The Longest Three Feet: A NCAA 12 Dynasty

[Knickerbocker91]

New Mexico State Aggies (0-2) at UTEP Miners (1-0)
September 17, 2011
Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, TX

All-Time Matchup Record: UTEP 43-27-1
Last Meeting: 2010, UTEP (home) W 42-10
Last New Mexico State Win: 2008, 34-33 at UTEP

Game Preview

Due to scheduling conflicts with the conference movements that occurred at the beginning of the season, UTEP gets back to back home games in the nearly annual matchup with New Mexico State (the Aggies will be the home team next year). The Aggies and Miners always provide a great match-up, though in the last two season UTEP blew New Mexico out of the water behind the arm of Trevor Vittatoe.

With him gone, UTEP shocked the nation two weeks ago by defeating #25 Arizona State on their home turf in Tempe. Now they return home for their MWC opener against a team who has not had the same successful start this season. New Mexico State fell 42-32 in the season opener vs Nevada, then lost 28-7 last week at the hands of Minnesota.

NMSU's QB Matt Christian has not had a great start to the season, already throwing for 6 interceptions and completing just 34% of his passes. Should make things an easy one for UTEP's pass defense to bounce back on after giving up 412 yards through the air to Arizona State.

Prediction: UTEP 34, New Mexico State 14

[JLWebb]

Can't start a 2011 season any better than a Top 25 upset! Nice!

[waytofailself]

Very nice screen shots and great first win to start the season. Hopefully you can keep the ball rolling and hit 2-0.

[Knickerbocker91]

Quote: Originally Posted by JLWebb

Can't start a 2011 season any better than a Top 25 upset! Nice!

Thanks. Like I said earlier, I never really thought I was going to beat them. They got off to a slow start so I always had in the back of my head that they would eventually make a comeback. But you're right, nothing better than kicking off the season with an upset.

Quote: Originally Posted by waytofailself

Very nice screen shots and great first win to start the season. Hopefully you can keep the ball rolling and hit 2-0.

Thanks. I'm the favorite in the New Mexico State game, so I gotta make sure I don't blow it lol. I'm actually about to play the game now, I'll update in a couple hours or so.

[mm boost]

hey bro, finally caught up and I must say I really enjoy this dynasty. I will be following from now on. I figured since you followed mine closely, that you had a good eye for a solid dynasty - I was right. Congrats on the big upset win over Arizona State. Osweiler pretty much handed you guys the win. I am sure you was in absolute shock that they out-manned you, but in the end, still held on for the win.

[Knickerbocker91]

New Mexico State Aggies (0-2) at UTEP Miners (1-0)
September 17, 2011 - Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, TX



SPECIAL DELIVERY

El Paso, TX -- Offense?! We don't need no stinkin' offense.

Those may well have been the words from the UTEP coaches as despite the absolute atrocious performance the Miners offense displayed, it wasn't even needed as UTEP dropped New Mexico State 35-21 in yet another chapter on the Battle of I-10 rivalry.

UTEP played a game that Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer would have been proud of, scoring on an interception return, a missed field goal attempt, and twice on kickoffs.

"It's great to have a game like this." said UTEP head coach Mike Price. "It lets us know anyone of these players can score at any given time. And that will always make us competitive, always make us dangerous to play."

UTEP got on the board as New Mexico State missed a 57 yard field goal attempt that fell short of the goal posts into the hands of Julio Lopez, who returned it 98 yards for the score.

Matt Christian tied things up on the ensuing drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Taveon Rogers. Christian completed just 9-of-17 passes for 116 yards before being knocked out of the game in the third quarter with an abdominal tear that will sideline him for two weeks. Tanner Rust played in relief on Christian and threw for 83 yards on 6-of-12 passing.

Cornerback Travon Nixon took the kickoff that came after the Aggies touchdown and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown giving UTEP back the lead. The Miners extended there lead to 21-7 as Christian was picked off by Drew Thomas, who returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.

Austin Franklin added a late touchdown in the second to keep the game close, and despite the halftime deficit New Mexico State felt that they had a great chance of winning the game.

UTEP had -2 yards of total offense (-18 rushing, 16 passing) at halftime, but had three touchdowns and a seven point lead. Quarterback Carson Meger completed just one pass in the first half, while halfback Joe Banyard had three yards on four carries.

The Miners decided to put some emphasis in the running game to kick off the third and it paid off as UTEP pushed around the Aggie defense. Banyard racked up a decent amount of yards in the third quarter before having to leave the game at the end of the period with an abdominal strain that kept him out for the rest of the game.

Vernon Frazier came in to relieve Banyard, and did he ever step up in his efforts.

Frazier would be the player who would seal the game, returning a kickoff 97 yards in the fourth quarter for a touchdown. Frazier's 112 total kick return yards and his touchdown earned him player of the game honors.

