For Starters
The 24th-ranked Miners (7-2, 5-1 WAC) will host SMU (3-7, 3-4
WAC) in a matinee at the Sun Bowl on Nov. 20. Kickoff is scheduled
for 3:05 p.m. MST. Prior to the contest, UTEP will have a send-off
for 21 seniors who will be making their final regular season
appearance at the Sun Bowl. UTEP has won six-straight games, its
longest streak since capturing a school-record seven consecutive
victories in 2000 en route to a Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl
appearance. The Miners have won seven of their last eight games
following a 41-9 setback in the season opener at Arizona State.
The Miners edged Rice, 35-28, in double overtime last Saturday at
the Sun Bowl. The win was the first in the month of November for the
Miners since they defeated Rice 38-21 on Nov. 11, 2000.
The Mustangs hold an 8-3 advantage in the series and are 4-2 when
playing in El Paso. UTEP snapped a 17-game road losing streak last
year with a 21-19 victory over SMU in Dallas.
Do You Believe?
UTEP has enjoyed a renaissance year under new head coach Mike
Price. The Miners are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for
the first time in school history (UTEP has been fielding a football
program since 1914). It is the first time UTEP has been listed in
any top 25 poll since being rated as high as 22nd in the USA
Today/CNN poll following an 8-1 start in 1988. In 1988, Bob Stull
was the Miners' head coach; he is currently UTEP's director of
athletics.
UTEP is 24th in this week's Associated Press poll. On Sunday, the
Miners cracked the ESPN/USA Today poll for the first time this season
(UTEP checked in at #25). UTEP is listed 24th in this week's Bowl
Championship Series (BCS) standings.
With seven wins, UTEP has topped its victory total for the
previous three seasons combined. The Miners registered two victories
in each of the last three years (2001-03). UTEP is also
bowl-eligible for the first time since 2000, when the Miners finished
8-4 and won a share of the Western Athletic Conference title. With
three WAC road wins, UTEP has tied the school record set in 1987 and
re-established in 2000.
On The Radio
UTEP's English flagship station is KROD 600 AM. The announcers
are Jon Teicher (play-by-play) and Bernie Ricono (color commentary).
Teicher is in his 24th season as "Voice of the Miners." Ricono was
the Miners' defensive coordinator from 1977-79. The pregame show
begins at 4 p.m. Mountain time. The game will also be carried on
KBUY 1360 AM in Ruidoso, N.M. A Spanish radio broadcast is available
on La Consentida 1150 AM. KINT-TV weekend sports anchor Omar Ropele
offers play-by-play, while former collegiate and high school coach
Rick Bolanos provides color commentary.
On Television
There is no television for Saturday's game.
Scouting The Mustangs
SMU comes to El Paso riding a two-game winning streak, following
a 41-35 overtime win against Tulsa and a 38-20 victory over Nevada.
The Mustangs are 0-5 on the road this season and have lost
11-consecutive road games. The last road victory for the Ponies came
at UTEP, 42-35, on Nov. 16, 2002.
The Mustangs have had a balanced attack, averaging 125.5 yards on
the ground and 206.2 yards in the air.
SMU ranks 117th of 117 Division I-A schools in turnover margin
(-1.90). The Mustangs are 116th in net punting (29.3 ypp), 112th in
total defense (461.2 ypg), 109th in scoring offense (17.5 ppg), 108th
in scoring defense (36.3 ppg), 107th in rushing defense (214.1 ypg),
105th in passing efficiency defense (143.5) and 103rd in passing
efficiency (107.2). UTEP is 35th in the country in punt returns
(11.6 avg.).
UTEP/SMU Ties
SMU WR Matt Rushbrook is a product of Andress HS in El Paso. SMU
LB Don Ieremia-Stansbury attended Irvin HS in El Paso. He is the
brother of former Miner letterwinner Hal Stansbury (1995-99).
UTEP OL Bo Morris and SMU WR Jay'Mond Cleveland each attended Lee
HS in Baytown, Texas.
Miners WR Aaron Givens and RB Johan Givens were teammates with SMU
DB Jonathan Lindley at Sulphur Springs HS in Sulphur Springs,
Texas.
Last Meeting
Howard Jackson rushed for 99 yards and UTEP ran for 234 as a team
as the Miners ended their 17-game road losing streak with a 21-19 win
at SMU on Oct. 4, 2003.
The Miners won their WAC opener for just the second time in 12
years.
It was UTEP's first road win since prevailing at Nevada, 45-22, on
Nov. 4, 2000.
Orlando Cruz completed eight of 16 passes for the Miners, who did
not commit a turnover for the first time since the final contest of
the 2001 season.
SMU scored on the first series of the game. Jonas Rutledge's
83-yard kickoff return prefaced Chris McMurtray's 33-yard field
goal, giving the Mustangs a 3-0 lead.
SMU went ahead 10-0 on a nine-yard run by Keylon Kincade early in
the second period.
UTEP got on the board courtesy of its defense midway through the
quarter. Victor Jones blocked Ryan Mentzel's punt and Mike Perez
returned it 31 yards for a score, cutting the Miners' deficit to
10-7.
Following an SMU safety, the Miners moved 78 yards on six plays to
take a 14-12 halftime lead. Cruz hit Chris Marrow for a 13-yard
touchdown with 3:42 remaining.
UTEP extended its lead to 21-12 on an 86-yard pass from Cruz to
Jackson with 12:33 left in the third quarter. It was tied for the
fifth-longest pass play in school history.
SMU closed the gap to 21-19 on a two-yard run by Kincade early in
the fourth period. A 43-yard punt return by Blake Warren set up the
score.
Last Game
Robert Rodriguez recovered a Rice fumble at the goal line in the
second overtime, preserving UTEP's 35-28 win over Rice on Nov. 13 at
the Sun Bowl.
