UTEP Dismantles UTSA in 34-0 Victory

The UTEP defense allowed just two first downs, and gave up only 70 yards of total offense as a complete team effort produced an impressive 34-0 road win for the Miners.

After forcing a three and out on the first UTSA drive, Jameill Showers found Jaquan White for a 75 yard score that put the Miners on the board first at 7-0 just 3:06 into the ball game.

Stout defense produced six more three and outs over the next six drives, and while the offense wouldn't exactly dominate early on, they would find themselves up 14-0 after one and 17-0 at the intermission.

Neither team was able to get anything going early in the 3rd quarter as both teams would punt on their first two possessions. The Miners would strike on their third possession though, moving the ball 55 yards on 8 plays, capped by a 24 yard dash by Aaron Jones.

The defensive showcase would continue, as the Miners would force turnovers on the next two Roadrunner possessions, with the second resulting in a 19 yard pick six by linebacker Jimmy Musgrave with 14:46 to play.

That score would be the final one of the game, but the Miners wouldn't let up, allowing just one more first down the rest of the game, and using up the final 7:53 on an 11 play drive that ended in victory formation near the UTSA 10.

Jameill Showers led the way for the Miners, going 12 of 18 for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 37 yards.

Aaron Jones, who left the game with an apparent leg injury on the final drive, finished with 86 yards and a score on 21 carries, while also hauling in a pair of catches for 36 yards and another score.

Jaquan White finished with 75 yards and a score on that single grab in the first quarter, Ian Hamilton had one catch for 28 yards, and Autrey Golden finished with 5 catches for 23 yards.

Austin Robinson was never able to get things going for UTSA as he finished just 6 of 20 for the game for 32 yards and a single interception. He also rushed 8 times for a total of 3 yards.

David Glasco II was the leading rusher for the Runners, but finished with just 16 yards on 5 carries. Jarveon Williams finished with 11 yards on 6 carries. Kam Jones was the leading receiver with 2 catches for 14 yards.

As a team the Miners outgained the Roadrunners 351 to 70 while racking up 15 first downs to just the aforementioned 2 for UTSA. The Miners were also +2 in the turnover department, and finished with nearly a 2 to 1 advantage in time of possession.

What an amazing win for the Miners. Not only does it improve them to 4-3 and 2-1 in conference, it sets them up with a real opportunity to make a bowl game with 5 games still to play.

Perhaps the most valuable player in this contest, although he hasn't been mentioned, was the Miners sophomore kicker Jay Mattox. Not only did he knock in 2 field goals, including a career long 48 yarder, he was magnificent punting, pinning UTSA back inside their own 10 four of five drives during a crucial stretch between the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

All around, just a great team effort from the Miners, something that we hadn't seen under Sean Kugler, or really for years. If this team can continue to play as well as they did tonight, the possibilities are endless the rest of the season.

Up next, the Miners will return home to take on Southern Miss. next Saturday in the Sun Bowl. Kickoff for that contest is slated for 6:00 p.m. MT.

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