Tough UCF awaits UTEP Miners

http://www.elpasotimes.com/minersmania/ci_7502539

 

The unfortunate thing to understand about UTEP's 2007 season is that, as improbable as this sounds, the 56-30 loss to a struggling Southern Mississippi may not be rock bottom.

After all, their total defense rating still puts them ahead of North Texas and Minnesota and scoring leader Kevin Smith of UCF awaits, looking to move from second to first in the national rushing race.

So yes, the Miners may have gone crashing through the basement floor when they gave up touchdowns on six consecutive Golden Eagle possessions to start the second half, but there is still a fiery pit below them.

"We're not throwing in the towel, we're not giving up," said safety Braxton Amy, who did have an interception Saturday. "We're playing for pride. We don't want to be losers. ... I feel good about our team, we're just struggling to get a win. I know we're a great team, we have a great upside, we're just not winning.

Bret Bloomquist / El Paso Times