UTEP, now 2-0, will stay in El Paso for another rivalry game next week as they welcome the 1-1 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. Tulsa has had two weeks to prepare for this game, after starting the season with a 34-17 loss to #1 Oklahoma followed by a 43-40 win over Tulane. They are led by senior quarterback GJ Kinne, who has thrown for 732 yards and 5 touchdowns this season.

UTEP 35, New Mexico State 21

UTEP
Carson Meger: 4-for-14, 80 yards, TD, INT
Joe Banyard: 11 carries, 38 yards
Vernon Frazier: 6 carries, 27 yards, 112 KR yards, KR TD
Corey Tisby: 2 catches, 55 yards, TD
(Russell Carr, Kevin Perry had other receptions)
Drew Thomas: 5 tackles, 1 assisted, INT
Germard Reed: 3 tackles, 2 sacks
Travon Nixon: 2 tackles, 2 assisted, pass deflected, 111 KR yards, KR TD

New Mexico State
Matt Christian: 9-for-17, 116 yards, TD, INT
Tanner Rust: 6-for-12, 83 yards
Kenny Turner: 12 carries, 47 yards, 4 catches, 65 yards
Austin Franklin: 2 catches, 22 yards, 3 carries, 53 yards, rushing TD
Taveon Rogers: 4 catches, 91 yards, TD
Tommy Stuart: 4 tackles, 1 assisted
Pierre Fils: 2 tackles, 4 assisted, 2 sacks
Jonte Green: 1 tackle, INT, 2 passes deflected

CB Travon Nixon brings back a kickoff for a TD

WR Corey Tisby scores the only offensive TD for UTEP


Germard Reed picks up one of his two sacks


QB Carson Meger had a rough day getting anything going in the passing game

[Knickerbocker91]

UTEP RECRUITING NEWS

UTEP announced today that another two recruits have committed to playing football in El Paso next season. DE Tyrone McKinney (#103 DE) of Baytown, TX and QB Emmanuel Humphrey (#96 QB) of Midland, TX committed last week. Both players are listed as 3-star recruits.

McKinney, a 6-1 224 pound end was also debating between Houston and Baylor before signing with UTEP. He is considered to be a run stopper which seems to be a good fit for UTEP's current defensive troubles. McKinney will more than likely line up on the right defensive end spot, backing up junior Justin Cordova with Bernard Obi graduating this season.

Humphrey is a 6-2, 217 pound player who is considered to be balanced in his passing and running skills, but tends to be more of a pocket passer than a scrambler. Humphrey has Kansas and Texas A&M on his list, but after coming to the realization playing time would be scarce there he felt he had a better shot with UTEP. If he proves to be better than current QBs Javia Hall (57 OVR) and redshirt Blaire Sullivan (54 OVR), he'll have a legitimate shot of starting in two years (Carson Meger is a redshirt sophomore and Tate Smith is a senior).

[Knickerbocker91]

NCAA FOOTBALL WEEK 4



Week 4 Top 25 Scores


#1 Oklahoma 38, #7 Florida State 10
EJ Manuel completes just 7-of-22 passes for 70 yards under pressure of Sooners D - Landry Jones throws for 301 yards, 4 TDs

#2 Oregon 48, FCS Midwest 0


Arizona 31, #3 Stanford 27
Nick Foles throws for 355 yards, 3 TDs and Andrew Luck is intercepted twice in fourth quarter in upset in Arizona


#4 Ohio State 31, Miami (FL) 14
Buckeyes D hold QB Jacory Harris to 6-of-23 passing, 3 INTs

#5 Boise State 35, Toledo 10
#6 Texas A&M 51, Rice 24
#8 LSU 29, Mississippi State 24
#9 Alabama 27, Rutgers 17
#11 TCU 38, UL Monroe 16


#13 Nebraska 25, Indiana 6
Cornhuskers win first Big Ten conference game behind 329 total yards, 2 total TDs from QB Taylor Martinez

#14 Virginia Tech 35, Arkansas State 0
#15 Oklahoma State 40, North Texas 7
#16 Arkansas 38, Troy 27
#17 Florida 13, Tennessee 7
#18 Wisconsin 45, Northern Illinois 7


Michigan 34, #19 Notre Dame 29
Michigan end Notre Dame's 3 game win streak with GW TD with 1:10 left, QB Denard Robinson picks ups 388 total yards, 4 total TDs in win


Navy 31, #20 South Carolina 28
HB Marcus Lattimore's 179 rushing yards (9.9 YPC) not enough to save Gamecocks from upset

#22 NC State 38, FCS Southeast 7


#23 Penn State 14, Temple 13
Nittany Lions avoid upset with TD scores with :54 left

