Nov. 7, 2016
UTEP Notes
UTEP TO TAKE ON FLORIDA ATLANTIC IN BOCA RATON
UTEP will resume Conference USA action and makes its first-ever road trip to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 12, as the Miners will play the first of back-to-back road games. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. ET/4 MT at FAU Stadium. The Miners [3-6, 1-4 C-USA] are coming off a 42-10 victory over Houston Baptist on Nov. 5, while the Owls [2-7, 1-4 C-USA] won at Rice 42-25. UTEP's next opponent is Rice in Houston on Nov. 19. The Miners will then close out the 2016 regular season against North Texas in the Sun Bowl on Nov. 26. UTEP is making its second trip to the Sunshine State in as many seasons. The Miners played against FIU in Miami last season. Back in 2011, UTEP traveled to the state of Florida twice – the first at no. 18 South Florida and the second was at UCF during the season finale. The Miners are looking for their first win in the Eastern Time Zone [0-20-1 all-time].
CONNECTIONS
UTEP has four players from the state of Florida: LB Devin Gillotte [Greenacres], DB Alex Jean Charles [Winter Haven], TE Kent Taylor [Tampa] and DB Dante Young [Weeki Wachee]. UTEP Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Spencer Leftwich and Florida Atlantic special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Chris Hurd were both at North Texas during the 2000-02 seasons. Leftwich was the offensive line coach, while Hurd played the linebacker position.
ABOUT FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Freshman RB Devin Singletary broke two Florida Atlantic records by rushing for 252 yards and three scores while Jason Driskel threw for 317 yards on 15-of-23 passing and two touchdowns, as the Owls defeated Rice 42-25 last week in Houston to notch their second win in 2016. FAU led 21-14 at halftime, but outscored Rice 21-11 in the second half to pull away. The Owls also set a school record by amassing 657 yards of total offense. FAU ranks seventh in Conference USA in rushing yards per game [203.1] led by Greg Howell's 717 yards rushing on 140 carries [5.1 avg.] and 10 rushing touchdowns. Singletary has rushed for 547 yards and five scores this season. Driskel has thrown for 1,672 yards on 140-of-242 passing [57.9 percent] with six touchdowns and seven picks. Kalib Woods leads the Owls in receptions [47] and receiving yards [640] with one touchdown. FAU is averaging 22.4 points per contest [ranks last in C-USA] while it is giving up 36.3 points per game, which ranks next to last in C-USA. Jalen Young leads the team and ranks tied for third in C-USA in tackles per game [9.7]. Young has 87 tackles on the season. Trey Hendrickson leads the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and ranks second in C-USA in sacks [8.0] and sacks per game [.89].
SERIES HISTORY
The Miners won the only previous matchup between the teams, 27-17, last season in the Sun Bowl.
THE LAST MEETING
Mack Leftwich completed 20-of-39 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns in his return to the starting lineup, as UTEP snapped a two-game skid with a 27-17 win over Florida Atlantic on Oct. 24, 2015 in the Sun Bowl. Leftwich established career-highs across the board, including throwing his career-long 76-yard pass to Tyler Batson to account for the Miners' first touchdown. He was making his first start in a little over a month after a concussion knocked him out of the previous three games. The Miners trailed 17-14 at halftime but rallied to shut out the Owls over the final 30 minutes. UTEP took the lead for good when Batson hauled in a 30-yard TD pass from Leftwich late in the third quarter, putting the finishing touches on a nine-play, 76-yard drive. Batson finished with three catches for a career-high 143 yards. Jay Mattox made a couple of field goals in the fourth quarter to ice the victory – a 35-yarder with 13:08 to go, and a 42-yarder with 4:01 remaining. At halftime the Owls had 293 yards of offense behind Trey Rodriguez, who rushed for 112 on six carries. In the second half, the tables were turned as FAU gained 116 yards including six on the ground. Laquintus Dowell (73 yards) and Jeremiah Laufasa (71) accounted for 142 yards rushing for the Miners, who gained 139 as a team. A return to health by leading tackler Alvin Jones sparked the Miners on defense. He was credited with a game-high eight stops and two tackles for losses.
