With either team's offense unable to rack up many points, UTEP and heavily-favored, No. 4 Oklahoma played to a 7-7 tie after one half.
Sophomore running back Nathan Jeffery carried the Miners on offense with 18 carries for 79 yards and contributing to UTEP's lone touchdown. With nine minutes to go in the first quarter and the Sooners punting, senior Richard Spencer blocked the kick, which Jeffery recovered and returned 24 yards for the first score.
Oklahoma answered two possessions later with a 67-yard pass when senior Landry Jones hit junior Kenny Stills with a 68-yard touchdown pass.
The Miners had a pair of chances to add points on the board, starting with their first possession of the game, when they picked up 58 yards on 10 plays but senior Dakota Warren missed a 41-yard attempt to give UTEP the early lead.
The Miners began their second drive of the second quarter at mid-field after a 26-yard punt return by senior WR Mike Edwards, but Warren missed another field goal, this one from 31-yards out.
The Sooners had their opportunity to take their first lead of the game in the second quarter when they drove to the UTEP 27, but had their field goal blocked and returned by Horace Miller to the 50.
Senior quarterback Nich Lamaison struggled in the first half, going 3-of-13 for 17 yards, while his counterpart and Heisman nominee, senior Landry Jones, went 12-of-23 for 145 yards and one touchdown.
Both teams were unable to show much offense, especially on third down, where Oklahoma went 2-of-8 and UTEP went 2-of-9 in that position. The Sooners had 183 total offensive yards, while the Miners had 109.