The 23rd-ranked Miners extended their winning streak to six games
before 43,507 fans on a cold and wet evening in El Paso.
UTEP was triumphant despite being outgained in total yards
409-274. The Owls matched the heavily-favored Miners play for play
until Quintin Demps stripped the ball from Ed Bailey and Rodriguez
pounced on it to secure the victory.
Jordan Palmer's 25-yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. in the
second overtime proved to be the winning score for UTEP.
UTEP, coming off a bye week, was sluggish offensively in the first
half. The Miners led 7-3 at the break on a 56-yard punt return by
Jahmal Fenner. UTEP managed just 59 yards in the opening half.
Both teams, however, came alive in a second half that featured
four lead changes.
The Miners went ahead 21-17 on a one-yard run by Josh Chamois with
12:03 to go in the fourth quarter, and an interception by Adrian Ward
with 6:51 to play seemingly cemented the win.
But UTEP went three downs and out on its next series and Bryce
Benekos' punt was blocked by Terry Holley for a safety, pulling the
Owls to within 21-19.
With 17 seconds to go, the Miners were clinging to the two-point
lead and backed up at their own four-yard line. A bad snap went
through Benekos' legs out of bounds for another safety, knotting the
game at 21.
Rice drew first blood in overtime on a one-yard run by Bailey. On
third down, Palmer hit Casey Mauch for a three-yard touchdown to
force a second overtime.
Palmer completed 19 of 28 passes for 191 yards and three
touchdowns. He was 12 for 16 for 156 yards and three scores after
halftime.
Howard Jackson rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries, and Jayson Boyd
reeled in four catches for 61 yards.
Bailey ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns to pace Rice.
Saying Goodbye
Twenty-one seniors will be making their final regular-season
appearance at the Sun Bowl on Saturday against SMU. They are LB
Godwin Akinduro, P Bryce Benekos, TE Jonas Crafts, WR Dirk Dillard,
DB Mark Dowdy, QB Omar Duarte, DB Matt Elwood, OL Robert Espinosa, DB
Jahmal Fenner, DL Brian Givens, OL Ben Graniello, TE Justin Hunt, DL
Ibok Ibok, RB Howard Jackson, DB Victor Jones, OL Bo Morris, DL Aaron
Osborn, LB Mike Perez, LB Robert Rodriguez, RB Jimmy Smith and DB
Adrian Ward. Dowdy also played on the 2000 team which captured a
share of the WAC title and played in the Crucial.com Humanitarian
Bowl. Seven of the aforementioned seniors -- Dillard, Duarte,
Givens, Graniello, Ibok, Perez and Rodriguez -- are from the El Paso
area.
Winning In November
UTEP won its first game in the month of November since 2000 last
week against Rice. The Miners had lost 14-consecutive games in the
month of November since downing the Owls 38-21 on Nov. 11, 2000 in
the Sun Bowl. UTEP was winless in November in each of the last three
seasons (2001, 2002, 2003).
UTEP last won two games in November in 2000. The Miners have won
three or more games in the month of November 13 times (1922, 1925,
1929, 1930, 1933, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1954, 1956, 1962, 1965,
1970).
The school record for wins in November is four, set in 1937 and
1956.
Perfect In October
By defeating San Jose State 38-20 on Oct. 30, UTEP completed an
undefeated run in the month of October for the first time since 2000.
The Miners were 5-0 in October with victories over New Mexico State
(45-0), Fresno State (24-21), Hawaii (51-20), Louisiana Tech (44-27)
and San Jose State.
UTEP was downright dominant in October, outscoring opponents by a
combined tally of 202-88. The Miners averaged 40.4 points in October
while allowing an average of 17.6 points (+22.8 scoring margin).
During their October reign, the Miners registered three straight
wins by 15+ points for the first time since 1988, when they posted
successive lopsided victories over Hawaii (42-25), Colorado State
(34-14), New Mexico (37-0) and New Mexico State (42-9).
UTEP tied the school record for wins in the month of October
(five), achieved previously in 1932 and 1988.
The Miners were also unbeaten in October in 1919 (1-0), 1930
(4-0), 1936 (3-0-1), 1937 (2-0-2), 1948 (3-0-1), 1953 (4-0), 1955
(3-0-1), 1957 (3-0), 1960 (4-0), 1966 (4-0), 1967 (2-0-1) and 2000
(3-0).
Going To Overtime
UTEP played the second overtime game in the history of the
program on Nov. 13 against Rice. It was also the first-ever double
overtime game in program history. UTEP's only previous overtime game
came on Oct. 23, 1999, a 24-23 loss at Fresno State. Last week's
game was the first overtime affair for the Miners in the Sun
Bowl.
Looking At The Record Books
UTEP has several players who are making their move in the
school's record book.
Howard Jackson currently ranks 10th in the school's single-season
records with 918 rushing yards. His 159.1 all-purpose yards per game
rank fourth in school annals, and his 1,432 all-purpose yards rank
seventh.
Jordan Palmer ranks eighth with 150 completions and is just 161
yards away from becoming only the ninth Miner to pass for 2,000 yards
in a season. His current pass completion percentage of 59.3 (150 for
253) is the third-best total in school history. The school record is
held by Jay Stuckey (64.4 percent) in 1999. Palmer is also tied for
fifth with 17 touchdown passes.
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. is tied for ninth with seven touchdown
receptions.
Jahmal Fenner has racked up 292 yards on punt returns, which is
tied for fifth best in school history.
Reagan Schneider is tied for fifth with 13 field goals and fourth
with 36 extra points. He has the best single-season field goal
percentage at 92.9 (13 of 14) and is third in kicking points (75
points). His point total is ninth in overall scoring.
