UTEP Miners

UTEP Notes | Conference Notes | MT Notes

UTEP TO FACE MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN MURFREESBORO
UTEP will take on Middle Tennessee for the third time in school history, while making only its second trip to Murfreesboro on Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 CT at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium. The Miners (0-8, 0-4 Conference USA) are coming off a 31-14 loss against UTSA.  The Blue Raiders (3-5, 1-3 C-USA) were idle last week, but lost 38-10 to Marshall in their last action on Oct. 20 in Murfreesboro. UTEP last played in Murfreesboro during the 2013 season finale, while the two programs last met in 2014 in the Sun Bowl.  

SERIES HISTORY
The teams have split two previous matchups. The Miners lost at Middle Tennessee, 48-17 in the 2013 season finale but topped the Blue Raiders, 24-21, at the Sun Bowl on Nov. 29, 2014 to clinch their first winning season in nine years.

THE LAST MEETING
Jameill Showers gave the Miners a 24-21 lead on a five-yard touchdown run with 6:19 remaining, and the defense snuffed out a late scoring opportunity by Middle Tennessee as UTEP won in the 2014 regular season finale in the Sun Bowl. UTEP improved to 7-5 and, about a week later, learned that it was bound for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Trailing by three, Middle Tennessee had second and goal from UTEP's seven-yard line with a little over a minute to play. Blue Raider quarterback Austin Grammer rolled out to pass, but his potential game-winning throw was tipped and intercepted on a spectacular play by the Miners' Jameel Erving. Middle Tennessee had another last-ditch chance to win in the final seconds, but Wesley Miller intercepted Grammer's Hail Mary attempt as time ran out. Miller led the defense with 11 tackles. In a game that featured five lead changes, UTEP went ahead for good midway through the fourth quarter with a nine play, 75-yard drive. The Miners tallied 69 rushing yards on the drive; the other six came on an unsportsmanlike penalty against Middle Tennessee. UTEP ran 48 times for 250 yards (5.2 avg.), while Middle Tennessee amassed 259 yards on 44 carries (5.9 avg.). Aaron Jones led the way with 147 yards rushing. Grammer paced the Blue Raiders with 106 yards on the ground, and Shane Tucker chipped in with 101.

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE
The Blue Raiders are coming off their bye week, but fell to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in Conference USA action after a 38-10 loss to Marshall in Murfreesboro on Oct. 20. After falling behind 21-3 to the Thundering Herd, Middle Tennessee got within 11 points when sophomore QB John Urzua hooked up with junior WR Richie James on a nine-yard touchdown toss in the middle of the second quarter. But Marshall scored 17 unanswered points behind a pair of one-yard rushing scores and a 25-yard field goal. Middle Tennessee has lost consecutive contests as it fell at UAB, 25-23, on Oct. 14. The Blue Raiders' lone C-USA victory came against FIU – a 37-17 triumph on Oct. 7. Middle Tennessee came up with a big win over ACC program Syracuse – a 30-23 triumph in the Carrier Dome on Sept. 9. MT is averaging 19.1 points per game, while giving up 27.0 per contest. It is averaging 361 yards of total offense and yielding 355.9 yards on defense. MT quarterbacks have combined for 11 touchdown passes, led by Urzua's seven scores. Urzua leads the team with 1,522 yards on 136-of-220 passing (61.8 percent) and nine picks in six games played. Sophomore WR Ty Lee leads the way in receiving yards (531) and receptions (43), while hauling in three scores. James (31 rec., 290 yards) and freshman RB Brad Anderson (29 rec., 321 yards) also have tallied a trio of receiving scores apiece. Anderson leads the team with 418 rushing yards on 74 attempts (5.6 avg.), while junior LB Tavares Thomas – who has received multiple rushing attempts – leads the way with three rushing scores. Junior DB Jovante Moffatt leads the defense with 63 tackles (7.9 per game), while sophomore LB Khalil Brooks leads the team with 5.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss. Freshman S Reed Blankenship, Senior Mike Minter Jr. (team-leading seven pass breakups) and freshman DT Jordan Ferguson have each intercepted a pass. The Blue Raiders have recorded 15 sacks, two blocked kicks and a safety.