#24 Georgia 48, FCS Southeast


Maryland 35, #25 West Virginia 21
Maryland scores 28 unanswered points - all in the 4th quarter - to kick West Virginia out of Top 25

Week 4 Mountain West Scores

#5 Boise State 35, Toledo 10
#11 TCU 38, UL Monroe 16
Texas Tech 40, New Mexico 12
Utah 42, BYU 16
Colorado 45, Colorado State 14
Bowling Green 27, Wyoming 20

Week 4 Players of the Week
National
Offense: QB Alex Carder, Western Michigan
25-for-30, 315 yards, 8 TDs in 64-31 win at Central Michigan
Defense: DT Chris Jones, Bowling Green
2 tackles (2 for loss), 2 assisted, sack, forced fumble, fumble recovered in 27-20 win vs Wyoming

Mountain West
Offense: QB Matt Brown, TCU
16-for-27, 204 yards, 4 TDs in 38-16 win vs UL Monroe
Defense: SS George Iloka, Boise State
3 tackles (3 for loss), 2 assisted, sack in 35-10 win at Toledo

Week 5 Top 25 Polls (last week in parentheses)
#1 (1) Oklahoma (3-0)
#2 (2) Oregon (3-0)
#3 (4) Ohio State (3-0)
#4 (5) Boise State (2-0)
#5 (6) Texas A&M (2-0)
#6 (8) LSU (3-1)
#7 (9) Alabama (2-1)
#8 (10) Auburn (2-0)
#9 (11) TCU (3-0)
#10 (3) Stanford (2-1)
#11 (12) Michigan State (2-0)
#12 (13) Nebraska (3-0)
#13 (7) Florida State (2-1)
#14 (14) Virginia Tech (3-0)
#15 (15) Oklahoma State (3-1)
#16 (16) Arkansas (3-0)
#17 (17) Florida (3-0)
#18 (18) Wisconsin (2-1)
#19 (21) Oregon State (2-0)
#20 (22) NC State (3-0)
#21 (23) Penn State (3-0)
#22 (NR) Arizona (3-0)
#23 (24) Georgia (2-1)
#24 (19) Notre Dame (3-1)
#25 (NR) Michigan (2-0)

Dropped Out: #20 South Carolina, #25 West Virginia
Outside Looking In: Utah, UCF, Iowa, South Carolina, Mississippi State

Week 5 Top 25 Games

Missouri (2-1) at #1 Oklahoma (3-0,1-0)


#2 Oregon (3-0) at #22 Arizona (3-0, 1-0)
Can #22 Arizona continue their upsets ways against the dual threat of Thomas and James?

Colorado (1-1) at #3 Ohio State (3-0)
#4 Boise State (2-0, 1-0) at UNLV (0-3, 0-1)


#15 Oklahoma State (3-1, 2-0) at #5 Texas A&M (2-0, 1-0)
Last season 73 total points were scored in this game. That number might be topped this go-round.

Western Kentucky (0-3) at #6 LSU (3-1, 1-0)


#16 Arkansas (3-0) at #7 Alabama (2-1)
Alabama's first big game since falling to Penn State is a tough one against Tyler Wilson and the Hogs

Florida Atlantic (0-2) at #8 Auburn (2-0, 1-0)
FCS West at #9 TCU (3-0)


#11 Michigan State (2-0) at #24 Notre Dame (3-1, 3-0)
The Irish get one Michigan team after another, fortunately the Spartans have to come to South Bend - and the Irish are the underdogs

Purdue (2-1) at #12 Wisconsin (3-0, 1-0)
#13 Florida State (2-1) at Clemson (2-1, 0-1)
#14 Virginia Tech (3-0) at Marshall (0-3, 0-2)
#17 Florida (3-0, 1-0) at Kentucky (3-0)
FCS West at #18 Wisconsin (2-1, 1-0)
UCLA (2-1) at #19 Oregon State (2-0)
#20 NC State (3-0, 1-0) at Cincinnati (2-1)
#23 Georgia (2-1, 1-0) at Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0)
Eastern Michigan (2-0) at #25 Michigan (2-0)

Week 5 Mountain West Games
#4 Boise State (2-0) at UNLV (0-3, 0-1)
FCS West at #9 TCU (3-0)
New Mexico State (0-3, 0-1) at Hawaii (2-1, 1-0)
Colorado State (2-1, 1-0) at Utah State (0-2)
Tulsa (1-1) at UTEP (2-0, 1-0)

Mountain West Conference Standings
UTEP (2-0, 1-0)
Colorado State (2-1, 1-0)
#9 TCU (3-0, 0-0)
#4 Boise State (2-0, 0-0)
Wyoming (0-3, 0-0)
BYU (0-3, 0-0)
New Mexico (0-3, 0-1)
New Mexico State (0-3, 0-1)