UTEP Miners running back Nathan Jeffery was named Conference USA's offensive MVP for his tremendous effort against the #4 Oklahoma Sooners. East Carolina linebacker Jeremy Grove was named the defensive MVP with a nine tackle performance in ECU's 35-13 win over Appalachian State.

Here's the note from the league office.

Jeffery ran for a career-best 177 yards on 21 carries for UTEP against fourth-ranked Oklahoma. Jeffery set a school record for rushing yards in a season opener, eclipsing the mark of 164 set in 1976. Five of Jeffery's carries were for more than 10 yards, including a 71-yard run that marked the fourth-best effort in the Mike Price era and the longest by an underclassman at UTEP since 2001. The Miners only touchdown of the game came at the hands of Jeffery, who returned a block punt 24 yards to reach pay dirt in the opening quarter. The Texas native compiled 219 all-purpose yards.

The Miners of course take on the Mississippi Rebels Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. in Oxford. That game will be televised on Fox Sports Network. Expect more on Ole Miss in the coming days, but a good start would be to check out Red Cup Rebellion.