LAST GAME
Jalen Rhodes rushed for two touchdowns, and Devron Davis had a crucial interception for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter as UTSA beat UTEP, 31-14, on Oct. 28 in the Sun Bowl. For the fifth time in as many games in the series, the visiting team was victorious. The Miners fell behind 17-0 midway through the second period, but rallied with back-to-back touchdowns to make it a three-point game at halftime. Zack Greenlee finished off a seven-play, 70-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Then the Miners capitalized on an interception by Roadrunner quarterback Dalton Sturm, as El Paso native Joshua Fields scored his first college touchdown on a five-yard scamper to cap a 40-yard drive. Justin Rogers picked off the pass, tying him for team-high honors with two interceptions this season. The 17-14 score held up until late in the third quarter, when Rhodes punched it into the end zone from one yard out to put the Roadrunners up by 10. The Miners fought gamely but wouldn't score again, and Davis dealt the crippling blow by picking off Greenlee on a third-and-five deep in UTEP territory early in the fourth quarter before running 22 yards to the end zone. Rhodes ran 14 times for 66 yards, but he was UTSA's third-leading rusher as Tyrell Clay gained 71 yards and Sturm added 67. The Roadrunners ended the night with 393 yards of offense, including 205 rushing. Sturm completed 18-of-30 passes for 188 yards. Greenlee was 8-of-29 passing for 133 yards for the Miners, who were held to 243 yards by Conference USA's top defensive unit. Erik Brown snared three catches for 52 yards, and Tyler Batson had two catches for 45 yards. UTEP's all-time leading rusher, native El Pasoan and Green Bay Packers rookie standout Aaron Jones returned to the Sun Bowl on Saturday night. And his message to the fans, and the team, early in the second quarter appeared to give the Miners the offensive jolt that they needed to get back in the game before stalling in the second half. Kalon Beverly, Alvin Jones and Nik Needham tied for game-high honors with nine tackles apiece for UTEP.

JOSHUA TAKES THE FIELD
True freshman RB Joshua Fields gave the hometown fans a glimpse of his running abilities against UTSA. The El Paso native and Americas High School graduate set career highs in rushing attempts (12), rushing yards (44) and long rush (17 yards), while scoring his first career touchdown on a five-yard plunge in the second quarter. Fields has rushed for 66 yards and has caught four passes for 22 yards.

MULTIPLE RUSH TD'S
UTEP rushed for a pair of touchdowns against UTSA on Oct. 28 – a Zack Greenlee six-yard dash and a Joshua Fields five-yard score. It's the first time in 2017 that UTEP rushed for at least two scores in a single game. It's also the first time since Nov. 5, 2016 in which multiple Miners found the end zone with their feet – Aaron Jones and Kevin Dove each rushed for a touchdown against Houston Baptist.

QB RUSHING SCORES
All three UTEP quarterbacks have rushed for at least one touchdown in 2017. Junior Ryan Metz has scored two – a one-yard score against Rice and a five-yard dash at NM State. Freshman Mark Torrez found the end zone on a six-yard rush against Arizona and senior Zack Greenlee, most recently, ran for a six-yard score against UTSA, while his first came against WKU on Oct. 7. It's the first time since at least 1990 that three UTEP quarterbacks have found the end zone with their legs during a single season.

DOVE RUNNING HARD
Sophomore RB Kevin Dove uses his 6-foot, 245-pound frame to bulldoze over defenders. He led the Miners with 46 yards on nine carries (5.1 avg.) against UTSA on Oct. 28. Previously, Dove rushed for a career-high 69 yards on a career-most 15 attempts against WKU on Oct. 7. Dove got stronger as the game went on as he rambled for a career-long 23-yard rush in the fourth quarter against the Hilltoppers. Dove's previous high was a 59-yard effort on 10 carries against Houston Baptist in 2016. In 2017, Dove has rushed for 196 yards on 53 carries. Dove also has a team-best 13 first downs gained.

