I caught the Aggie-Miner game while visiting family in El Paso for the weekend.
It looks like New Mexico State has a long way to go before getting a handle on the Hal Mumme system. UTEP, on the other hand, is impressive. I'm not just saying that because I grew up watching the Miners.
All is not lost for Aggie fans or those who prefer close rivalry games.
Aggie quarterback Royal Gil does have potential and it turns out converting Paul Dombrosky from quarterback to receiver was a great idea. He was the only one making any progress for the Aggies most of the game.
The Aggies show signs of the trademark Mumme / Mike Leach attack. A lot of trick plays, a lot of four and even five receiver sets. They line up four receivers and Dombrowsky in the backfield on punting formations, and there seems to be a 50-50 chance they'll go for it on a ridiculous fourth-and-way-long or punt. You don't have a lot to loose when you're already down big. And Mumme has proven to be a gambler, much like Leach.
The problem is, his guys can't quite execute his elaborate plans yet. That, however, may change with more practice.
Plus, UTEP just plain looked good.
Yea, the Aggies helped their cause a whole lot but NMSU wasn't exactly a pushover team. They came out prepared but it wasn't enough. The Miners are loaded.
You can see their potential from the way they run onto the field. Coach Mike Price marches out with a pick axe and holds it up near the end zone. His players all rally around him and jump as their fans shout "UTEP, UTEP." They do a little bouncing around in a huddle, then charge onto the field with Price jogging with them.
By kickoff, Price has them bursting with energy and confidence.
These are the Miners, remember. Football and success aren't exactly synonyms in El Paso, so this is a really big deal to the fans and their program. They also happen to be dedicating their season to the trips stationed at and deployed from Fort Bliss, so they have unprecedented support. Those fans were loud and proud, taking over Aggie Memorial. I'm a little ashamed to admit the Miner fans got out of hand, drinking a little too much and going too far jeering Aggie fans. Could be a bad mix in El Paso when the Lobos visit if security isn't there and fans on both sides don't let the players do the talking.
On the field, UTEP is loaded at wide receiver and running back. Their star running back, UCLA transfer Tyler Ebell, is cat-quick and strong. He's tough to knock down. He's a combination of DonTrell Moore and Rodney Ferguson -- impressive.
Jordan Palmer seems to have settled down at QB following the some of the problems he had with turnovers last year.
And their top linebacker, Thomas Howard, is a monster on the field. His stats were: 10 tackles, including five solo; two tackles for a loss of 12 yards; one fumble recovered; one interception for 20 yards; two passes broken up; and one sack for a nine-year loss.
I know the Aggies rallied a little in the second half, but Price pretty much called off the dogs. He spoke all week about sportsmanship, as though he was aware the Aggies might not be able to keep up with his boys. It might be a theme for the Miners for the year because their schedule is so incredibly light. If they can get past the Lobos, there's a good chance they'll go undefeated.
It should be a tough, but good game when the Miners and Lobos play in El Paso. The game will be on TV, but it's definitely worth the trip if you can make it. The Sun Bowl is beautiful (it's a stadium carved out of a mountain with great views), the city has great food (I'll post some great restaurant choices on here closer to game day) and it should be an awesome matchup.

Posted by ilimon at 07:41 AM | Permalink