LAST WEEK: UTEP 42, HOUSTON BAPTIST 10
Aaron Jones rushed for 228 yards in about two and a half quarters of action as UTEP throttled FCS squad Houston Baptist, 42-10, on Nov. 5 in the Sun Bowl. The Miners, playing their final non-conference game, made quick work of the Huskies, scoring the game's first 28 points. UTEP led 28-3 at halftime behind Jones, who compiled 181 of the team's 300 total yards. Jones had touchdown rushes of 39 and 62 yards in the first half. Jones had only 14 carries on the night, averaging 16.3 yards per attempt. UTEP gained a season-high 323 yards rushing, and the Miners' 514 yards of offense were their second-most of 2016 behind the 518 in the opener versus NM State. Complimenting Jones in the ground game were freshmen Kevin Dove (10 carries, 59 yards) and Quadraiz Wadley (11 carries, 35 yards). Ryan Metz was efficient for UTEP under center, completing 16-of-21 passes for 191 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His favorite targets were tight end Hayden Plinke (seven catches, 77 yards) and wide receiver Eddie Sinegal (four catches, 53 yards). Plinke reached the end zone twice, first on a nine-yard pass from Metz late in the first quarter, and later on an 11-yard TD grab early in the fourth period. The UTEP defense stifled the Huskies, holding them to 227 yards, as quarterbacks Tony Dawson and Max Staver were a combined 8-for-27 passing for 90 yards. Houston Baptist had a little more success running the football with 137 yards on 32 carries (4.3 avg.), with 59 of the yards coming from Dawson. Dante Lovilette led the Miner stop troops with eight tackles, while Dashone Smith and Nick Usher chipped in with six apiece. It was a clean game with the teams combining for zero turnovers and only three penalties totaling 33 yards.
NO. 2 RUSHER ON UTEP'S ALL-TIME LIST
Aaron Jones now ranks no. 2 on UTEP's all-time rushing list after his 228 yards against Houston Baptist. Jones has compiled 3,509 yards and needs just 68 yards to move past John Harvey [3,576 yards], the program's all-time leading rusher. Jones's 593 career rush attempts rank no. 5 on the all-time list behind Paul Smith [603].
NO. 1 RUSHER IN C-USA
Aaron Jones ranks no. 1 in Conference USA in rushing yards [1,168] and yards per game [129.8]. Jones's 164 attempts rank third, as Southern Miss' Ito Smith leads the way with 176. Jones ranks fourth with 11 rushing scores, while he's one of 11 C-USA players with double-digit total touchdowns. Jones ranks tied for fourth with 13 total touchdowns. Jones's 249-yard output in the season opener is the second-most rushing yards by a single player in a game in C-USA this season, while he's one of four league running backs to go over 200 yards. Florida Atlantic's Devin Singletary rushed for a C-USA season-high 252 yards on Nov. 5 at Rice. Jones is tied for second with Smith with five 100-yard games. Mathers leads C-USA with six such performances. Jones's 7.1 yards per carry ranks second behind LA Tech's Boston Scott [8.4 avg.].
AARON'S NATIONAL NEWS
Aaron Jones ranks no. 6 in the nation with his 1,168 rushing yards. San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey leads the nation with 1,581 yards. Jones is one of 15 FBS players to reach the 1,000-yard mark in 2016. Jones ranks seventh in rushing yards per game [129.8]. Jones's 164 attempts rank tied 29th; Pumphrey leads the way with 244 attempts. Jones's yards per carry [7.1] ranks 25th; New Mexico's Teriyon Gipson leads the nation with a 9.6 avg. Jones is tied for 16th with his 11 rushing touchdowns; Louisville QB Lamar Jackson leads the way with 19 rushing scores.
3,000-YARD CLUB
Aaron Jones has rushed for 3,509 yards in his career. Jones, Howard Jackson [3,466 yards] and John Harvey [3,576 yards] are the only Miners to rush for 3,000 yards in a career.
