UTEP Destroys UTSA 34-0 With Epic Defensive Performance

After six games, the UTEP football team had shown obvious signs of improvement from last season. Nobody expected what happened tonight in San Antonio. In a shocking performance, the Miners came off their bye week and manhandled UT San Antonio 34-0 in the Alamodome. The win was their first FBS shutout in 10 years, and one of the greatest defensive performances in program history. The Miners limited the Roadrunners to just two first downs all night and only 70 yards of total offense. Let me repeat that, in case you did not read that correctly. UTEP's defense held UTSA to just two first downs and 70 yards of total offense.

Considering the Miners came into this game giving up the most yards per play in all of FBS college football, tonight's complete shutdown of UTSA was an eye opener. Defensive coordinator Scott Stoker deserves a ton of credit for their performance, especially since he took over one of the worst defenses in college football when he arrived at UTEP just prior to last season. Tonight was different; the Miner defense played with passion, enthusiasm, and a ton of confidence. Devin Cockrell led the team with five solo tackles and a sack, and Jimmy Musgrave had a pick six early in the fourth quarter for the Miners.

Offensively, the Miners established their passing game early on, and the Roadrunners were shell shocked. Jameill Sowers connected on a pair of deep touchdown passes, including a 75-yard bomb to Jaquan White for the game's first score. Showers was effective, completing 12 of 18 passes for 191 yards and no interceptions. Aaron Jones ran for 93 yards and a touchdown, and he added another score with a 40-yard TD reception. The Miners also crushed UTSA in time of possession, and did not turn the ball over once.

I hope every Miner fan in El Paso had a chance to watch the dominant performance by their home team tonight. UTEP will host Southern Miss next Saturday with a chance to win their fifth game of the season. Tonight's road performance was so impressive, I expect 40,000 fans to fill the Sun Bowl to see the Miners and Golden Eagles. Fans in El Paso have so many excuses why they won't support the Miners, but my favorite is that they can't watch enough road games because they are never televised. Thanks to the CW, everyone in town was able to witness UTEP's first shutout since 2005, and they have plenty of reasons to be excited about this football team. See you next Saturday at the Sun Bowl.