After beginning a season 1-4 the jerseys in blue certainly turned things around and came out winners over UTEP 52-24. A trio of freshman led the way on the field for the cougs in Albuquerque. Quarterback Jake Heaps was polished like a champion today despite playing with a fractured rib. The BMOC (big men on campus also known as the OL) did not allow a single sack and gave Sir Jake time to systematically carve up the miner defense. Heaps connected on 25 of 34 for 264 yards with 4 TDs. Three of those went Cody Hoffman's way who finished with 8 receptions for 137 yards as well as 5 returns for 125 yards with a 25 yard average. Joshua "Juice" Quezada got involved with 15 carries moving the chains for 101 yards and a touchdown. The cougs offensive machine rolled UTEP for 514 yards on 86 plays. About the only play the jerseys in blue may have missed on the day was the ceremonial waterjug dousing of Bronco Mendenhall.
It wasn't just the offense that dominated. The defense held their ground limiting the miners to -12 yards for the game. Yes, you read that correctly negative 12 yards while forcing three turnovers and 6 punts. Senior Andrew Rich, a former walkon grabbed two of those picks himself who closes out a tremendous career.
Couple areas of concern upon observation even in a blowout. The jerseys in blue were burned all too often by the deep ball particularly by Kris Adams ending in miner scores of 67, 37 and 49 yards. The special teams also were at times anything but special when the cougs allow Marlon McClure an average of 41 yards on his 3 returns. When games are often won over field position that can't be good. Those things will certainly be addressed. Overall, the cougs collectively only lose a small portion on the two deep to graduation. The jerseys in blue have some amazing talent, confidence, experience, and some momentum to vault its program boldly to independence as a band of brothers.
Photo credit goes to Ravell Call/Deseret News
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