ANOTHER 200-YARD PERFORMANCE
Aaron Jones rushed for 228 yards against Houston Baptist. It was Jones's third career 200-yard showing and his third-most rushing yards gained in a single contest. Jones opened his junior campaign by rushing for a career-high 249 yards in the season opener against NM State. Jones opened the 2014 season with a 237-yard output at New Mexico.
200-PLUS YARDS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Aaron Jones's 228 yards against Houston Baptist marked the program's 20th 200-plus yard outing. Jones is tied with Donald Buckram and John Harvey with a trio of 200-plus yard contests in a career. Fred Wendt leads the list with four 200-plus yard games, while his 326 yards in 1948 against NM State is a school record. Jones now has a pair of 200-plus yard games in 2016, the first time since Buckram produced all three of his showings during the 2009 season.
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.
MULTIPLE 1,000-YARD SEASONS
Aaron Jones has rushed for 1,168 yards in 2016, while it's the ninth-best single-season performance in program history. Jones is 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 27 career rushing scores after finding the end zone twice against Houston Baptist. Jones is now tied for no. 2 on UTEP's all-time list with Pug Gabrel. John Harvey ranks no. 1 with 42 rushing touchdowns.
RACKING UP THE TD'S
Aaron Jones has scored 33 touchdowns in his career – 27 on the ground and six in the air. Jones now has 198 career points, ranked no. 3 behind Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr's 210 points (49 TDs) and John Harvey's 306 points [51 TDs].
THE END ZONE IS JONES'S HOME
Aaron Jones, after scoring a pair of touchdowns against Houston Baptist, now has scored multiple touchdowns in 12 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, scored two more against FIU on Oct. 8 and found the end zone a trio of times at UTSA on Oct. 22.
DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORES
Aaron Jones is the first Miner since Kris Adams to produce multiple seasons of double-digit touchdowns. Jones has 13 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 15th time in his career after rushing for 228 yards against Houston Baptist. Jones is ranked no. 2 on the program's all-time list, one behind John Harvey who leads the list with 16 such games.
MOVING UP THE C-USA RUSHING LIST
Aaron Jones ranks no. 12 on the Conference USA all-time rushing list with 3,509 yards. Jones needs seven yards to move past Tulane's Trey Watts [3,515 yards]. Memphis' DeAngelo Williams leads the all-time list with 6,026 yards. Jones ranks tied for 26th with 27 career rushing scores, while his 33 total touchdowns are tied for no. 25. Dixon, Williams and Rice's Jarrett Dillard lead the C-USA all-time list with 60 total touchdowns. Williams leads the C-USA all-time rushing touchdowns list with 55.
LONG RUNS BY AARON
Aaron Jones's 62-yard touchdown rush against Houston Baptist marked the ninth rushing play of 50-plus yards in his career. He has had four in 2016 that includes a 75-yard score against NM State on Sept. 3, a 51-yard sprint at Texas and a 68-yard touchdown rush against Southern Miss on Sept. 24. 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 second nationally with six runs of 40-plus yards, tied for third nationally with four runs of 50-plus yards, and tied for second with three 60-plus yard rushes.
100-YARD HALVES
Aaron Jones recorded 181 yards in the first half against Houston Baptist, making it the 11th 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, gained 114 yards in the first half at Texas on Sept. 10 and recorded 117 yards in the first half against Southern Miss on Sept. 24. His compiled 158 yards at New Mexico in the first half in 2014.
100-YARD QUARTERS
Aaron Jones registered 119 rushing yards in the first quarter against Houston Baptist, making it the fifth time in his career that he hit 100-plus rushing yards in a single quarter. 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 228 all-purpose yards against Houston Baptist on Nov. 5, now has 4,055 all-purpose yards in his career and is ranked no. 6 on the program's all-time list. Cedric Johnson ranks no. 5 with 4,135 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.