Bryce Benekos' 44.4 punting average is the fourth-best seasonal
average in school history.
Robert Rodriguez's four forced fumbles rank tied for third.
Strange Days
Over the last two games, UTEP has overcome severe statistical
disadvantages to win. Rice ran 37 more plays than the Miners and
outgained UTEP in yardage 409-274. The Owls also controlled the
clock for 37:27 to UTEP's 22:33. UTEP's 22:33 of possession time was
its lowest figure in a game since holding the ball for 22:08 against
Tulsa in 2002. It was UTEP's first victory when holding the ball for
under 23 minutes since 1988, when the Miners defeated Air Force 31-24
despite 22:15 of possession time. The Miners also defeated Mankato
State 37-3 that year with only 20:03 of possession time.
On Oct. 30, UTEP prevailed at San Jose State despite trailing the
first down (24 to 14) and possession (35:31 to 24:29) lines. The
opportunistic Miners have won four games this year when having fewer
first downs than their opponent (Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, San
Jose State, Rice). UTEP is 3-2 this season when foes have an
advantage in possession time.
Reconstruction Ahead Of Schedule
When Mike Price took over the reins of the UTEP football team on
Dec. 21, 2003, few doubted that he would be able to turn around a
struggling program. What has come as a surprise to many is how
quickly Price has transformed the Miners from pretenders to
contenders. With two games remaining on the schedule, UTEP has
already:
• Surpassed its win total (seven) from the previous three
seasons combined
• Clinched only its fourth winning season since 1971 (1987, 1988
and 2000 were the others)
• Recorded a six-game winning streak for only the fourth time in
school history (1949, 1954, 1988, 2000)
• Become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2000, and for
only the fourth time in 18 years
• Tied the school record for WAC road wins (3)
• Clinched a winning record in WAC play for only the fifth time
in 37 seasons.
• Earned a top 25 ranking by the Associated Press for the first
time in school history. The Miners are listed in a national top 25
poll for the first time since 1988, when UTEP was rated as high as
22nd in the country by USA Today/ CNN.
• Earned a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranking for the first
time in school annals. UTEP is 24th in this week's BCS
standings.
In The Polls
UTEP has met three teams which have been ranked in the top 25
this season -- Arizona State, Boise State and Fresno State -- and
posted a 1-2 record against those schools.
Boise State is currently 9-0 and 13th in the Associated Press Top
25 poll. Arizona State (8-2) is ranked 20th by the AP. Fresno State
was rated as high as 19th before falling to Louisiana Tech on Oct.
2.
The combined record of the two teams which have beaten UTEP this
season is 17-2.
Beating The Bowlers
UTEP has defeated two teams which went bowling in 2003.
Fresno State and Hawaii capped off the 2003 season by appearing in
the Silicon Valley Bowl and Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, respectively. It
is the first time the Miners have beaten two teams that participated
in bowl games the previous year since 2000.
In 2000 UTEP defeated Hawaii (Oahu Bowl in 1999) and Fresno State
(Las Vegas Bowl in 1999).
Deja Vu All Over Again?
The 2000 season was magical. Could the 2004 campaign -- Mike
Price's first season as head coach -- be another special year?
UTEP's record through nine games mirrors its 2000 mark in as many
contests. The 2000 Miners went on to finish 8-4, win a share of the
WAC title and earn a spot in the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl in
Boise, Idaho.
Like 2000, the Miners lost their first and third games before
starting a winning streak. UTEP has currently won six-straight
games. In 2000, the Miners rattled off a school-record seven
consecutive victories.
The two teams have several similarities through nine games. See
the accompanying box comparing the two teams.
Win Streak
UTEP has won six-consecutive games, which is tied for the
10th-longest current streak in the country. Boise State has the
longest active winning streak at 20 games, followed by USC at 19.
UTEP last won six straight games in 2000, when the Miners reeled
off a school-record seven consecutive victories.
Gaining A Grand
Senior Howard Jackson is only 82 rushing yards away from 1,000
for the season. He is looking to become only the second Miner to
gain 1,000 yards or more twice in his career. Toraino Singleton
rushed for 1,358 yards in 1995 and 1,277 in 1994. Jackson gained
1,146 yards in 2003.
Big-Time Impact For Price
Head Coach Mike Price is one of 14 coaches who are new at NCAA
Division I-A schools this season. He currently has the most wins and
the best winning percentage among new head coaches.
Price was named National Coach of the Year when he led Washington
State to a 10-2 record and a Rose Bowl appearance in 1997. Price is
not the only former national coach of the year to start at a new
school this year. Army's Bobby Ross and Central Florida's George
O'Leary have also earned that honor in the past. Ross was the 1990
National Coach of the Year after directing Georgia Tech to an 11-0-1
record, while O'Leary was also recognized after leading Georgia Tech
to a 9-3 mark in 1999.
First time Division I-A coaches include J.D. Brookhart (Akron),
Mike Stoops (Arizona), Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Mark Dantonio
(Cincinnati), Jeff Genyk (Eastern Michigan), Nick Holt (Idaho),
Sylvester Croom (Mississippi State) and Bill Callahan (Nebraska).
Price has now compiled a 136-124 record in a 23-year coaching
career at Weber State (1981-88), Washington State (1989-2002) and
UTEP (2004). He directed the Cougars to three 10-win seasons (1997,
2001, 2002). During his 14 years in Pullman, Price coached five
players who were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft,
including quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf.
Interceptions Have Become Common
The Miners are tied for fifth in the nation with 16 interceptions
this season. Only Troy (22), Kansas (18), USC (17) and Boise State
(17) have registered more picks in 2004.
Seniors Jahmal Fenner and Adrian Ward are tops on the squad with
four picks.
Fenner is tied for 18th among active players in the country with
nine during his career. Fenner is also seventh among active players
with 885 punt return yards.
