2006 UTEP Miners Season, Game Recaps, Scores and Reviews
Nov. 25
Memphis 38 ... UTEP 19
Joe Doss scored three touchdowns and T.J. Pitts and Earnest
Williams added short scoring runs as Memphis shocked UTEP. The Miner
offense turned it over four times and only gained 16 rushing yards being
stuck in comeback mode for most of the second half. The Tigers were only
up 10-6 at halftime but exploded for 28 second half points. UTEP got two
Daniel Robinson touchdown catches in the second half with a 55-yard
strike coming with just over five minutes to play. Player of the game
... Memphis
RB Joseph Doss ran 28 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns and caught
three passes for 15 yards Stat Leaders: UTEP- Passing: Jordan Palmer, 22-37,
307 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 5-16 Receiving: Daniel
Robinson, 6-112, 2 TD Memphis - Passing: Martin Hankins, 16-26, 218 yds
Rushing: Joseph Doss, 28-82, 3 TD Receiving: Duke
Calhoun, 5-129 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The team that should've been getting ready
for the Conference USA title, and at least should've been starting to
make preparations for a bowl game, ended yet another season on a
disastrous note losing five of the last six and bottoming out with a
loss to a Memphis team that hadn't beaten a D-I team. Where did
everything go wrong? The defense wasn't timely, the offense lacked the
offensive punch with Marcus Thomas not living up to the billing, and
Jordan Palmer not able to carry the attack. This is easily Conference
USA's most disappointing team.
Nov. 18
Marshall 49 ... UTEP 21
Ahmad Bradshaw ran wild rolling up 261 yards and five
touchdowns scoring from six, 25, seven, two and two yards out as
Marshall became bowl eligible. UTEP outgained the Herd 401 yards to 394,
but got rolled on the ground 259 yards to 25 and was never in it after
the first quarter. The Herd also got a 42-yard Court Edmonson touchdown
catch and a two-yard Cody Slate run, but it was Bradshaw's day
controlling the tempo and the clock averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Jordan Palmer ran for a one-yard score and hooked up with Johnnie Lee
Higgins on a 65-yard touchdown pass, but threw three interceptions. Player of the game
...
Marshall RB Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 261 yards and five touchdowns on 40
carries. Stat Leaders: UTEP- Passing: Jordan Palmer, 33-47,
376 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs Rushing: Donald Buckram, 4-33 Receiving: Chris Marrow,
9-79 Marshall - Passing: Jimmy Skinner, 5-13, 135 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Ahmad Bradshaw, 40-261, 5 TDs Receiving: Cody
Slate, 3-82 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Five turnovers and no run defense killed
UTEP against Marshall and likely ruined any bowl hopes. The Miners,
barring a total collapse, should be able to beat an awful Memphis team
next week, but with the way the team is dying at the end for yet another
year under Mike Price. Jordan Palmer had to press because the run
defense didn't do anything to slow down Ahmad Bradshaw giving up yards
in chunks, and he made mistakes. The offense has to get up early on
Memphis so the offense can relax.
Nov. 10
UTEP 36 ... UAB 17
Jordan Palmer threw four touchdown passes with two to Johnnie
Lee Higgins including a 79-yard play and a four-yard pass in the fourth
quarter to pull away. Corey White caught a four-yard touchdown pass and
ran for a nine-yard score for UAB, but the big-play Miner passing game
proved to be too much to overcome. Higgins added an eight-yard touchdown
run late in the first half and Palmer connected with Donald Buckram for
an 80-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Player of the game ...
UTEP QB Jordan Palmer completed 24 of 38 passes for 447 yards and four
touchdowns Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 12-21, 223 yds, 2
INT Rushing: Corey White, 7-41, 1 TD Receiving: Willie Williams,
6-130 UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 24-38, 447 yds, 4 TD Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 11-9 Receiving: Johnnie Lee Higgins,
9-173, 2 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
There's no running game to speak of with Marcus Thomas having no room to
move, but Jordan Palmer is red hot with eight touchdown passes an no
interceptions in his last two games. UAB wasn't able to get enough
consistent offense to overcome the UTEP big plays, and there was no
answer for Johnnie Lee Higgins, who had to have fired up the NFL scouts
even more. The Miners are back in the hunt for a bowl game needing to
beat either Marshall or Memphis to be eligible, but probably needing to
beat both to get a 13th game.
