Miscues Haunt Miners in Loss to Memphis

By Hugo Guzman  |   Sunday, October 02, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Heisman hopeful DeAngelo Williams rushed for 236 yards, and UTEP turned over the ball four times inside the Memphis 25-yard line on Saturday as the Tigers upset the previously unbeaten Miners, 27-20, at the Liberty Bowl.
UTEP was denied its first 4-0 start since 1987, dropping to 3-1 on the season. The Tigers evened their record at 2-2 in the first-ever meeting in football between the schools.

Jordan Palmer completed 23 of 53 passes for 431 yards for UTEP. The Miners outgained the Tigers in total offense 505 to 374, but were dominated in the time of possession line 36:04 to 23:56.

Reagan Schneider gave UTEP a 3-0 lead on a 45-yard field goal with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter. He improved to 5-for-5 on field goal attempts of 40 yards or more this season, and 13-for-16 for his career.

Schneider's 24-yard field goal with 13:29 remaining in the second quarter extended the Miners' lead to 6-0.

Memphis took its first lead at 7-6 on a 43-yard pass from Maurice Avery to Ryan Scott with 10:30 to go in the half. It was the first career touchdown pass for Avery, a wide receiver.

The Miners turned the ball over twice inside the Memphis 25-yard line in the first half – once on a Palmer interception and later on a bad snap by center Andy Smith.

Memphis marched down the field to start the second half, but UTEP's defense stiffened inside the red zone and the Tigers had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski for a 10-6 lead.

The Miners committed their third miscue inside the Tiger 25-yard line with 3:48 left in the third quarter, when Palmer was sacked and fumbled the ball at the 16-yard line.

Memphis capitalized on the very next play, as Williams busted loose for a 74-yard touchdown run and a 17-6 lead.

The Miners scored their first touchdown of the night on their next drive, pulling to within 17-12 on a one-yard run by Tyler Ebell with 1:27 remaining in the third period. The run punctuated a seven-play, 74-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The Miners got the ball back with a chance to draw closer, but Ebell fumbled at the 15-yard line. Memphis scored again on a 24-yard field goal by Gostkowski with 4:51 to play for a 20-12 advantage.

A 29-yard TD pass from Palmer to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. and ensuing two-point conversion tied the game at 20 with 4:01 to go.

The Miner defense got the ball back in the offense's hands. However Palmer's pass intended for Joe West was picked off by Derrek Clenin giving Memphis the ball on UTEP's nine yard line. Two plays later, Williams put the Tigers up 27-20 with :50 seconds remaining.

UTEP had one last chance, but Palmer threw his third interception of the evening with :32 seconds remaining.

The Miners are off this week and will return to action on Friday, Oct. 14 when they face Tulane in Ruston, La. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Tulane improved to 2-1 with a 28-21 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday in Baton Rouge. The Green Wave hosts Houston next weekend in Lafayette.

Game Notes
The start of the game was delayed by 40 minutes due to lightning and rain in the area ... Chris Francies extended his streak of games with a catch to 37 early in the first quarter ... Palmer threw an interception on UTEP's opening possession for the second consecutive game ... Palmer's first three completions went to Francies ... UTEP had three receivers with over 100 yards for the first time in school history – Francies, Boyd and Higgins. It was the fifth career 100-yard game for Higgins, third for Boyd and second for Francies ... Francies left the game late in the third quarter with an unknown injury ... UTEP has allowed one touchdown total in the first quarter in its last eight games ... the Miners have outscored opponents 22-3 in the first quarter this season ... UTEP trailed at the half for the third consecutive game, a first under Mike Price. The Miners went on to win the previous two games, 44-41 over Houston and 21-13 over New Mexico ... senior Aaron Givens recorded his first catch of the season early in the fourth quarter.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report