A junior college transfer, Ward has totaled seven picks in only 22
career games.
Nine UTEP players have recorded an interception this season,
including senior Adrian Ward who has three.
Miners Will Take It Away
UTEP has forced a turnover in each of its last 28 games. Over
the last four games, the Miners have rattled opponents into turning
the ball over 16 times. During that span UTEP has had a turnover
margin of +6 (10 giveaways/16 takeaways).
UTEP's turnover margin for the season is now +8 (20 giveaways/28
takeaways). Last year the Miners' turnover margin was -15 (40
giveaways/25 takeaways). In other words, UTEP has collected more
takeaways (28) in nine games than it did in 13 contests a year
ago.
The Miners have also had an interception in their last 12 games
dating back to 2003. The streak is the longest in the modern area of
football (post-1964) at the school, breaking the nine-game streak of
2000.
The Miners are tied for second in the nation with their 28
takeaways. USC leads the nation with 30 takeaways.
Nearly Automatic When Seeing Red
The Miners have scored 31 times in 34 trips to the red zone this
season. UTEP has totaled 25 touchdowns and six field goals.
Over the last five games, UTEP is 19 for 19 in the red zone with
16 touchdowns and three field goals.
Jackson And The Century Mark
Howard Jackson has eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards 13
times during his career. The Miners are 7-6 when Jackson rushes for
over 100 yards, including 4-0 in 2004. Jackson is three 100-yard
games away from tying John Harvey's school record of 16.
Jackson has had two tough games in his career against SMU. As a
freshman he rushed for 99 yards on 17 carries. He also had a
touchdown reception of 86 yards. As a sophomore he gained four yards
on eight carries. Last year, the Mustangs held him to 18 yards on
four carries. In his career he has averaged 4.2 yards per carry and
40.3 yards per game.
Blitzkrieg Offense Continues
The Miners have had a quick strike offense this season. UTEP has
scored on its first offensive drive five times (Weber State, Boise
State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State). In seven out of nine
games, the Miners have scored within their first three drives. It
took nine drives before the Miners hit paydirt in the opener at
Arizona State, and eight drives before scoring against Rice. UTEP is
6-1 when scoring first this season.
You Can Say He Is One Of The Best
Statistics indicate that RB Howard Jackson is one of the top
players in all of college football.
Jackson is third in the country among active players with 5,7939
career all-purpose yards behind Kansas State's Darren Sproles (6,552)
and Texas' Cedric Benson (5,913). Jackson and Sproles have both
played in 44 games, but Sproles has totaled 929 plays to Jackson's
748. Jackson has averaged 7.7 yards per play, Sproles 7.1 and Benson
5.3.
Jackson ranks 11th among active players with 3,197 rushing yards.
He is also third with 1,890 kickoff return yards behind Louisville's
Broderick Clark (2,081) and Boston College's Will Blackmon
(2,020).
Sacks Have Become Common
UTEP has done a fine job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks this
season. The Miners have posted 30 sacks through nine games. UTEP
had 21 sacks in 2003, 19 in 2002, 16 in 2001 and 30 in 2000. The
Miners' 30 sacks lead the WAC this year.
LB Thomas Howard and DL Chris Mineo have been terrorizing
quarterbacks. Howard has seven sacks, while Mineo has six. Howard
is tied for seventh in single-season annals with his sack total.
Melvin Besses, Tony Tolbert and Gonzalo Floyd hold the school record
with 11.0 sacks in a season.
The Miners had a season-high six sacks versus Louisiana Tech on
Oct. 23. The Miners sacked Rice five times on Nov. 13.
Raining Touchdowns Through The AIr
Jordan Palmer has done something this year that no UTEP
quarterback has accomplished since the 1967 season -- he has passed
for four or more touchdowns in consecutive games (five-Hawaii,
four-Louisiana Tech). The last quarterback to achieve this feat was
Billy Stevens against BYU (six) and New Mexico (six) 37 years ago.
Since 1950, Stevens and Palmer are the only two UTEP quarterbacks to
pass for four touchdowns or more in back-to-back games (UTEP
quarterbacks combined for back-to-back 4+ TD games in 1965 as
well).
Palmer has completed 150 of 253 passes for 1,839 yards and 17
touchdowns this season. His passing efficiency rating for the season
is 133.0.
Palmer is 80 for 123 (65 percent) for 985 yards and 14 touchdowns
over his last four games. After throwing four interceptions in the
season opener at Arizona State, Palmer has had 17 touchdowns and
eight interceptions in the last eight contests.
Palmer is the younger brother of Carson Palmer, winner of the 2002
Heisman Trophy at USC and the first pick by Cincinnati in the 2003
NFL Draft.
Mr. Touchdown
Sophomore Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. has caught a touchdown pass in
each of the last seven contests, the most consecutive games with a TD
reception for a Miner since Lee Mays caught touchdown balls in 10
straight games in 2000.
Higgins kept the streak alive with the game-winning touchdown in
double overtime against Rice on Nov. 13. The reception was the only
catch of the day for Higgins.
Jordan Palmer and Higgins hooked up for the second-longest pass
play in Bulldog Stadium history with a 91-yard score on Oct. 9 at
Fresno State.
Higgins is fifth on the team with 20 receptions, and leads the
squad with 4,372 receiving yards and seven scores. His 21.9 yards
per catch average is best on the squad. Sixteen of his 20 receptions
have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown this season.
No-Throw Zone
UTEP has limited its opponents to under 10 pass completions in
four games this season (Weber State, New Mexico State, Louisiana
Tech, Rice), which is the most since the 2001 season (four). The
school record for games in a season holding opponents to under 10
completions is eight, set in 1972 and 1976.
