After a dramatic 31-17 fourth quarter comeback victory against Tulane last week, SMU is back in the Conference USA title mix and could become bowl eligible with their sixth win of the season this weekend.The Mustangs will take on the UTEP Miners in a pivotal Conference USA game at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Saturday at 8:05 p.m.
In 2009, the Miners finished with a 4-8 record overall and a 3-5 record in conference play. UTEP has already eclipsed the number of wins they had last year by starting the season off 5-1. However, the Miners have lost three straight games including last week’s tough 16-12 loss to Marshall.
Last year’s contest between SMU and UTEP came down to the wire and saw the Mustangs prevail 35-31 after scoring the game winning touchdown with four minutes remaining in the game.
In that game, SMU quarterback Kyle Padron threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a pair of scores. UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe also had a tremendous day, passing for 396 yards and two touchdowns.
The Miners racked up 627 total yards, outgaining the Mustangs by nearly 200 yards. However, the Ponies were able to escape with the victory and clinch the first bowl eligible season since the death penalty was enacted.
UTEP is 4-1 at home this season while the SMU is 2-2 on the road. The Mustangs are in the same situation as last year; if they win this game, they have the potential of a bowl game appearance.
Offensively, both teams are ranked in the top 60 in total yards and passing yards. The Mustangs are in the top 30 in both categories. Both teams have also been running the ball well and are averaging over 145 yards per game.
Padron has been solid this year, passing for 2,490 yards and 22 touchdowns. Padron threw for 354 yards and one touchdown and also added another score on the ground against Tulane.
For his efforts against the Green Wave, Padron was named the Manning Award Star of the Week. Padron currently leads Conference USA in pass efficiency and his 22 touchdown passes rank third nationally. He also ranks fifth nationally in passing yards and has a quarterback rating of 138.8.
Padron has three solid wide receivers to throw the ball to. Aldrick Robinson leads the receiving corps with 41 receptions for 863 yards and nine touchdowns. The senior is averaging 21 yards per reception and is ranked eighth nationally in receiving yards.
Junior Cole Beasley has not been too bad himself. He has caught 46 passes for 583 yards and five touchdowns on the season. Finally, Darius Johnson has been yet another explosive offensive weapon for the Mustangs. Johnson has 55 receptions for 718 yards and five touchdowns.
Vittatoe is on pace to shatter every Miner passing record in school history. The four year field general has passed for over 3,000 yards every year since he’s been at UTEP.
Vittatoe may be a familiar face to SMU fans considering he played his high school football in the DFW area and won a state title his senior year at Euless Trinity.
On the season, the senior has thrown for 2,077 yards and 16 touchdowns including 229 yards and one touchdown against Marshall last week.
The Mustangs were able to find a ground game this year behind running back Zach Line who has rushed for 918 yards and seven touchdowns. The sophomore was very impressive last week, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively both teams are surrendering an average of over 22 points per contest. The Mustangs allowed a season high 45 points to Houston two weeks ago in their only conference loss.
The Miners are led by linebacker Isaiah Carter who sat out last season due to academic reasons. This season, Carter is back and currently leads the team in tackles with 67 and also has one interception and a forced fumble.
The Mustangs are led by sophomore linebacker Taylor Reed currently leads the team with 91 tackles including 67 solos and 1 fumble recovery. Reed had a 20 tackle game against Navy earlier this year.
Look for a high scoring affair in this game as both teams seek their magical sixth victory of the year.