Nov. 4
Rice 37 ... UTEP 31
Rice jumped out to a 30-10 halftime lead and then hung on for
deal life as Jordan Palmer bombed away for threw second half touchdowns
with two going to Daniel Robinson. Just when UTEP got hot, Rice
controlled the ball going on a 7:30 drive to close out the game after a
26-yard pass to Robinson got the Miners within six. Quinton Smith scored
twice in the second quarter and ran for a 21-yard score in the third for
the Owls, while Chase Clement threw three touchdown passes including a
34-yarder to Jarrett Dillard.
Player of the game ...
Rice RB Quinton Smith ran 31 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns and
caught four passes for 72 yards and a score. Stat Leaders: Rice - Passing: Chase Clement, 19-26, 233 yds,
3 TD Rushing: Quinton Smith, 31-171, 2 TD Receiving: Tommy
Henderson, 6-51, 1 TD UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 16-33, 315 yds, 4 TD Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 11-77 Receiving: Daniel Robinson,
4-97, 2 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
UTEP simply can't put it all together. It came out flat against Rice,
got down big, and then finally started to find its groove when it was
too late. On a rough three-game losing streak, now the Miners have to
win two of their final three just to get bowl eligible, and
realistically, have to win all three against UAB, Marshall and Memphis
to get an at-large bid. The defense has to be more consistent and Jordan
Palmer has to put together a full 60 minutes. Just when Palmer found his
groove in the second half, the D couldn't get a stop. The team quickly
has to get focused to avoid a total meltdown like last year.
Oct. 27
Tulsa 30 ... UTEP 20
Down 20-6 in the third quarter after UTEP struck with a
69-yard touchdown pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Tulsa scored the final 23
points with Paul Smith hitting Don Johnson with a four-yard touchdown
pass, Courtney Tennial rushing for a one-yard score, and Chris
Chamberlain picking off a Jordan Palmer pass for a 25-yard touchdown to
take the lead for good. UTEP got two Reagan Schneider field goals and a
Marcus Thomas touchdown on the way to the early lead. Jarod Tracy kicked
three field goals for the Golden Hurricane.
Player of the game ...
Tulsa LB Chris Chamberlain led the team with seven tackles and turned the
game around with an interception for a score. Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 16-23, 176 yds,
1 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Courtney Tennial, 23-83, 1 TD Receiving: Idris
Moss, 5-75 UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 21-37, 253 yds, 1
TD, 1 INT Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 9-27, 1 TD Receiving: Johnnie Lee
Higgins, 10-153, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The loss to Tulsa crushed any Conference USA title hopes with a
disappointing second half after being unable to capitalize on the
momentum of a big Johnnie Lee Higgins touchdown catch. Jordan Palmer's
solid first half didn't carry over, and while he limited mistakes, his
one bad interception killed Miners. Now it's about getting in range for
one of the league's at-large bowl bids and avoiding letting the big
losses over the last two weeks to Houston and Tulsa kill the team's
energy.
Oct. 21
Houston 34 ... UTEP 17
UTEP got up early with two first half Marcus Thomas touchdown
plunges, but Houston rallied back closing out with 24 unanswered points
with two Anthony Aldridge touchdown runs and a 37-yard scoring grab from
Donnie Avery. Kevin Kolb threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Roy Otis in
the second quarter, and Ben Bell connected on field goals from 35 and 42
yards out.
Player of the game ...
Houston QB Kevin Kolb completed 20 of 30 passes for 208 yards and two
touchdowns with an interception and ran nine times for 54 yards. Stat Leaders: Houston - Passing: Kevin Kolb, 20-30, 208 yds,
2 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Anthony Aldridge, 11-73, 2 TD Receiving: Vincent
Marshall, 6-56 UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 19-30, 206 yds, 1
INT Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 12-47, 2 TD Receiving: Johnnie Lee
Higgins, 6-122 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Where was the offense against Houston? If UTEP can do anything, its bomb
away, but Jordan Palmer only threw for 206 yards and there wasn't nearly
enough of a running game to help things out. It's only the team's first
loss in Conference USA play, but now the team has to come up with a win
at Tulsa on Friday and get past three road games in the next four weeks.
To win, the offense has to get its passing game back on track after
missing over the last few weeks.
