EL PASO -- As the winless Miners (0-4) prepare for UTSA (1-3) this weekend on the road to start C-USA play, head coach Dana Dimel and UTEP will need to work on their offensive approach this week to maintain more consistency.

From falling to one of the worst teams for passing yards per game, to their inefficiency to score, UTEP will have to focus on putting out the right product to try and snap their 16-game losing streak. 

UTEP-UTSA details

Date: Sept. 29, 2018

Location: The Alamodome in San Antonio

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UTEP vs. UTSA will be broadcast on ESPN+.

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UTEP-UTSA preview

Fixing the passing game

Junior quarterback Kai Locksley has undoubtedly solidified himself as the team’s main option for a passer. He took a big step forward this past weekend against NMSU, going 10-for-16 through the air for 194 passing yards and a touchdown. 

Prior to that, Locksley threw for just 39 yards against Tennessee in their 24-0 loss.  And as of now, UTEP is ranked 114th in the nation in passing yards per game (120.8). 

So which passing game will come out Saturday? If Locksley can get in his groove and have another receiver pop a long touchdown play—like Terry Juniel’s 76 yard touchdown catch—then the Miners will be in shape. But if UTSA holds UTEP on the ground and forces them to throw the ball deep, the Miners will be in trouble. 

“I thought he played with a fast twitch to him,” Dimel said during his weekly press conference. “His speed and athleticism is showing. Rushed for over 100 yards and made some nice passes. The vertical to Terry was good. He had some nice passes. Multiple guys with 100 yards because you’re hitting at different angles for attacks.” 

Scoring points early and timely

UTEP is currently the worst in the nation for points scored, averaging just 13.5 points per game. Against the Aggies the Miners made five trips to the red zone, but didn’t score twice on their drives, which could have been enough to beat the Aggies. 

The Miners have been strong on time of possession, so they are able to control the ball and sustain drives, yet they have trouble finishing drives. 

Also, the Miners have yet to lead at any point throughout this year thus far. In fact, the Miners haven’t led in a game since early October last year against Western Kentucky. UTEP is hoping to start off fast and score early so they can fight for a win, not having to constantly fight to come back. 

“I really like the part of the game that we overcame deficits. We’re built to play with a lead and we have to come out and score first. That’ll help us if we can do it,” Dimel said. 

Don’t turn the ball over and commit less penalties

The Miners are already among the worst in the country for their minus-5 turnover margin. They are also committing 1.25 turnovers per game. Beyond just turnovers, the Miners have committed 34 penalties in four games for 258 total yards (64.50 per game).

UTSA on the other hand is one of the least penalized teams in the country, with 37.5 yards per game, which is ranked 12th best in FBS and second best in C-USA. 

“We have consequences for penalties,” Dimel said. “That’s probably something I’ve learned from Bill Snyder. If you want to eliminate a behavior, you have to have consequences. There’s extra penalties for penalties. There’s running, there’s stair steps in the weight room, there’s push-ups out on the practice field. We’re doing all of the reinforcement mechanisms that we can do to try eliminate the behaviors.”