WADLEY'S WAY
Sophomore RB Quardraiz Wadley, who made his 2017 debut at NM State on Sept. 23, will make his way back to the gridiron after missing a few games due to injury. Wadley had missed the first three contests of the season due to injury, but has made his mark when he has played. Wadley rushed for 77 yards against the Aggies, while following with a career-high 156 yards at Army and scoring his first career touchdown on Sept. 30. Wadley leads the Miners with 271 yards on 54 attempts (5.0 avg.).

BROWN DELIVERS
Junior transfer WR Erik Brown, who just recently joined the program, established career highs in receptions (three), receiving yards (52) and long catch (38 yards) against UTSA on Oct. 28. Brown made his first start against WKU on Oct. 7. Brown delivered with a pair of receptions for 32 yards. The first was an eight-yard catch for a first down on a third-and-4 in the third quarter. The second was a 24-yard reception during the fourth quarter. Brown, in his second start, posted 34 yards on a pair of catches at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Brown has caught seven passes for 118 yards (16.9 avg.) in five games played.

SCORING MULTIPLE WAYS
Junior WR Kavika Johnson recorded his first career touchdown catch against WKU on Oct. 7 as he now joins a rare club of Miners who have scored a touchdown rushing, receiving and throwing. Johnson has thrown for four scores and has rushed for one (2015 at North Texas) during his career. Johnson joins Aaron Jones, Lorne Sam, Marcus Thomas and Omar Duarte as Miners who have accounted for a touchdown three ways since the 1998 season.

KAVIKA'S CAREER NIGHT VS. RICE
Kavika Johnson produced career-highs in receptions (six), receiving yards (67) and long reception (40 yards) against Rice on Sept. 9. His previous highs were three receptions for 32 yards and a long of 27 yards at Rice on Nov. 11, 2016. Johnson ranks fourth on the team with 11 receptions for 124 yards (fourth-most on team) and a touchdown.

BATSON RETURNS
Senior WR Tyler Batson registered a season-high 80 yards on a career-best five receptions at Army on Sept. 30. In fact, Batson's 80 yards were the second-most in his career for a single game. Batson's career high was a 143-yard output against Florida Atlantic in 2015. After registering two catches for 45 yards, including a season-long 36-yard grab versus UTSA, Batson is ranked second on the team in receptions (16) and leads the team in receiving yards (214), while scoring a touchdown against Arizona on Sept. 15 – his first since 2015.

LUCERO LOOKOUT
Junior TE David Lucero matched his season high with a trio of receptions (14 yards) against WKU on Oct. 7. Lucero caught three passes for a season-high 31 yards against Rice, while recording his first career touchdown with three receptions (15 yards) at Army on Sept. 30. Lucero currently leads the Miners in receptions (17) for 129 yards.

TROJAN LINEMEN
The UTEP offensive line has been an anchor the last few seasons, limiting its sacks given up. The line got off to a slow start in 2017, yielding 12 sacks the first five games. Since then the protection has stepped up, as the UTEP offensive line has given up only two sacks the last three contests. The Miners allowed zero against WKU (Oct. 7) and against UTSA (Oct. 28). The Miners rank sixth in Conference USA in sacks given up (14), while ranking fifth in sacks given up per game (1.75).

NO SACK ATTACK
UTEP ranked among the Conference USA leaders in sacks allowed from 2013-16, and the Miners rank sixth in sacks given up (14) and sacks allowed per game (1.75) this year. In 2016, UTEP ranked fourth in sacks allowed per game (1.83), and ranked no. 1 in 2015 (1.00 sacks allowed per game) and 2014 (1.00).

MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN STATUS
Senior OL Will Hernandez was named to the AP Midseason All-America team, chosen by a panel of 16 Top-25 poll voters, on Oct. 17. The guard garnered second team honors through seven games and has racked up 45 starts in four seasons for the Miners. Hernandez is not new to the spotlight, having earned 2017 AP Preseason All-America second team recognition. Last season, the Las Vegas native was the first Miner offensive lineman to receive AP All-American second team and FOX Sports All-American honors. The senior was also the first UTEP offensive lineman since 2009 to earn All-Conference USA first team recognition. Hernandez's national recognition didn't stop there, as he garnered Pro Football Focus Pass Protector of the Year. Hernandez is the only Conference USA student-athlete to earn recognition.

WILL'S PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Will Hernandez was selected to the 2017 AP All-America second team on Aug. 22 as the senior racked up multiple preseason honors. Hernandez was announced to the 2017 Outland Trophy Watch List and earned a spot on the 2017 Preseason Conference USA team. Multiple football publications, including Dave Campbell's Texas Football, Phil Steele's College Football Preview and Athlon Sports had Hernandez on their preseason teams.

THE CENTURY MARK
Senior LB Alvin Jones racked up nine more tackles against UTSA, bringing his season total to 70 and with four games left, Jones has the opportunity to hit the 100-tackle mark. The last Miner to post 100+ tackles was Josh Fely in 2012 with 112 stops. From 1986 till 2009, at least one UTEP defensive player registered 100 or more stops.

FORCING THE ISSUE
Heading into 2017, Alvin Jones had not recorded a forced fumble. The senior has forced a pair in the last two games. Jones forced a fumble against UTSA on Oct. 28 and his first career forced fumble came at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Jones ranks tied for third in Conference USA in forced fumbles.

LEADING TACKLER
Alvin Jones registered nine more tackles against UTSA on Oct. 28. Jones currently leads the team in tackles (70) and tackles per game (8.8). Jones ranks fifth in tackles per game (8.8) and fourth in total tackles (70) in Conference USA. Jones's 5.5 tackles for loss lead the team and rank tied for 18th in C-USA. Jones has led the Miners in tackles in each of the last two seasons, recording 93 stops during each campaign.

KEEPING UP WITH ALVIN'S CAREER
Alvin Jones has 311 career tackles, the second most at UTEP since the 2000 season behind Robert Rodriguez's 443 stops (2001-04), after tallying nine stops versus UTSA on Oct. 28. Jones has 12.5 career sacks, ranking tied for ninth with Menson Holloway on the program's top-10 list.  Jones's 35.0 career tackles for loss are the most since 2000 and rank third on the program's all-time list as Barron Wortham leads the all-time list with 45.0 tackles for loss and Gonzalo Floyd ranks second (41.0 TFL). Jones's 14.5 tackles for loss in 2015 rank tied for ninth on the single-season list, while his 5.0 tackles for loss at NM State on Sept. 19, 2015 were the most by a UTEP player since the 2000 season. Jones has led the Miners in tackles the past two seasons, tallying 93 stops in each campaign, while in 2014 Jones ranked second with 55 takedowns.

BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLES
Alvin Jones registered back-to-back games of double-digit tackles after reaching 12 against WKU on Oct. 7 and 10 more at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. It's his first back-to-back effort since racking up 16 at Rice on Nov. 19 and 12 tackles against North Texas to close out the 2016 season. Back in 2015, Jones recorded 11 stops three games in a row (vs. Rice, at Old Dominion, vs. LA Tech).

MORE DOUBLE-DIGIT STOPS
Alvin Jones has reached double digits in tackles 12 times during his career after his 10-tackle output on Oct. 14 at Southern Miss. Jones's first double-digit performance came against UTSA on Oct. 3, 2015 with a 10-tackle outing. Jones racked up 11 tackles in four other contests in 2015 (at NM State; vs. Rice; at Old Dominion; vs. LA Tech). In 2016, Jones registered double-digit tackles, including his career high of 16 stops, in four contests (12 vs. NM State; 16 vs. FIU; 16 at Rice; 12 vs. North Texas). Jones registered a season-high 15 tackles against Arizona on Sept. 15, his first double-digit effort in 2017 and 12 stops against WKU on Oct. 7.