Oct. 14
UTEP 34 ... Tulane 20
Tulane outgained UTEP 481 yards to 365, but five turnovers and
a problem in the second quarter slowing down Jordan Palmer proved too
much to overcome. Palmer threw three touchdown passes and Johnnie Lee
Higgins score from 39 yards out and returned a punt 88 yards for a
score. Down 34-6, Tulane had a nice fourth quarter with two Matt Forte
touchdown runs, but it was way too much, too late. The two teams
combined for 18 penalties for 162 yards. Player of the game ... UTEP QB Jordan Palmer completed
22 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns Stat Leaders: Rice- Passing: Jordan
Palmer, 22-29, 230 yds, 3 TD Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 16-79. Receiving:
Johnnie Lee Higgins, 4-68, 1 TD Tulane - Passing: Lester Ricard, 27-49,
248 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Matt Forte, 16-141, 1 TD Receiving:
Preston Brown, 11-98 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Isn't it amazing what happens
when you win the turnover battle? After having problems with
interceptions throughout his career, Jordan Palmer hasn't thrown a pick
in the last two games and was nearly flawless in the win over Tulane.
The defense got huge days out of Josh Ferguson and Bryant Tisdale, and
now they're going to have to be just as strong to keep Kevin Kolb and
Houston in check next week.
Oct. 7
UTEP 24 ... SMU 21
UTEP got a 27-yard touchdown pass from RB Marcus Thomas to Dan
Robinson midway through the fourth quarter to take the lead, and then
the Miner defense held on wiping off two late drives with interceptions.
The Miners got out to a 17-0 start on a 12-yard pass to Joe West and a
63-yard punt return for a score from Johnnie Lee Higgins, but SMU, who
was without suspended QB Justin Willis, came up with a 21 point second
half run with two Corey Slater touchdown passes along with an 80-yard
Jonathan Lindley fumble recovery for a score. Joe Sturdivant made 16
tackles for the Mustangs. Player of the game ... UTEP QB Jordan Palmer completed
25 of 34 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown. Stat Leaders: SMU- Passing: Corey
Slater, 10-20, 132 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT Rushing: DeMyron Martin, 17-55. Receiving:
Bobby Chase, 3-32, 1 TD UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 25-34, 271
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 24-59 Receiving:
Johnnie Lee Higgins, 6-62 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Did UTEP let up against SMU, who was
without QB Justin Willis, and have problems in the second half because
it thought it could coast? The offense hasn't been consistent enough and
the D seems to go through lapses way too many times. Marcus Thomas is
having way too many problems finding holes to run though, but the
offense was able to hold on to the ball for over 38 minutes and come
through with the game-winning drive it had to have. Somehow, Johnnie Lee
Higgins needs the ball in his hands at least ten times a game.
Sept. 30
UTEP 44 ... New Mexico State 38
The two teams combined for 1,110 yards with NMSU's Chase
Holbrook throwing for 506 yards and UTEP's Jordan Palmer throwing for
three, but it was an Emeri Spence interception of Holbrook to finally
end the offensive shot. UTEP took a 17-0 first quarter lead highlighted
by a 71- yard touchdown catch from Johnnie Lee Higgins, but NMSU slowly
chipped its way back until tying it up late in the third quarter on a
19-yard A.J. Harris scoring grab. UTEP controlled the fourth quarter
with two Reagan Schneider field goals and a six-yard score from Higgins,
but the Aggies wouldn't go away before getting stopped on their final
drive. Player of the game ... UTEP WR Johnnie Lee Higgins
caught seven passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns Stat Leaders: UTEP- Passing: Jordan
Palmer, 18-26, 414 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing: Marcus Thomas 18-81, 1 TD. Receiving:
Johnnie Lee Higgins, 7-223, 3 TD NMSU - Passing: Chase Holbrook, 48-73,
506 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jeremiah Williams, 15-90. Receiving: A.J.
Harris, 10-129, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
At least now UTEP knows the offense works.
The secondary didn't have a prayer of slowing down New Mexico State's
passing game, but Jordan Palmer kept his mistakes to just two
interceptions and scoring and scoring on the Aggies. Johnnie Lee Higgins
once again established himself as a pro prospect worth watching making
several big plays, while RB Marcus Thomas had one of his more effective
games yet. Now all the parts have start working in Conference USA play.
