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UTEP (0-1)
GAME DAY
OFFENSE
The Miners' offense has the potential to be one of the best in the country. Quarterback Trevor
Vittatoe, who had 257 yards against Buffalo, and wide receivers Jeff Moturi and Kris Adams lead the offense for UTEP. Moturi and Adams have the most combined touchdowns of any pair of receivers with 36. With the return of injured running back Vernon Frazier, the Miners' offense
Vittatoe
will be ready to play on the road. Overall, they have good potential if they can avoid making careless mistakes.
DEFENSE
The defense is what kept UTEP in the game against Buffalo last week. They didn't allow Buffalo to score in the first and fourth quarter and only gave up 309 yards total. Defensive back Da Mon Cromartie-Smith was the highlight of the defense with 18 tackles last week. The defense also saw some promise from first time starters defensive lineman Andrew King and linebacker Jeremy Springer.
Regardless, it wasn't enough to stop the Miners from losing and the defense will face off against a strong Jayhawk offense this week on the road.
Cromartie-Smith
SPECIAL TEAMS
Along with the offense, special teams had some surprising
and disappointing mistakes last week. Miscommunication during a kickoff return put the Miners at their own 1 yard line. Then, a bad snap on a punt attempt resulted in a safety. With mistakes like these, basic fundamentals, UTEP's special teams are looking weak compared to Kansas. Logan Barrett managed a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to
Barrett
being the Miners within one touchdown of the Buffalos.
COACHING
Mike Price has coached the winningest
five year period in history for UTEP, Price brings 40 years of football coaching experience to the table for UTEP but he will have to work with his players to get out the kinks from the Buffalo game.
Price
MOMENTUM
Last week UTEP lost to Buffalo after a slow start riddled with mistakes and penalties. On the other hand, they did rally back to within one point of Buffalo in the second half. If UTEP can keep its errors to a minimum they might be able to hang with the Jayhawks.
Hallie Mann
ill cheer if...
one away early. UTEP is coming off pass to Buffalo.The worst part? It hapf if the Jayhawks can put points on The Miners could feel the effects of
will weep if...
d to contain the pass. Kansas' pass
against spread offenses last season.
o, especially early in the season, if
compete for the Big 12 North title.
Prediction:
Texas 38, UTEP 17
Offense
MINERS STARTING LINEUP
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Trevor Vitattoe 10 Jr.
RB Donald Buckram 3 Jr.
WR Jeff Moturi 6 Sr.
WR Tufick Shadrawy 9 Sr.
WR Kris Adams 2 Jr.
TE Jonny Moore 86 Jr.
T Mike Aguayo 71 Sr.
G Cameron Raschke 78 Sr.
C Tanner Cullumber 79 Jr.
G Rod Huntley 74 Jr.
T Will Osolinsky 54 Jr.
P Greg Hiett 98 Sr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
DE Aaron King 96 Sr.
NT Steve Riddick 95 Sr.
DE Robert Soleyjacks 13 Jr.
OLB Greg Hollerman 42 So.
ILB Brian Wilkins 17 Sr.
OLB Royzell Smith 52 So.
CB Melvin Stephenson 4 Sr.
S Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith 23 Sr.
S DeShawn Grayson 2 Fr.
S Nick Simpson 12 So.
CB Cornelius Brown 47 Sr.
K Logan Barrett 22 F.
AT A GLANCE
Last week UTEP outperformed their opponent in almost every way possible except for scoring. Due to a badly handled second quarter they lost by one point. The Miners have a strong offense and a promising defense awaiting the Jayhawks.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior tailback Donald Buckram
Dorris
playing time last week and proved he can be an asset on offense. Buckram ran for a career high 108 yards in 14 carries for his second. 100 yard running
game. Expect to see him with the ball running against Kansas' defense.
QUESTION MARKS
Will UTEP's offense play up to its potential?
Last week was a poor showing for the Miner's offense but it could turn it around this week if it can capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Can UTEP's Trevor Vittatoe keep up with Kansas' Todd Reesing?
Coach Mike Price praised Reesing as the best quarterback Kansas has ever had but what about his own quarterback? If Price's comments hold true, Vittato is going to be put to shame by Reesing.
BY THE NUMBERS
101 number of yards UTEP gave up in its 12 penalties last week
25
number of seniors on UTEP's roster the most they've had since 2006
58
number of career passing touchdowns thrown by quarterback Trevor Vittatoe
18
number of tackles made by defensive back Da Mon Cromartie-Smith the most in the country last week.
number of wins UTEP has had against Big 12 teams, out of 35 games played
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 11,2009