300-TACKLE CLUB
Alvin Jones is the 14th player to tally over 300 tackles in a career at UTEP after being credited with 10 stops at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Jones joins Barron Wortham, the all-time leader with 566 tackles, Doug Morgan (523), Tony Perea (459), Raymond Morris (458), Robert Rodriguez (443), Michael Comer (437), Fred Carr (410), Hal Barnett (407) Pete Shufelt (385 tackles), Fred Williams (375), Dale Kirry (335), Seth Joyner (325) and Brian Young (322).

ALVIN THE BALL HAWK
Alvin Jones amassed 15 tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss against Arizona on Sept. 15, the second-most stops in his career. Jones' career high is 16 tackles twice. The first came against FIU on Oct. 8, 2016 in the Sun Bowl, and Jones followed with another 16-tackle performance at Rice on Nov. 19, 2016.

LOVE FOR LOVILOTTE
Since transferring to UTEP, senior LB Dante Lovilotte has produced tackles for the Miners. Lovilotte ranked second on the team in tackles (89) last season and currently ranks tied for second in 2017 with 45 stops after registering a pair versus UTSA on Oct. 28. Lovilotte recorded six tackles at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Lovilotte also registered his first full sack at no. 7 Oklahoma to open the season. Lovilotte tied his career best with a season-high 11 tackles against Rice on Sept. 9. At NM State, Lovilotte registered a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup.

ACTION JACKSON
Graduate student LB Julian Jackson tallied a career-high eight tackles against WKU on Oct. 7. Jackson's eight stops against the Hilltoppers is also tied for his college career high. Jackson, a transfer from Wake Forest, recorded seven tackles in each of his first three games in a UTEP uniform. Jackson added another seven-tackle effort against UTSA on Oct. 28. Jackson's 45 total tackles rank tied for second on the UTEP defense. Jackson also recorded his first pass breakup against Arizona and recorded half a tackle for loss at no. 7 OU.

TREYVON MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT TO LB
In only his second game at the LB position, sophomore Treyvon Hughes tied for the team lead with a career-high 11 tackles against Rice on Sept. 9. Hughes registered three stops in his defensive debut at no. 7 Oklahoma in week one. Hughes made his first career start on either side of the ball at Army on Sept. 30. Hughes responded with eight tackles to tie for the team lead against the Black Knights. Hughes came to UTEP as a running back and missed last season due to injury. He was switched to linebacker prior to the Annual Spring Game this past year. Hughes has 33 tackles on the season, ranking eighth on the team.

SKY'S RECOVERY
Senior DL Sky Logan recovered a fumble against UTSA on Oct. 28. It was his second of 2017 after recovering one at Southern Miss on Oct. 14, and his third career recovery as he tallied his first one at Rice on Nov. 19, 2016. Logan leads the team in fumble recoveries and ranks first in Conference USA and ninth nationally in that department.

BEVERLY'S BREAKUPS
Junior DB Kalon Beverly recorded a career-high three pass breakups against UTSA on Oct. 28. It surpasses his previous high of two, which was done last season at UTSA. Beverly has registered six pass breakups to rank second on the team and tied for sixth in Conference USA. He's also chipped in with 38 tackles.

CHASING ROADRUNNERS
Against UTSA on Oct. 28, Nik Needham and Kalon Beverly each registered nine tackles to tie their career highs. Both established their career highs against the Roadrunners at some point during their respective careers, as Needham recorded nine tackles at UTSA last year, and Beverly racked up nine stops against UTSA in 2015.