UTEP is second in the WAC and seventh in the nation with a passing
efficiency defense rating of 99.3. UTEP hasn't registered a passing
efficiency defense rating below 100 since 1987 (97.8). Since 1950,
the school record for passing efficiency defense is 58.7, set in
1963. This year's mark ranks 15th in the school record books. If
the Miners finish the year with a passing efficiency defense rating
below 100, it will mark only the second time since 1972 that this has
happened in the Sun City.
You Can Put It On The Board . . .
The Miners are averaging 34.3 points per game, which ranks 15th
in the NCAA and second in the WAC this year.
The scoring average is third best in school annals since 1950.
UTEP averaged 35.9 points in 1967 and 35.6 in 1988.
UTEP's 51 points versus Hawaii were the most since scoring 59
against Sam Houston State in 2003. It was the most scored on a
Division I-A opponent since putting up 54 points versus New Mexico
State in 1999.
UTEP's three 40-point games this season are the most since 2000,
when the Miners had four 40-point outings. The school record for
40-point games is five, set in 1950.
Rushing Defense Significantly Improved
UTEP is fourth in the WAC and 62nd in the country in rushing
defense, allowing 151.6 yards per game. This is a far cry from the
2003 unit which yielded 190.8 yards per outing on the ground.
UTEP limited Hawaii to 77 yards rushing on Oct. 16. It marked the
second time this season that the Miners have held opponents to under
100 yards rushing. UTEP contained Weber State to 34 yards on the
ground on Sept. 11. Since 1965, UTEP has now limited its opponent to
under 100 yards rushing in 25 games.
San Jose State rushed for 122 yards in the first half on Oct. 30
led by Tyson Thompson, who totaled 84 yards on 22 carries. The
Miners adjusted in the second half, holding the Spartans to 10 yards
on 19 carries. Thompson had five attempts for zero yards following
the intermission.
The Miners allowed a season-high 312 rushing yards to
option-oriented Rice.
Fenner Makes Miners Winners
Senior DB Jahmal Fenner has stepped up his play in 2004. He is
tied for the team lead with four interceptions and has posted 32
tackles -- including three sacks -- as well as broken up six passes,
forced two fumbles and applied one QB hurry.
Fenner ranks third in the WAC and tied for 15th in the country
with 0.4 interceptions per game. He is first in the league and sixth
in the country, averaging 17.2 yards per punt return. He has had
four punt returns for over 20 yards this season, including a 56-yard
touchdown return against Rice. It was the second special teams
touchdown of his career; he also scored on a 98-yard kickoff return
versus San Jose State in 2001.
He now has 82 career punt returns for 885 yards (10.8 ypr) and a
touchdown. He holds the school record for punt returns and
yards.
With nine interceptions, Fenner is one away from etching his name
onto UTEP's all-time top 10 list.
Rodriguez Continues To Lead In Tackles
Senior LB Robert Rodriguez has amassed a whopping 411 tackles in
his career despite having a down year (50 stops) in 2002. He has led
the WAC in tackles two of the last three years, registering 137 stops
in 2001 and 135 in 2003.
This season Rodriguez has piled up 89 tackles, including 11
tackles for losses, a sack and an interception. He leads the WAC in
tackles with 9.9 per game.
An El Paso native and converted running back, Rodriguez had a
personal best 22 stops against SMU and Rice in 2001. He has posted
double-digit tackles in 23 career games, including five times this
season.
Rodriguez had a tremendous outing against Rice on Nov. 13. He
posted 19 stops -- including two TFLs -- and recovered a fumble to
end the game in double overtime.
With 411 tackles, Rodriguez ranks fifth on the UTEP career list.
Next on the list is Micheal Comer (1993-94-95-96), who posted 437
stops in his Miner career.
Rodriguez is trying to become only the fourth Miner to lead the
team in tackles in three seasons this year. This was previously
achieved by Raymond Morris (1980-83), Barron Wortham (1990-93) and
Comer (1994-96). Morris, Wortham and Comer all went on to enjoy NFL
stints. Morris was with Chicago, Comer was with Arizona and Wortham
was with Houston, Tennessee and Dallas. Rodriguez currently has
eight more tackles than his closest pursuer, senior LB Godwin
Akinduro (81).
Benekos Ranks Eighth Nationally
Senior P Bryce Benekos ranks 10th in the NCAA with a punting
average of 44.4 yards this year. He rates second in school history
in punts (243) and punting yards (10,002). His punting average has
risen steadily in four years with the Miners, from 34.5 as a freshman
to 40.8 in 2002, 44.1 in 2003 and 44.4 this season. His 44.4 average
in 2004 stands as the fourth-best seasonal figure in UTEP
history.
No active punter in the country has had as many punts or punt
yardage as Benekos has had during his career.
In addition to ranking 10th in the country, Benekos leads the WAC
in punting average. He has also pinned 14 punts inside the
opponents' 20-yard line.
Benekos, who got married during the off season, is a three-time
Academic All-WAC pick.
A Lotta Action From This Jackson
Senior RB Howard Jackson, a Doak Walker Award candidate, seeks to
continue his climb up the UTEP charts when the Miners meet Rice. The
slight (5-9, 160) but speedy (4.26 time in the 40) Jackson ranks
second in career rushing yardage (3,197), third in rushing attempts
(607) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (21). The Freeport,
Texas, native has had 13 career 100-yard rushing games, which is
second on the all-time list.
Jackson is now 379 yards away from tying school record-holder John
Harvey (1985-86-87-88).
Jackson will also move into second place for carries with nine
more attempts, tying Robert Elliott (1974-75-76-77).
Jackson has already smashed UTEP's career all-purpose yardage
record. He has 5,793 all-purpose yards -- tops in school history --
and has averaged 131.7 all-purpose yards per contest, which is second
in the record books. Last season Jackson racked up 2,146 all-purpose
yards, shattering Hughes' single-season mark which had stood for
nearly 40 years.