FRESHMEN BACKS
Kevin Dove got extensive playing time against Houston Baptist as the true freshman rushed for his first career touchdown [a seven-yard score in the third quarter] and literally ran over defenders in his way to a career-best 59 yards on a career-high 10 carries. Another true freshman, Quadraiz Wadley, saw more playing time as well, as he rushed for 35 yards on a career-most 11 attempts. Wadley came up a yard short of tying his career high. On the season, Dove has rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries [5.7 avg.], while Wadley ranks second on the team with 141 yards rushing.
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 62 yards on 11 attempts [5.6 avg.] and has 124 yards on five receptions [24.8 avg.]. Dawn has also returned nine kickoffs for 148 yards [16.4 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].
MR. METZ
Ryan Metz tied his career best with a three-touchdown performance against Houston Baptist. Metz found Cole Freytag for an 18-yard score and hooked up with Hayden Plinke on a pair of connections – the first being a nine-yard score and the second an 11-yard end zone trip. Metz is ranked seventh in Conference USA with his 141.5 passing efficiency. Metz surpassed his seven touchdown throws in 2015 with eight passing scores in 2016. Metz has thrown for 917 yards on 86-of-131 passing. Metz's 65.6 passing percentage ranks third in C-USA. WKU's Mike White [69.0 percent] and LA Tech's Ryan Higgins [67.7] rank one and two, respectively.
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 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.
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 –Metz leads the way with eight passing scores, Zach Greenlee has 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 a career-high two touchdown receptions, while the senior tight end led the Miners with seven receptions for 77 yards against Houston Baptist. Plinke's six touchdowns this season are the most for a UTEP tight end in the modern era. Plinke leads the Miners in touchdown receptions and receptions [29] and ranks second in yards [317]. 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. Plinke ranks second on the team with 38 points, as he added a two-point conversion at UTSA. Plinke earned a John Mackey Tight End of the Week honorable mention on Oct. 25 following his performance against the Roadrunners.
PLINKE'S C-USA NOTES
Hayden Plinke's six touchdown receptions are the most by a Conference USA tight end [fourth most nationally] in 2016. His scores also rank tied for no. 7 in the conference. Plinke's 29 receptions rank second behind FIU's Jonnu Smith [39 receptions] among C-USA tight ends. Plinke's 317 yards are second-most by a C-USA tight end. Smith has recorded 441 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 followed with an 18-yard score against Houston Baptist. Freytag currently ranks second on the team in receptions [25] and touchdown catches [four], while he leads the team in receiving yards [396] and yards per game [44.0]. Freytag ranks 20th in Conference USA in yards per game and yards, while ranking tied for 27th in receptions. Freytag's yards per reception [15.8] rank no. 9.
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 third consecutive start against Houston Baptist. Sinegal caught four passes for 53 yards against HBU. 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 [24] and yards [285]. Sinegal has tallied 395 all-purpose yards [43.9 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.
PROTECTING THE FIELD GENERAL
The Miners' offensive line has yielded 17 sacks in 2016. After giving up five at Texas on Sept. 10, the Miners have allowed 11 sacks the past seven games. On the season, UTEP ranks sixth in C-USA in sacks against [17]. Over the last three campaigns, UTEP has given up 42 sacks in 34 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 69 times in 46 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 fourth consecutive start in a UTEP uniform at the center position against Houston Baptist, while Darren Gatewood also made his fourth straight start at the right guard position against HBU 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 34th game in 34 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 for the second straight game against HBU. 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. Daniels got the nod at left tackle against HBU.
Less Penalties
After committing a season-high 13 penalties at UTSA, UTEP committed two penalties against Old Dominion and followed with a season-low one penalty against Houston Baptist. It marked the first time the Miners had one penalty in a game since Tulsa in 2013. It was the first time since the 2012 season [Nov. 17 at Southern Miss & Nov. 24 vs. Rice] in which UTEP committed two or less penalties in back-to-back contests. The Miners rank first in Conference USA in least penalty yards [404] and third in total penalties [52], while ranking second in penalty yards per game [44.9] and fourth in penalties per game [5.8].
First Down Miners
UTEP tallied 27 first downs against Houston Baptist. 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 21.8 first downs the last five games [109 total first downs]. UTEP ranks last in Conference USA in total first downs [167] and first downs per game [18.6].