IN THE NIK OF TIME
Junior DB Nik Needham registered a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Needham chipped in with four tackles and recorded his seventh pass breakup of the season. Needham has tallied 39 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss (seven yards), a sack (three yards) and a fumble recovery. Needham ranks second on the team in tackles for loss.

HIGH 5
Nik Needham turned in a record-breaking performance against WKU on Oct.7 with a career-high five pass breakups against the Hilltoppers. Needham's performance is tied for most all-time at UTEP with Wesley Miller, who recorded five pass breakups at Rice on Oct. 26, 2013.

NEEDHAM'S CAREER BREAKUPS
Nik Needham, after registering a career-high five pass breakups versus WKU and another at Southern Miss, now has seven in 2017, ranking tied for fourth in Conference USA behind WKU's DeAndre Farris (10) and tied for 40th nationally. Needham's 23 career breakups now rank tied for seventh on the program's all-time list with Darius Ellison and Weldon Cooks. Jahmal Fenner leads the all-time list with 25 in his career, while five other Miners have tallied 24 during their respective careers.

MR. ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD
Sophomore DB Justin Rogers intercepted his second pass of the season against UTSA on Oct. 28. It was Rogers' third career interception and second in the Sun Bowl. He picked off a pass against FIU last season in the Sun City. Rogers is tied for the team lead with two INTs in 2017. He's also chipped in with 22 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

JUSTIN-TIME ROGERS
For the second year in a row, sophomore DB Justin Rogers intercepted the first pass of the season for the UTEP defense. Rogers picked off a pass at NM State in the first quarter on Sept. 23. It was Rogers' second career pick. Rogers' first interception came against FIU in the Sun Bowl last season, which was also the first for the Miners' defense in 2016. Rogers tied his career best with five tackles (four solo) and half a tackle for loss against the Aggies. Rogers has recorded 21 stops with half a tackle for loss and a pair of pass breakups (three passes defended).   

SCOOP-AND-SCORE MASCORRO & PICK-SIX SMITH
Junior transfer DB Kahani Smith took a tipped pass and returned it 52 yards for a score at Army on Sept. 30. It was the second defensive touchdown for UTEP in 2017 and the first pick-six by a Miner since Kalon Beverly versus Incarnate Word in 2015. Freshman DL Trace Mascorro scored a touchdown at NM State on Sept. 23. It was Mascorro's first career scoop-and-score on a 26-yard return, and first touchdown for the UTEP defense in 2017.

BACK-2-BACK GAMES WITH A DEFENSIVE TD
In back-to-back weeks, the UTEP defense scored a touchdown. The first came from Trace Mascorro at NM State on Sept. 23 on a scoop-and-score for 26 yards. Kahani Smith followed with a pick-six at Army on Sept. 30. The last time the Miners went back-to-back games with a defensive score was in 2014 – a Jimmy Musgrave 19-yard pick-six at UTSA on Oct. 25, and two scores against Southern Miss on Nov. 1 in El Paso when Trey Brown went 51 yards on an interception and a Nick Gathrite 59-yard fumble return. Prior to 2014, the 2008 season was the last time the Miners scored defensive touchdowns in consecutive games. Anthony Morrow took an interception 27 yards to the end zone and Robert Soleyjacks returned a fumble 24 yards for a score against NM State (9/20/08). The next week, Josh Ferguson scored on a 45-yard fumble return and Dane O'Neil recovered a fumble in the end zone against UCF (9/27/08).

DC'S IMPACT
Senior DB Devin Cockrell recorded his first interception at Southern Miss in the first quarter on Oct. 14. It was his first of 2017 and first since picking off a pass at Rice on Nov. 24, 2014. Cockrell has three interceptions in his career as his first pick came at Middle Tennessee in the 2013 season finale.

MORE ON COCKRELL
Devin Cockrell missed all of 2015 due to a season-ending injury. Since his return to the gridiron, Cockrell led all UTEP defensive back in tackles (58) in 2016, while chipping in with 3.0 tackles for loss, a breakup, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery. In 2017, Cockrell is again leading the defensive backs in tackles (41), while ranking fourth overall on the team. Cockrell has also registered 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a pair of breakups, two hurries and an interception.  