Jackson rates second on the Miner charts in kickoff return yardage
(1,890) and third in kickoff returns (77).
Jackson, who returned one punt for five yards at Rice in 2001,
recorded the second punt return of his career at Louisiana Tech on
Oct. 23. He picked up nine yards on the return. Jackson fumbled a
punt return attempt against Rice on Nov. 13.
Jackson Chasing Down History
Howard Jackson has etched his name into the NCAA's all-time
all-purpose yardage list. Jackson currently has 5,793 total yards,
putting him 28th on the list behind North Carolina's Leon Johnson
(1993-94-95-96, 5,828 yards) and ahead of Oklahoma's Joe Washington
(1972-73-74-75, 5,781 yards). Ricky Williams (1995-96-97-98) of
Texas is the all-time record-holder with 7,206 all-purpose yards.
Making An Impact
Senior linebackers Robert Rodriguez and Godwin Akinduro were on
the field together for the first time in their careers at Arizona
State. Previously Akinduro backed up Rodriguez. He was switched
from middle linebacker to weak side linebacker under the new
staff.
The duo is currently 1-2 on the team in tackles. Rodriguez leads
the unit with 89 stops, while Akinduro has posted 81 over nine games.
Rodriguez is also second on the team with 11 tackles for losses. He
has one sack, four QB hurries, four forced fumbles, three pass
breakups, an interception (18 yards at Fresno State) and a fumble
recovery. Akinduro has three tackles for losses, a half sack and has
recovered two fumbles.
Akinduro picked up 12 tackles against New Mexico State to earn WAC
Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Throw in Thomas Howard -- UTEP's starting strong side linebacker
-- and you have a terrific trio. Howard ranks third on the team with
46 tackles. Howard, a big playmaker, has 12 TFLs, seven sacks, two
interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble
recovery in 2004.
Punt Return Specialist
Senior Jahmal Fenner returned three punts for 98 yards at Arizona
State. The 98 yards stand as the 11th-highest single-game total in
school history. Fenner had 115 yards (ranks fifth) in 2001 against
Texas Southern.
He also had his career-long return of 84 yards in the fourth
quarter versus the Sun Devils. His previous long was 62 yards last
year against Cal Poly. Fenner currently ranks sixth in the NCAA in
punt return average (17.2 ypr).
Fenner (82 career returns) holds the school record for career punt
returns. The previous record was held by Javier Sanchez (1996-97-98,
2000) with 70. Fenner now has 885 career punt return yards and broke
Gerald Campbell's (1949-50-51) record of 874 with 52 yards versus
Rice.
Run For Perfection Ends
Sophomore Reagan Schneider missed a 47-yard field goal attempt
(wide right) at San Jose State on Oct. 30, ending his string of
consecutive makes to start the season at 12.
He rebounded to nail a 20-yarder later in the game, making him 13
for 14 on field goal attempts this season. Schneider has scored 75
points, with 13 field goals and 36 PATs. He is 36-for-37 (97.3
percent) in PAT tries. His long field goal was good for 52 yards
versus Weber State.
His 13 field goals are already tied for fifth-best in the school's
single-season records, and his 75 points rank third. If the season
ended today, his field goal percentage would rate best in school
history.
He is 7-for-8 on field goals of 40 yards or more this season.
Last year he was 0-for-3 from that range.
Schneider booted four field goals -- including a 52-yarder before
halftime -- to tie the school record against Weber State. His four
field goals tied Scott Wedell (1983 vs. Weber State), Chris Jacke
(1988 vs. Colorado State) and Jason Gillespie (1990 vs. Hawaii and
1990 at Colorado State) for the top figure in school annals.
Schneider also set a personal high with 14 points twice this
season, first against Weber State and then at Louisiana Tech. The 14
points are the most by a kicker since Jacke had 16 points (three
field goals, seven PATs) in a 58-7 win over San Diego State on Nov.
12, 1988.
Schneider is currently 11th in the NCAA with 1.6 field goals made
per game, and 17th with 8.8 points per game.
He is on pace to crack UTEP's top 10 list for points in a season.
If he maintains his current pace he would finish with 92 points,
which would rank fourth in school annals.
Defense Key To Miner Success
While much of UTEP's defensive personnel is the same as from the
2003 squad which allowed 448.3 yards per game, the unit has staged a
dramatic turnaround under new coordinator Tim Hundley. In 2004 the
Miners rate 48th nationally in total defense (356.2 ypg), including
seventh in passing efficiency defense (99.2) and 62nd in rushing
defense (151.6 ypg).
UTEP is second in the WAC and 42nd in the country in scoring
defense (22.7 ppg). Last year the Miners surrendered 38.3 points per
game, and have shaved an average of 15.6 points per game off that
figure in 2004.
Hundley's defense has limited two opponents to under 250 yards
(112 vs. Weber State, 226 vs. New Mexico State). It is the first
time that UTEP has performed such a feat since the 2000 season, and
only the 12th time since 1965.
Against Weber State, UTEP put up its best defensive effort since
the 1967 Sun Bowl game, when it allowed 109 yards in a 14-7 victory
over Mississippi. The Miners held Weber State to 112 yards of total
offense (34 rushing, 78 passing). The performance marked only the
eighth time since 1965 that the Miners have limited an opponent to
under 150 yards of offense.
The Pride Of El Paso
Backup quarterback Omar Duarte has played in 17 collegiate games
and completed 95-of-184 passes (51.6 percent) for 1,188 yards and
nine touchdowns. Duarte has thrown four interceptions, but has not
thrown one in his last 121 attempts. He is 10-for-15 (66.7 percent)
with 146 yards and three touchdowns this season.
