2022 record: 5-7 (-2 wins from 2021) 

Texas Power Poll ranking: 11 of 12  

THE GOOD 

The highpoint of the Miners’ 2022 campaign took place Sept. 23 when UTEP knocked off Boise State, 27-10, at the Sun Bowl. The Miners outrushed Boise State 199 to 84. The secondary only allowed 2.7 yards per attempt as Boise State went 13 of 34 through the air. The success at home became a trend in 2022 with Dana Dimel’s club ending the year 4-2 in El Paso with wins over New Mexico State, Boise State, FAU, and FIU. 

The rush defense was also a bright spot in a five-win season. The linebacker duo of Tyrice Knight and Cal Wallerstedt tied for the team lead in tackles with 95 each. Wallerstedt, who was an All-Texas member by DCTF, added 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Jadrian Taylor had a breakout season at defensive end with a team-high 9.5 sacks. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown in a road win over Charlotte. 

UTEP allowed 136 rushing yards a game, which was 46th-best in FBS. The passing defense checked in at 50th nationally after allowing 216.5 yards per game through the air. The third down defense was also solid with opponents converting just 34.75 percent of their attempts. The Miners also limited opponents to touchdowns on 56.82 percent of trips into the red zone, which was top 50 in the country. 

The running game, led by a talented offensive line and a duo of running backs, was the most consistent part of the offense. The pair of Ronald Awatt and Deion Hankins combined for 1,435 yards rushing on 303 attempts. The 161.17 yards rushing per game posted by the Miners was 55th-best in America. Offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers was a first-team All-CUSA selection. 

THE BAD 

The first bad omen of the season took place in Week 0 when lightening forced a delay against North Texas in what was supposed to be a sold-out Sun Bowl. Some of the fans never arrived because of the inclement weather, and the team played poorly in the second half to take an early conference loss. The Miners were 1-3 by mid-September with a loss to New Mexico as the low point of the season. 

The passing game regressed without star receivers Jacob Cowing and Justin Garrett. Tywin Smith was a bright spot outside, but inconsistency by quarterback Gavin Hardison eventually forced a change. UTEP ranked 91st nationally with 24.4 points per game. The 217.7 passing yards per outing was 86th nationally. The offensive line allowed 2.69 sacks a game, which was in the bottom third of the FBS. 

THE UGLY 

The offense was dreadful at scoring touchdowns in the red zone. There are 131 teams that play FBS football, and the Miners checked in at 123rd for touchdown percentage in the red zone at 45 percent. The turnover margin was also an issue. The -5 posted by the Miners was 102nd in the country. 

TEAM GRADES

Quarterback: C- 
Running back: B-
Wide receiver/tight end: C
Offensive line: B 
Defensive line: B-
Linebacker: C+ 
Cornerback: C-
Safety: C-

BIGGEST OFFSEASON QUESTION

What is UTEP in the new-look Conference USA? 

This isn’t your older brother’s C-USA. Gone are regular powers such as UTSA and UAB. North Texas and Rice also bailed to the AAC. The Miners get a chance to test the waters in Week 0 with a trip to Jax State on Aug. 26. The familiar foes left on the conference schedule are La Tech, FIU, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee. Long-time rival New Mexico State becomes a conference game. The level of competition, and investment into the program, feels fairer for UTEP. Liberty is the only true outlier. 

WAY TOO EARLY 2023 OUTLOOK 

Unknowns dominate the conversation about UTEP at this point of the year. We’re not sure who emerges as the starting quarterback after Gavin Hardison and Calvin Brownholtz taking a significant number of snaps. The offense must also replace its leading receiver for the second straight season with Smith transferring to Texas A&M. The team’s best offensive lineman – Byers – transferred to Florida State. The defense also lost playmakers such as Wallerstedt. 

Dimel relies on the JUCO market more so than on transfers, so it is harder to know what type of talent he imported into the program over the offseason. To win, the Miners must get back to running the football with success and relying on a stingy defense to keep games low scoring.