THE VERY BEST
The UTEP kickoff return defense has been solid as it ranks no. 1 in Conference USA and no. 3 in the nation at 14.5 yards per return.

TERRY'S SPECIAL EFFORT
Junior WR/KR Terry Juniel resumed returning kickoffs after an injury to Keynan Foster and responded with a career-long 59-yard return at Southern Miss on Oct. 14, a 41-yard dash against UTSA and career highs in kickoff return yards (105) and returns (six) at Army (Sept. 30). Juniel's previous highs were four returns for 76 yards at no. 11 Texas in 2016, and a 35-yard return at Army. After returning a pair for 75 yards (37.5 avg.) at Southern Miss, Juniel is averaging 24.5 yards on 13 returns (319 yards) in 2017. Juniel averaged just over 18 yards per return last season. Juniel ranks fourth in Conference USA in kickoff return average. Juniel has also contributed on offense, with 14 receptions (third most on team) for 164 yards.

VILES' FIRST KICK WAS A LONG ONE
Brady Viles' first field goal was a 53-yarder. It's the longest first made field goal by a Miner since at least 1960. Viles is one of three Miners to hit a 50-plus yard field goal on their first try since 1960. Bronko Belichesky's first career field attempt was a made 52-yarder against Pacific on Sept. 15, 1973. Jose Martinez connected on a 51-yarder on Sept. 1, 2007 against New Mexico. Viles' field goal was the longest for the Miners since Dakota Warren connected on a 57-yard kick against NM State on Sept. 18, 2010. Viles played his first year of college football at Arizona Western College, where he connected on 3-of-3 PATs and was used primarily as a kickoff specialist last season.

FILLEY'S FOOT
Junior walk-on K/P Jason Filley attempted a pair of PAT's against UTSA and made both for his first career points.

DAS BOOT
El Paso native Alan Luna punted seven times for 295 yards (42.1) with a pair of kicks inside the 20-yard line against UTSA on Oct. 28. Luna opened 2017 with eight punts for 352 yards for an average of 44.0 yards at Oklahoma. The senior punter placed three inside the 20-yard line against the Sooners to tie his career high. Luna also placed three inside the 20 at LA Tech on Oct. 1, 2016. Luna's 43.4-yard average ranks 34th in the FBS and third in Conference USA. Luna is ranked second in total punts (54) and in punt yards (2,344) in C-USA. Nationally, Luna ranks eighth in total punts and sixth in punt yards.

LUNA CAREER NOTES
Senior Alan Luna is fourth on the program's all-time list in career punt yards (7,771) and ranks fifth in career punts (181). Steve Folkner ranks no. 4 in career punts (186), while the overall leader is Jerry Walker (298). Lance Brownlee ranks no. 3 in career yards (8,295), while the overall leader is Walker (12,193). Luna's career high for yards is 376 at Texas (Sept. 10, 2016). His longest is a 69-yard boot, while his career-best average is 51.0 yards on six punts (306) against Southern Miss (Sept. 24, 2016). In week two against Rice this season, Luna registered a 63-yard boot, the second-longest of his career, while his third-longest went 61 yards at Old Dominion in 2015.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH PRICE
UTEP Interim Head Coach Mike Price made his 2017 debut against WKU in the 86th Homecoming Game. Price has 48 wins with the Miners, the second most in program history behind Mack Saxon (66 wins). Price led UTEP to back-to-back eigtht-win seasons (2004 & 2005) and a trio of bowl appearances (2004 Ev1.net Houston Bowl, 2005 GMAC Bowl & 2010 New Mexico Bowl). Price is the fifth-winningest active FBS coach with 177 wins. Notre Dame's Brian Kelly (237 wins) leads the way, while Alabama's Nick Saban (213), Kansas State's Bill Snyder (206) and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson (181) round out the list.

