Scouting UTEP: Offense

The #18 Bulls are looking to start 4-0 for the fourth time in the past five years, and it appears that the defense will have a relatively easy day against an offense that scored just 16 points on a very bad New Mexico State team last week. UTEP's other win this season was against FCS Stony Brook, who took the Miners into overtime before getting beaten, 31-24. Breaking down the offense, there seems to be a bit of confusion regarding the quarterback position.

Quarterback - Tennessee transfer Nick LaMaison suffered a shoulder injury in their week two loss to SMU, and did not play at all the following week. In two games, LaMaison has racked up 507 total yards on a 60.7 completion percentage, while throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions (all against Stony Brook). LaMaison's backup, Javia Hall, came in after LaMaison exited with an injury. Since that game, Hall has completed just over 35 percent of his passes with no TDs and one interception, and still he was able to lead the Miners to victory over NMSU. Miner coaches have been playing the cards close to the vest this week, though, as they have no released who will be starting tomorrow night.

Running Backs - Senior Joe Banyard is UTEP's leading rusher when it comes to yardage, but one 60-yard run last week skewed his stats a bit. Without that run, Banyard averages just 2.8 yards per carry and just one TD. Leilyon Meyers is UTEP's other back, who averages about 3.4 yards per carry and 3 TDs. He didn't perform much against Stony Brook, but his other games have shown more consistent play.

Receivers - Having inconsistency at the quarterback position makes it hard for receivers to gather stats, but leading receiver Mike Edwards has a respectable 244 receiving yards, but no touchdowns, his longest catch was a 42-yard reception against NMSU last week. Right behind Edwards on the chart sits Donavon Kemp, whose eleven catches have averaged over 19 yards per reception. The worry for the Miners, however, will be who's on the other end of these passes.

Aside from some inconsistency on offense, UTEP will have to worry about USF's defense, mainly the D-Line. The Miners' offensive line has been pretty porous in its three games, and a fast USF defensive front may give UTEP a lot of trouble in the backfield. This game should be a polish-up game for the Bulls, who will begin preparing for a short week at Pitt immediately following this game.