon Moss [Chapin HS], OL Eric Ramirez [Del Valle HS], WR Warren Redix [Montwood HS] and WR Eddie Sinegal [Andress HS].
UP NEXT
UTEP will hit the road to resume Conference USA action at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 12. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. ET/4 MT. The contest will mark the second time the two programs will meet, while it's the first trip to Boca Raton for UTEP. Last season the Miners defeated the Owls 27-17 in El Paso.