No Flaws At All
After the Miners turned the ball over five times (four
interceptions and a fumble) in the opener at Arizona State, UTEP did
not give up the ball once in the 32-0 victory over Weber State. It
was the first time the Miners did not have a turnover in a game since
defeating SMU on Oct. 4, 2003. During the past three seasons
(2001-03) the Miners had only two games with no turnovers, while
committing a whopping 108 miscues during that span.
Games without turnovers are rare for UTEP teams. Since the 1965
season the Miners have played 437 games and have had only 29 games
(6.6 percent) with no turnovers. The school record for most games
without a turnover in a season is four, set in 1988.
Turnovers haven't been a problem for the Miners in 2004. They
have had 20 giveaways and 28 takeaways this season. Their turnover
margin of +0.89 ranks 14th in the NCAA.
UTEP has not finished the season with a plus turnover margin since
2000 (+0.4 tm). Last year the Miners finished with 40 turnovers
(-1.2 tm). In 2002 UTEP had 37 miscues (-1.6 tm), and in 2001 the
Miners had 31 (-0.9 tm).
No More Fumbles
The Miners have made tremendous strides holding onto the
football. UTEP has had only eight turnovers via the fumble this
year. Through nine games last year, UTEP had given up 12 fumbles.
The Miners have had 12 turnovers via the interception. Jordan
Palmer had four interceptions at Arizona State and again versus
Hawaii. The Miners are 4-0 when quarterbacks do not throw an
interception this season.
True Freshmen
Former Parade All-American Marcus Thomas and Paul Darby have been
the only true freshmen on the field for the Miners in 2004.
Thomas is being eased into the college game. He has rushed 32
times for 132 yards, and caught three passes for seven yards. Thomas
had career highs for rushes (nine) against New Mexico State, and
rushing yards (37) at San Jose State.
Darby, who has been suspended indefinitely, saw his first
collegiate action on special teams against Boise State.
Along with Thomas and Darby, 11 other Miners currently on the
active roster saw action as true freshmen. Among them are Matt
Austin (debut in 2001), Bryce Benekos (debut in 2001), Mark Dowdy
(debut in 2000), Justin Hunt (debut in 2000), Howard Jackson (debut
in 2001), Jeremy Jones (debut in 2003), Aaron King (debut in 2003),
Chris Marrow (debut in 2003), Phillip Moss (debut in 2002), Reagan
Schneider (debut in 2003) and Jimmy Smith (debut in 2001).
O-Line Is Youngest Unit
UTEP's biggest graduation losses from 2003 are in the offensive
line. Three starters have departed -- RG Robert Clayton, LT Trey
Darilek and C Chris Kerr. Darilek was chosen by Philadelphia in the
fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
Two of this year's starters -- junior LG Jose Garcia and senior RT
Robert Espinosa -- have started 19 and 27 career games, respectively.
Senior RG Ben Graniello has started on 14 occasions. Senior Bo
Morris and junior Josh House -- who start at center and left tackle,
respectively -- made the first starts of their careers in the season
opener at Arizona State. Morris and House have started all nine
games this season.
Also seeing action in the offensive line this season have been
Anthony Casey, Alex DiMatteo, Luis Espinosa, Tim Ford, Dustin Gersch,
James Riley, Clay Salima, Andy Smith, Jordan Tubig and Mark
Parrish.
Turning Defensive
The Miners have six defensive players who began their careers on
the other side of the ball, including starting linebackers Robert
Rodriguez (running back) and Godwin Akinduro (tight end). Mark Dowdy
(wide receiver), Matt Elwood (wide receiver), Justin Gissendanner
(offensive line) and Phillip Moss (quarterback) also came to UTEP as
offensive players.
Moss played one game at quarterback against Boise State in 2002.
He went three of 13 for 25 yards in that contest. He was redshirted
last year to make the transition to defense.
Senior Jimmy Smith began his Miner career on the defensive side of
the ball before switching to running back. He notched 14 tackles in
eight games in 2001.
Media Takes Notice
The hiring of Mike Price has brought a great deal of national
attention to the UTEP football program. Two weeks ago, ESPN's
College Gameday crew visited El Paso to produce a feature on the
Miners. Also in town that week were writers from USA Today, ESPN.com
and The Dallas Morning News.
Since the beginning of August, television crews from Fox Sports
Net Southwest and College Sports Television (CSTV) have made visits
to Miner practices, as well as ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Also in
attendance have been writers from the Associated Press Dallas bureau,
Albuquerque Journal, Arizona Republic, Denver Post and ESPN The
Magazine.
All In The Family
When it comes to the UTEP football coaching staff, the Price is
right -- times three. Father Mike is the head coach, and sons Aaron
and Eric are the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator,
respectively. Although the Prices bring a combined 56 years of
coaching experience to the gridiron, 2004 marks the first time that
they have worked together on the same staff. Eric played for his
father at Weber State in 1988, and Aaron was Mike Price's kicker at
Washington State from 1991-93.
Gone Bowling
The Miners know what it takes to win. Fifteen players are still
around from the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl team which finished the season
8-4. Seniors Mark Dowdy and Justin Hunt each saw action in the bowl
game. The other Miners redshirted that season. Among those players
are Godwin Akinduro, Jonas Crafts, Dirk Dillard, Omar Duarte, Matt
Elwood, Robert Espinosa, Jahmal Fenner, Brian Givens, Ben Graniello,
Ibok Ibok, Bo Morris, Aaron Osborn and Robert Rodriguez.
Breaking Down the 2004 Miners
The 2004 UTEP roster features 97 players -- 21 seniors, 30
juniors, 23 sophomores and 23 freshmen. The Miners have a large
senior class for the first time since 1998, when they had 25 seniors
(UTEP had 13 seniors in 2000 and 2001, 16 in 2002 and seven in
2003).