Sept. 23
New Mexico 26 ... UTEP 13
New Mexico came up with five sacks of UTEP QB Jordan Palmer
and got several other pressures to throw off the Miner offense all game
long. The Lobo offense got a huge rushing day from Rodney Ferguson along
with an eight-yard touchdown catch to start off the scoring. Marcus
Smith caught an 18-yard scoring pass on the way to a 19-0 first half
lead for all the points the Lobos would need. UTEP finally got on the
board with a 36-yard Regan Schneider field goal, but the game was put
away early in the third quarter with a Chris Nelson touchdown run. Player of the game ... New Mexico RB Rodney Ferguson
ran 34 times for 162 yards and caught three passes for five yards and a
touchdown. Stat Leaders: New Mexico- Passing: Chris
Nelson, 9-16, 62 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Rodney Ferguson, 34-162. Receiving:
Marcus Smith, 4-53, 1 TD UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 26-36, 211
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 13-34. Receiving: Chris
Marrow, 7-51 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
UTEP had two weeks off to rest up and
prepare after the crushing loss to Texas Tech, and it came up with a
big-time dud in the loss to New Mexico. Give Jordan Palmer credit for
not throwing an interception despite getting hit all night long by the
Lobo defense, but he didn't connect on any big plays and didn't get any
help from the running game. Now the Miners will go from dealing with the
New Mexico running game to handling the New Mexico State passing attack.
Palmer should get far more time next week.
Sept. 9
Texas Tech 38 ... UTEP 35 OT
Texas Tech won in overtime as Alex
Trlica's 49-yard field goal bounced off the upright and through to end a
crazy game. The Red Raider defense stopped UTEP on the first possession
in OT with an interception by Darcel McBath off a tipped pass, and then
Tech appeared to have the game on on a touchdown catch by Robert
Johnson. It got called back because of a holding call, and then Tech was
moved back even further because of an excessive celebration penalty
called on Johnson. Even so, Trlica came through after missing a 51-yard
kick at the end of regulation with Tech getting two untimed downs,
thanks to penalties, to get into position. The two teams went back and
fourth all game long with Graham Harrell throwing for two scores and
running for one, and Shannon Woods giving Tech a seven point lead late
on a nine-yard run. UTEP tied it up with 1:04 to go on a 39-yard
touchdown from Johnnie Lee Higgins for his second score of the game and
Jordan Palmer's third touchdown pass, but he also threw two key
interceptions. Player of the game ... Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell
completed 40 of 52 passes for 376
yards with two touchdowns and an interception Stat Leaders: UTEP- Passing: Jordan
Palmer, 34-51, 334 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 20-60. Receiving:
Johnnie Lee Higgins, 13-162, 2 TD Texas Tech - Passing:
Graham Harrell, 40-52, 376 yds, 2
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Shannon Woods, 12-83, 1 TD Receiving:
Joel Filani, 10-169, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... UTEP
played its heart out against Texas Tech, but it couldn't capitalize on
the late momentum to make something happen in overtime. Jordan Palmer
came up with a tremendous game hanging punch-for-punch with Graham
Harrell and the Texas Tech offense, but WR Johnnie Lee Higgins was the
real star showing off his speed and skill to up his NFL draft stock even
further. The team has to find a way to get over this disappointment and
concentrate with four very winnable games ahead against New Mexico, New
Mexico State, SMU and Tulane.
Aug. 31
UTEP 34 ... San Diego State 27
UTEP got out to a 27-3 lead in the third quarter helped by an
Alfonso Auelua fumble recovery in the end zone, two Jordan Palmer
touchdown passes and a five-yard scoring run from Marcus Thomas, but San
Diego State played far sharper over the final 20 minutes after
Darren Mougey came in to replace starting quarterback Kevin O'Connell.
Mougey ran for two touchdowns and Lynel Hamilton added a third to get to
within three, but Palmer connected with Jake Sears on a seven-yard
touchdown pass with less then five minutes to go to put the game away. Player of the game ... UTEP LB Troy Collavo made 13
tackles and three tackles for loss Stat Leaders: UTEP- Passing: Jordan
Palmer, 19-28, 205 yds, 3 TD, 4 INT Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 17-24, 1 TD. Receiving:
Johnny Lee Higgins, 6-82, 1 TD San Diego State - Passing: Darren Mougey,
12-16, 178 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Darren Mougey, 13-41, 2 TD. Receiving:
Chaz Schilens, 6-67 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... UTEP got
a solid road win over a San Diego State team fired up in the first game
under new head coach Chuck Long, but there are plenty of things to worry
about before facing Texas Tech. The biggest concern is the running game;
there wasn't any. Marcus Thomas only averaged 1.4 yards per carry and
the team only gained 38 yards. The second issue was Jordan Palmer and
his interceptions. He appeared to pick up where he left off at the end
of last year with four picks and has to do something to be better at
ball security. UTEP has to be able to close better to beat the top
Conference USA teams.