RUSHING ATTACK
UTEP rushed for a season-high 323 yards against Houston Baptist. It's the sixth time during the Sean Kugler era in which the Miners have rushed for over 300 yards in a single game. UTEP's 351-yard output against North Texas in 2014 is the most during Kugler's time at the helm.
500 YARDS
UTEP registered 514 yards of total offense, the second most in 2016, against Houston Baptist. The Miners opened the 2016 campaign with a 518-yard performance against NM State. It was also the third time during the Sean Kugler era in which his squad went over the 500-yard mark. UTEP gained 546 yards at NM State in 2013 and another 542 at NM State in 2015.
OPENING SCORE
UTEP opened the contest against Houston Baptist with a four-play, 77-yard scoring drive that resulted in an Aaron Jones 39-yard rushing touchdown. It was the first time in 2016 that the Miners opened a contest with a scoring drive. UTEP opened with a touchdown at Old Dominion last season.
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 fifth on the team in tackles [41] and has broken up three passes. Smith, during his career, has picked off five passes.
LOVE FOR LOVILETTE
Dante Lovilette has been a key contributor on defense, as the junior transfer has started all nine games in 2016 at the BUCK LB position. Lovilette tallied eight more tackles and a .5 tackle for loss against Houston Baptist. Lovilette leads the team with 68 tackles, while ranking tied for no. 12 in Conference USA. Lovilette has also recorded 6.5 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 44 tackles. Cockrell has contributed 3.0 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery in 2016.
USHER THE CRUSHER
Nick Usher tallied six tackles against Houston Baptist, while adding .5 sack. Usher ranks second on the defense with 63 tackles in 2016, while ranking tied for 20th in Conference USA in tackles per game [7.0]. Usher leads the UTEP defense in sacks [4.5] and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss [6.5], while in C-USA, Usher ranks tied for fifth in sacks. Usher has 11.0 sacks during his career, needing 2.0 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 57 tackles after producing five against Houston Baptist. Jones ranks tied for 28th in Conference USA in tackles. Jones is averaging 8.1 tackles per contest, ranking ninth in C-USA. Jones has also tallied 3.5 tackles for loss, giving the junior 26.5 in his career. He needs 4.0 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 seven games at the SAM linebacker position. He ranks eighth on the UTEP defense with 32 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 fourth in Conference USA with eight pass breakups, while ranking tied for 36th nationally. Indiana's Rashard Fant leads the nation with 15 pass breakups, while Marshall's Rodney Allen leads C-USA with 11. 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 13th in Conference USA with six pass breakups, while ranking tied for 13th 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.
PASS DEFENSE RANKS HIGH
The UTEP pass defense ranks no. 2 in Conference USA and 33rd nationally, allowing 203.6 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. 4 in the nation with its 363.7 yards passing per game.
THE BREAKUP
UTEP registered three pass breakups against Houston Baptist. 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. 7 in Conference USA and tied for no. 37 nationally with 36 pass breakups. Middle Tennessee [48] and WKU [45] lead the way in C-USA. Nationally, Auburn leads the pack with 53 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 11.8 yards per punt return [200 yards on 17 returns], after tallying 49 yards on five returns. Juniel's longest was a return of 43 yards in the season opener and against Houston Baptist. Juniel leads Conference USA in punt return yards and ranks second in return average. 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 43rd nationally in punting average [42.1]. 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 4,947 career punting yards, and needs six to crack the program's all-time list.
JUST KICKIN' IT
Jay Mattox connected on six PATs against Houston Baptist, tying his career best. Mattox now has 234 points in his career. Mattox ranks no. 2 on the all-time points list [kickers]. Mattox has kicked 123 PATs and is 14 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 Florida Atlantic 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 Florida Atlantic 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 play its final road game of 2016 at Rice on Oct. 19 in Houston. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT/10 MT as the contest will be televised on ESPN3. The Miners clipped the Owls 24-21 last season in El Paso. UTEP last won at Rice in 2005 by a score of 38-31.