LOCAL FLAVOR
The 2017 roster features 30 players from the El Pas0/Las Cruces area -- DB Deaumonjae Banks (Chapin), LB Chris Barnwell (Eastlake), WR Brannon Bullitt (Chapin), OL Bobby DeHaro (Montwood), OL Derek Elmendorff (Franklin), RB Joshua Fields (Americas), K/P Jason Filley (Coronado), LB Sergio Gonzalez (El Dorado), FB David Jackson (Parkland), DL Christian Johnson (Parkland), WR Kavika Johnson (Mayfield [Las Cruces]), LB Alvin Jones (Burges), OL Greg Long (Eastwood), LB Erick Lopez (Canutillo), OL Markos Lujan (Americas), P/K Alan Luna (Franklin), OL Rey Mendez (Socorro), QB Ryan Metz (Andress), FB Forest McKee (Onate [Las Cruces]), RB Jonathon Millan (Coronado), WR Brandon Moss (Chapin), DL Josh Ortega (Montwood), DB Elijah Perales (Chapin), OL Jaime Perales (Cathedral), WR Warren Redix (Montwood), TE Jorge Rodriguez (Montwood), WR Richie Rodriguez (Eastwood), WR Eddie Sinegal (Andress), QB Keith Tarango-Lopez (Eastlake) and QB Mark Torrez (Eastwood).

SUN CITY SENSATIONS
Eleven players from El Paso grace the two-deep heading into the UTSA game. RG Derek Elmendorff, TB Joshua Fields, K/P Jason Filley, FB David Jackson, MIKE Alvin Jones, RG Markos Lujan, K/P Alan Luna, QB Ryan Metz, NT Josh Ortega, WR (X)/KR/PR Warren Redix, and QB Mark Torrez are listed on the two-deep chart. Of the 11, four of the players (Elmendorff, Jones and Luna) are listed no. 1 at their respective positions.

GRADUATE STUDENT-ATHLETES
The UTEP football program has eight student-athletes with degrees for the 2017 season. QB Zack Greenlee, LB Julian Jackson, DL Sky Logan, DB Jesse Montgomery, WR Brandon Moss, TE Sterling Napier, WR Nesley Ovincy and OL Logan Tuley-Tillman are pursuing their Masters of Arts in Leadership Studies. Northwestern has 18 student-athletes with degrees, while Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina and East Carolina each have 14. Toledo has 13; TCU, Alabama, Oregon and Virginia each have 12; Georgia State, Kansas State, Maryland, UCF and USF each have 11; Kent State, Nevada, New Mexico, South Alabama, Texas Tech and West Virginia each have 10; Houston, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers and Temple each have nine; and joining UTEP with eight student-athletes are Auburn, Clemson, Iowa, Kentucky, NC State, Northern Illinois, Ole Miss, Penn State, SMU Syracuse, UAB and WKU.

SEASON NO. 100 FOR UTEP FOOTBALL
The 2017 campaign marks the 100th for UTEP football. In honor of their centennial campaign, the Miners are wearing a commemorative decal on their helmets. There will also be centennial tributes in the game program, on the video board and social media over the course of the season. Though the centennial for The University of Texas at El Paso was in 2014, the football program suspended play for four seasons due to the World Wars. No games were played in 1918 (WWI) and 1943-45 (WWII). The 1914 season marked the first for the Miners. The Miners played their first ever game on Oct. 24, 1914 – a 7-6 victory against the YMCA.

UP NEXT
The Miners will make their second consecutive road trip, this time at North Texas on Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MT/4 CT in Apogee Stadium. UTEP last played in Denton during the season finale in 2015, in which the Orange and Blue prevailed 20-17 despite five turnovers. The two teams last met during the 2016 season finale in the Sun Bowl as the Miners whipped the Mean Green 52-24, behind Aaron Jones' 301 rushing yards and four scores.