Miners Can’t Sustain Momentum
The UTEP Miners had played their best first half of the season against Army on Saturday. They even had a lead for the first time this season after an early first quarter touchdown. Defensively, they put up a much better effort against Army in this game than the 66-14 drubbing the Black Knights handed the Miners in the Sun Bowl.
That said, it did not take Army long to seize momentum in the second half. Army took less than four minutes of the second half to score two touchdowns in between a UTEP three and out. In a game where possessions are precious against a triple option offense, the Miners just couldn’t get it going again even with quarterback Ryan Metz leaving the game with an injury.
Welcome Back Quardraiz Wadley
The best player on the field for the Miners today was the sophomore running back from Kennedale. He looked like the power runner that head coach Sean Kugler and company had been looking for through the first third of the season.
Wadley finished with 28 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown with the majority of his production coming in the first half. In a season where there haven’t been many positives, Wadley has been one. Expect him to see the lion’s share of carries moving forward.
Drops Continue To Plague UTEP
One of the most jarring stats from last week’s game was the fact that New Mexico State defensive back Shamad Lomax was the leading receiver for UTEP with three interceptions. No Miner receiver had more than two.
This week was better in that category as Tyler Batson had five receptions, but any time the Miners needed a big conversion or just to keep possession, they just couldn’t get it done on Saturday.
Where Do The Miners Go At Quarterback?
Nearly halfway into the season, there still doesn’t seem to be an answer to this question. Ryan Metz got the start but left the game in the first half with an apparent shoulder injury. The most notable change this time around was that Zack Greenlee came into the game instead of Mark Torrez.
Greenlee did play solid when he got protection, finishing 7-of-13 for 88 yards and a touchdown to tight end David Lucero. As the Miners head back to El Paso to host defending C-USA champion Western Kentucky, who will be the Miners signal caller next week?
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