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After averaging 472 yards and 38 points per game through their first two contests, the UTEP Miners were held to just 13 points and only 218 yards of offense in Saturday night's loss to the UTSA Roadrunners.
Eric Soza led a balanced attack that gained 303 yards of offense in the first half, including a 2 play 70 yard drive that ended in a 17 yard lob to Cole Hubble to give the Runners a 25-10 halftime lead.
The Miner defense would tighten up in the second half and limit UTSA to only 82 yards of total offense, but the offense would struggle to get that previously potent run game going, and never got going otherwise.
The Miners would manage to put together a 13 play 66 yard drive in the third quarter, but that only turned into three points, as kicker Jay Mattox knotched his second career field goal. Those would be the only points the Miners would score the entire second half.
They would have three opportunities in the 4th quarter to close the UTSA lead, but would fail twice on 4th down. For the night, they were also only able to convert just six times on 15 attempts on third downs.
Jameill Showers had a rough night going 17-31 for only 119 yards, and was also only able to net just five yards on the ground. Frankly, it just wasn't his night, as he never seemed to be in sync with his receivers.
Aaron Jones was held to only 30 yards on the ground on 10 carries, and the Miners were held to 99 yards total on the ground. They also gave UTSA 50 yards on 4 costly penalties and did not score a TD on offense. Perhaps the lone bright spot on the night was that they did protect the football.
The Miners will now prepare for their second game away from the Sun Bowl, but really their first true road game as they head to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State a week from tonight.
Make sure to stay tuned to MinerRush for more UTSA reaction tomorrow with Beyond the Boxscore, as well as coverage of all things UTEP sports.
STAT LEADERS
Passing: Eric Soza 18-24 204 yds 1 TD
Rushing: David Glasco II 10 rushes 53 yds 1 TD
Receiving: Eric Tomlinson 4 catches 30 yds
Of Note: Autrey Golden 100 yd kickoff return.