Oh Brother
UTEP has four brother combinations on its 2004 roster: the
Espinosas (OL Luis and OL Robert), the Givens (WR Aaron and RB
Johan), the Hunts (TE Jamar and TE Justin) and the Jones (LB Jeremy
and DB Victor).
3.0 Club
Thirteen Miners had grade point averages of 3.0 or better at the
conclusion of the spring 2004 semester. They are sophomore DL Jake
Belshe, senior P Bryce Benekos, freshman QB Joe Castro, senior DB
Matt Elwood, junior DL Tevita Fifita, senior DL Brian Givens, senior
OL Ben Graniello, freshman TE Jamar Hunt, senior DB Victor Jones,
senior OL Bo Morris, senior DB Mike Perez, freshman DL James Riley
and sophomore PK Reagan Schneider.
Four Miners are playing the 2004 season as graduate students --
Givens, Graniello, senior TE Justin Hunt and Morris.
From The Weight Room
Some noteworthy numbers from the Miner strength and conditioning
program ... senior RB Howard Jackson has been timed at 4.26 in the
40, while sophomore WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. has been timed at
4.28 and freshman DB Quintin Demps at 4.31. UTEP's team average in
the 40 is 4.79 seconds, down from 4.95 in 2003. Junior LB Thomas
Howard, at 230 pounds, has posted a 4.38 time in the 40.
Nine Miners have registered vertical jumps of 40 inches or better,
compared to two in 2003. Twenty-six players have vertical jumps of
over 35 inches.
Senior DLs Ibok Ibok and Aaron Osborn can both bench press 429
pounds. Twenty-five players bench pressed 350+ pounds over the
summer, compared to 17 in the summer of 2003.
Junior WR Jayson Boyd has achieved a standing long jump of 10 feet
seven inches. Junior DB Cedric Click has the top vertical jump on
the team at 42.5 inches.
Miner Nuggets
UTEP has had a WAC Player of the Week in seven of nine games this
season. The seven WAC Player of the Week honorees ties the school
record which was set in 2000. On Monday, freshman DB Quintin Demps
was appointed the league's Defensive Player of the Week. Demps
registered 12 tackles and two forced fumbles against Rice. His
second forced fumble at the one-yard line in the second overtime
secured the Miners' 35-28 win over the Owls...Jahmal Fenner returned
his first punt for a TD versus Rice. It was the 81st punt return of
his career...UTEP is now 1-0 when ranked in the top 25 by the
Associated Press...after TE Jonas Crafts left the game with a knee
injury against Rice, backups Jake Sears and Casey Mauch stepped up.
Sears snagged two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, while Mauch
caught a touchdown ball in the first overtime. Both touchdowns were
the first of their careers. UTEP's tight ends have now caught five
TDs this season...UTEP's 92-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter
at San Jose State tied the second-longest for the Miners this year.
UTEP had a 98-yard drive and a 92-yard drive against Weber State
earlier in 2004...San Jose State ran 24 more plays than UTEP on Oct.
30, but finished with 67 fewer yards...P Bryce Benekos completed a
10-yard pass at San Jose State. Benekos also attempted a pass
against Boise State in 2002 which was intercepted. Benekos is the
third non-quarterback to throw a pass for UTEP in 2004...the Miners
are 6-0 when leading at the half and when leading entering the fourth
quarter...Daniel Robinson had his first catch as a Miner at Louisiana
Tech -- a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Palmer...Adrian Ward had
his first multi-interception game at Louisiana Tech...UTEP was
9-for-15 (60 percent) on third downs against Hawaii, its best average
since Aug. 31, 2002 versus Sacramento State (12-for-20, 60
percent)...UTEP converted its first fourth down of the season in the
first quarter versus Hawaii...the Miner defense had 12 QB hurries
versus Hawaii...Howard Jackson led UTEP with five receptions at
Fresno State. It was the first time this year that he had the
highest reception total on the team...Jahmal Fenner posted the first
sack of his career at Fresno State. It was the 36th game of his
career...Jordan Palmer's 91-yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. at
Fresno State was the second-longest pass in Bulldog Stadium
history...UTEP's win at Fresno State was its first in Fresno since
1938...UTEP's opponents are 21 for 29 in red zone opportunities, with
17 touchdowns and four field goals...the Miners are 4-0 when Howard
Jackson rushes for over 100 yards...Jackson was the last Miner to
return a kickoff for a TD (Nevada, 2001) before he took the
second-half kickoff 91 yards to the end zone versus New Mexico
State...UTEP limited both Weber State and New Mexico State to less
than 10 first downs, the first time this has happened twice in a
season since 1997...Justin Hanel made his first collegiate start at
left defensive end at Fresno State. Alex Obomese was a first time
starter for the Miners at left defensive end last week versus
Rice...WR Jayson Boyd has attempted two passes on wide receiver
throwbacks. Both passes were incomplete and intended for Chris
Francies. Francies tried to hit Boyd on a pass in the first quarter
at Louisiana Tech, however it fell incomplete. UTEP's receivers are
now 0-for-3 in pass attempts this season...three receivers -- junior
Chris Francies and sophomores Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. and Chris
Marrow -- have had 100-yard games at UTEP. Junior RB Matt Austin has
gone over the century mark in rushing twice...RB Josh Chamois has
four rushing TDs on 10 carries this season...Chris Francies had his
first multi-touchdown game against Hawaii. He had three TDs which
were the most since Lee Mays had three against Rice in 2000...WR
Jayson Boyd had 61 yards receiving versus Rice, his best total as a
Miner...Hawaii and UTEP combined to throw 110 passes...Reagan
Schneider did not attempt a field goal for the first time all season
against Rice.
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