UTEP Football: Big plays on both sides of the ball highlight Day 8

Sean Kugler got a good look at some freshman running backs, and the defense continued their strong play Thursday morning in Ruidoso.

Freshman wide receiver Eddie Sinegal had the play off the day with an acrobatic one-handed catch in a goal line drill, along with a few big runs including a couple from Aaron Jones in redzone work.

Freshman running backs Quadraiz Wadley, Walter Dawn, and Kevin Dove have seen their reps increase with Treyvon Hughes on the shelf. Kugler did not provide an update on the MRI done on Hughes’ knee on Thursday.

Sophomore corner Nik Needham picked off a pass, Kolbi McGary recovered his third fumble of camp, and Alvin Jones delivered a big hit on Darrin Laufasa highlighting the day for the boys in white.

Kugler talks about using Brandon Moss as a wideout in goal line situations. One of the Miners best athletes, Moss is also working with the first and second team defense at corner, and has punted in his UTEP career as well.

As we have also seen in the past couple of seasons, Kugler also talks about using offense lineman as defensive lineman in short yardage and goal line packages on defense to maximize UTEP's talent distribution.

Kugler talks to the media about the position battle going on in the secondary at safety, and emergence of freshman Kolbi McGary and junior Brendan Royal along with the experience from vets Dashone Smith and Devin Cockrell.

Sophomore defensive back Michael Lewis who made major waves as a true freshman has been ruled academically ineligible and will not play this season.

Thursday was a two-a-day workout with the afternoon portion focusing on special teams as the team worked out in shorts to finish a productive day.

All eyes now are set upon Sunday with the final scrimmage in Ruidoso and a chance for some position battles to unfold.