UTEP Demolish UL-Monroe To Move To 3-1

The last time a UTEP football team started a season 3-1 or better? 2010.

As if the 2020 season couldn’t get any weirder, Dana Dimel’s UTEP Miners are making the most of their opportunities early in the season. In a home bout against the ULM Warhawks on Saturday, the Miners ran away with a 31-6 victory.

UTEP’s offense racked up 512 total yards compared to just 193 by the Warhawks. Quarterback Gavin Hardison went 13 of 25 through the air for 302 yards. Running back Deion Hankins also continued his hot run of form with 22 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Ronald Awatt also added a score on the ground.

ULM struggled to find anything resembling their stride, particularly in the first half. Colby Suits and Jahquan Bloomfield did not hook up for the team’s only score until the third quarter.

While two of UTEP’s four games to date have been against FCS opponents, they find themselves with the second-best scoring defense in C-USA after four games with an average of 21 points allowed per game. Marshall are far ahead in first in that category with just 3.5 points allowed per game.

Of note for UTEP’s offense to this point in the season, receivers Jacob Cowing and Justin Garrett hold the two highest receiving yardage totals in the conference currently with 487 and 344 respectively. The Miners’ passing game has accomplished this despite only scoring once through the air thus far.

This all being said, the season is obviously far from over.

UTEP now have a solid two weeks until their next game, which will be the start of their conference slate. They will face Louisiana Tech in Ruston on Saturday, October 10.

ULM will stay home to take on Georgia Southern on October 3.