Maybe UTEP should find a way to schedule all its games
before mid-November.
How's this for a bizarre stat? Since 1989, 17 seasons, UTEP is
11-48 in November and 3-28 from November 15th on. Granted, the
Miners stunk in many of those years, and not just in November, but
the last two seasons under Mike Price have to be a bit disturbing.
In 2004, UTEP was enjoying a shocking turnaround season with an 8-2
record going into a final regular season road game against a
mediocre Tulsa team. The Miners lost 37-35, and later lost to
Colorado in the Houston Bowl.
Last season was far worse. At 8-1 and with the Conference USA title,
or at least the West, there for the taking, all UTEP had to do was
win one of its final two games against either UAB or SMU. Neither
team was going anywhere fast, but both beat UTEP before Price's team
got pantsed by Toledo 45-13 in the GMAC Bowl.
For the second straight season, UTEP is
the best team in Conference USA. There's no question that Price can
coach, and the West is the far, far easier of the two divisions.
Now it's time for the turnaround to be
complete.
For all of QB Jordan Palmer's great stats, he imploded over the last few
games having a nightmare of a time with turnovers. The defense somehow
got worse as the year went on despite the emergence of several great
young stars. The special teams were among the best in the conference,
and will be again. The All-Conference USA teams should be loaded with
Miners and several have legitimate pro potential. Yes, talent won't be
an issue.
The offense was too one-sided last year relying on Palmer's arm way too
much. That's not needed with the emergence of top back Marcus Thomas
(although, the team's 2005 meltdown coincided with when Thomas got hot).
The line gets three starters back, Johnnie Lee Higgins leads an explosive
receiving corps, and the defense can't help but be better with everyone
healthy on the line, one of the best safety tandems in the league in Quintin Demps and Joe Fleskoski, and a linebacking corps that could be
even better despite losing NFLer Thomas Howard. The kicking game should
be fantastic.
In other words, there's no excuse for UTEP not to win the Conference USA
title. The program is two full seasons removed from the rock bottom days
and has to be expected to do big things. Of course, even if things go
well, November is lurking just around the corner.
The
Schedule: So who does UTEP play in November? Rice, at UAB, at
Marshall and Memphis. That's not an easy road, but
Rice is the only game against a West Division foe. The big battles
against Tulsa and Houston, unfortunately, are on the road within six
days of each other. On the plus side, at least for you trend freaks,
those are the last two games in October. There's a nice stretch of four
games in five weeks early on with what has to be seen as the soft part
of the schedule playing New Mexico State, SMU, and Tulane before dealing
with Houston. Texas Tech comes to El Paso for what should be a fun
shootout.
Best
Offensive Player:
Senior QB Jordan Palmer. For all his faults and all his interceptions,
he's going to put the UTEP passing records into the stratosphere. He
already owns most of the top marks with 7,489 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Now he'll put them out of reach. More importantly, he has to be a
consistent leader who plays well enough to take his team to a title.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior DE Alex Obomese. The 245-pound senior
projects as a linebacker at the next level with the speed to be an
effective pass rusher and the strength to handle himself well against
the run. He has to handle all the pressure of being a marked man this
season by every opposing blocking scheme.
Key player
to a successful season: Palmer. He has the ability to
single-handedly carry the offense. When he's on, the offense can hang
with just about anyone in a shootout. But when he's off, like he was
against Toledo completing 14 of 33 passes, things can get really ugly.
The season
will be a success if ... UTEP wins the Conference USA title. Tulsa might be the league's
best team, but UTEP is hardly going to whither as the second banana
despite away games at Houston and
Tulsa as part of a stretch of four conference road trips in five weeks.
Key game:
Oct. 21 at Houston. The Cougars have as much firepower as the Miners
with a veteran quarterback of its own in Kevin Kolb. The winner of this
game will have the upper hand in the West Division race with UTEP
getting to face Tulsa on national TV six days later.
The Last Time
UTEP…
…played in a bowl game…2005 (GMAC Bowl v. Toledo)
…missed a bowl game…2003
…pitched a shutout…2005 (Texas Southern)
…was shutout…2003 (San Diego State)
…scored 50 points…2004 (SMU)
…went undefeated…never
…won a conference title…2000 (share, WAC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…2005 (Jordan Palmer)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2004 (Howard Jackson)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2000 (Lee Mays)
…had a first-round draft choice…1968 (LB Fred Carr)
