Now that the Miners have tasted success, they plan to make winning a habit.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

UTEP was one of the league’s big surprises of 2014, improbably returning to the postseason in Sean Kugler’s second year in El Paso. Kugler is off to a great start in shifting the overall culture at his alma mater and making the Miners bigger and more physical on both sides of the ball. But momentum can be fleeting at a school that’s won two league titles in its 100-year history. It’s imperative—for the players, the staff and the entire community—for the Miners to prove on the filed that last season was no one-year fluke.

The Miners snapped a streak of eight consecutive losing seasons in 2014, going 7-5 before losing to Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl. For UTEP, it was a much-needed step in the right direction after years of futility that marked the Mike Price era. But now the program must show that it’s capable of achieving sustained prosperity by doubling down on last season’s surge, and even contending in a Conference USA West Division that’s there for the taking.

UTEP is a very different team than when Kugler returned to El Paso in 2013. The Miners are tougher, both physically and mentally, and in better overall shape. And it showed throughout last year’s 5-2 conclusion to the regular season. But attracting and developing talent and depth remains an ongoing concern for the team.

Topping the offseason to-do list in 2015 will be to determine a new starting quarterback and tweaking a defense that continues to be vulnerable, especially versus quality running games. All eyes are fixed on the three hurlers, Garrett Simpson, Mack Leftwich and Ryan Metz, who are bucking to join star RB Aaron Jones in the backfield.

The high-energy Kugler is off to a nice start in his plan to revive football in El Paso. UTEP now plays with an attitude, fueled by the desire to win games at the line of scrimmage, rather than just out on the perimeter. In 2015, the Miners want to build a little further by making winning and bowling old news in West Texas.

What you need to know about the offense: UTEP under Sean Kugler wants to wear down opponents by grinding out yards with an unforgiving running game. And it’ll do just that, with dynamic RB Aaron Jones navigating the field behind a beefy, up-and-coming O-line and talented FB Darrin Laufasa. But the Miners are targeting more balance this season, some diversification to go along with the big-play ability of Jones. The passing game, though, is an enormous question mark in El Paso, one that could take an entire season to answer. The Miners are not only auditioning quarterbacks to replace Jameill Showers, but all-league LT Jerel Watkins has graduated and the receiving corps is arguably the thinnest and least proven in Conference USA. Adding TE M.J. McFarland, an athletic Texas transfer, provides an infusion of talent, but forcing opposing defenses to respect someone other than Jones figures to be a very tall order. All eyes this offseason have been—and will continue to be—on the trio of quarterback contenders, junior Garrett Simpson, sophomore Mack Leftwich and redshirt freshman Ryan Metz.

What you need to know about the defense: The aggregate numbers from a year ago were shaky. Drilling down, though, reveals that coordinator Scott Stoker’s kids improved dramatically as the season wore on. In fact, through the first six games, UTEP yielded an average of 38 points per game. The final seven? Just 20 points a game. The Miners also cleared a path to the backfield in October and November, carrying out Stoker’s wish to attack opposing backfields with both frequency and ferocity. But while the D will again bring the heat, it must prove it can seal off running lanes and retool the defensive backfield. UTEP, despite its growth in 2014, still gave up 5.2 yards per carry a year ago. And the secondary, which performed surprisingly well, is moving forward without five key contributors. S Devin Cockrell is the mainstay and BYU transfer Trent Trammell should help at cornerback, but the Miners will be forced to use a number of underclassmen on the last line of defense this year.

What to watch for on offense: Mining for a new signal-caller. Two-year starter Jameill Showers exhausted his eligibility, resulting in a heated three-man battle to determine his successor. Junior Garrett Simpson, sophomore Mack Leftwich and redshirt freshman Ryan Metz all got reps in the spring, though Sean Kugler will use up all of his allotted time before anointing a starting quarterback. The 6-7 Simpson and the 5-10 Leftwich have the most experience in the program, but the staff is intrigued by the overall skill set and poise of the 6-4, 205-pound Metz. Stay tuned.

What to watch for on defense: Stoked to collapse the pocket. UTEP defensive coordinator Scott Stoker wants to dictate the tempo of games from the moment his Miners get out of the tunnel. The coach will once again lean heavily on a blitz-heavy scheme that utilizes all of the program’s speed and anticipation from the second and third levels. Stoker will also be bringing momentum and confidence into the 2015 season. After his kids started slowly last season, the light went on, resulting in 55 tackles for loss and 23 sacks over the final eight games.

The team will be far better if … the passing game plays a more prominent role in the offense. Unlike previous Miner teams, this one under Sean Kugler aims to run the ball with authority and assertiveness. That’s fine. But Aaron Jones would be so much tougher to corral if opposing defenses had to worry about the quarterback and his receivers. UTEP ranked last in Conference USA passing a year ago, while completing just 55.4% of its passes.

The Schedule:
– The Miners will be one of the last FBS teams to play a home game in 2015, kicking off the new year with consecutive road games versus Arkansas, Texas Tech and New Mexico State.
– When UTEP finally returns back to El Paso, it ought to feast on Incarnate Word, the lone FCS opponent on the schedule.
– Both of the program’s cross-over road games with the East Division will be long trips, to Miami and Norfolk, Va. to play Florida International and Old Dominion, respectively.
– The Miners have won six in a row over rival New Mexico State in the Battle of I-10, but extending the streak to seven will require a victory in Las Cruces on Sept. 19.
– Both of the team’s key West Division showdowns with Rice and Louisiana Tech are in El Paso and sandwiched between conference road trips.
– WATCH OUT FOR … Old Dominion. Not only will this be one of UTEP’s longest trips of 2015, but it also comes the week after the Rice game and the week before Louisiana Tech heads to the Sun Bowl.

Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Aaron Jones. Jones is the centerpiece of an offense that ran the ball almost 67% of the time in 2014. He does it all for the Miners, shouldering the load on the ground and providing relief in the passing game as a safety valve. And although he’s built like a scatback—and motors like one as well—Jones toted the ball at least 20 times in six of his 12 games a year ago. He’ll be he sparkplug of this program for the next two seasons.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Roy Robertson-Harris. It’s not often that UTEP is home to a defender with a next-level ceiling. But Robertson-Harris is that kind of a player in El Paso entering his senior season. The 6-7, 255-pounder has imposing length, such that he’s able to disrupt the rhythm of a quarterback even when he’s not in the pocket. Robertson-Harris led the 2014 team in tackles for loss, sacks, hurries and forced fumbles, providing the ignition for a pass rush that became increasingly nastier as the 2014 campaign unfolded.

Key player to a successful season: The new quarterback. The staff is happy with the progress of the defense, and the backs will run freely behind a big and physical O-line. But the new quarterback and the passing game are mysteries. While the Miners don’t need Jameill Showers’ successor to be prolific through the air, they do need that player to do a little more than just serve the ball to all-star RB Aaron Jones. If UTEP can move the sticks with more balance this season, it’s capable of competing for Conference USA’s West Division.

The season will be a success if … the Miners raise the bar a little further by winning eight regular season games for the first time since 2005. It’d also be sweet to finally cop a second-tier postseason win, which hasn’t happened in almost half a century. UTEP is capable of making a run in the West Division, particularly since Rice and Louisiana Tech must visit the Sun Bowl this fall. Sean Kugler has this program trending north, with reason to believe the team will continue traveling in that direction in 2015.

Key game: Nov. 7 vs. Rice. You want to lean forward in the West Division, UTEP? Go out and snap your four-game losing streak to the Owls, who’ve dominated the last two meetings by at least 18 points apiece. A visit from Rice will be a telltale start to a month of November that’ll go a long way to determining the Miners’ December travel schedule. Solving Rice could provide just the impetus UTEP needs to bust through the mediocrity that’s plagued the program for so long.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Rushing yards per game: UTEP 207.8 – Opponents 176.8
– Yards per catch UTEP 11.7 – Opponents 15.0
– Sacks: UTEP 26 – Opponents 13

Players You Need To Know

1. RB Aaron Jones, Jr.
Big 12-caliber back in a Conference USA uniform. Jones is the focal point of the offense and the face of the program. As a sophomore, he accounted for more than 35% of the Miners’ offensive production. Jones rushed for 1,321 yards and 11 touchdowns on 242 carries, displaying unexpected toughness for a 5-10, 185-pounder, as well as big-play pop. The second-team all-league selection also served as a valuable safety valve in the passing game with 30 receptions for 293 yards and three more scores. As the Miners break in a new quarterback, No. 29 will be that newcomer’s best friend in 2015.

2. DE Roy Robertson-Harris, Sr.
In 2014, Robertson-Harris evolved into one of the Miners’ best defensive players. This year, he hopes to capture the attention of NFL scouts. UTEP’s most disruptive player at the point of attack delivered team-highs with 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. At 6-7 and 255 pounds, Robertson-Harris has the long wingspan to stun opposing blockers and impact the field of vision for opposing quarterbacks.

3. RB/KR Autrey Golden, Sr.
Somehow, some way, the staff must exhaust every avenue to get the ball in Golden’s hands more frequently this fall. He’s instant offense, with the elusiveness and the breakaway speed to go the distance with even a hint of daylight. Golden has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, putting him one shy of the NCAA record. He also caught a team-high 31 passes for 263 yards and two scores, while rushing 101 yards on 15 carries.

4. S Devin Cockrell, Jr.
The UTEP defense relies on its safeties to be versatile and skilled open-field tacklers. Cockrell is the prototype in El Paso, and the measuring stick by which the program’s safeties will be measured the next two years. He’s started every game of his two-year career, chipping in with 52 tackles, seven stops for loss, two sacks and a pick to earn honorable mention all-league in 2014. Cockrell’s production leaned south last year, a trend the junior hopes to halt this season.

5. LB Alvin Jones, Soph.
Twin brother Aaron isn’t the only Jones helping solidify the future of the Miners. Alvin is a talented player as well. In his first season of action, the less heralded Jones helped down the starting weakside job for all but the opener. While he still has plenty to learn, he plays the game very and with the range that this staff loves. Jones, who moonlights on the UTEP basketball team, closed second on the team with 55 tackles, nine of which went for minus yards.

6. OG Derek Elmendorff, Soph.
Elmendorff is one of the emerging young cornerstones of the Miner front wall, a local kid with a bright future. As a 6-3, 310-pound redshirt freshman, he started 11 games at right guard before suffering a season-ending injury. Doing much more than just fill a void on the interior, Elmendorff got progressively better as the season unfolded. He fit in nicely on a unit that led the league in sacks allowed and ranked fourth in rushing.

7. C Eric Lee, Sr.
In his first season of action as a Miner, Lee was a very pleasant surprise in 2014. Three years removed from transferring from Riverside City (Calif.) College, he not only earned the start at the pivot, but also earned honorable mention All-Conference USA. The 6-1, 195-pound Lee did not perform like a newcomer to the lineup, displaying the quick feet and the leadership to evolve into one of the unsung heroes of the team’s ground game.

8. TE M.J. McFarland, Sr.
McFarland didn’t quite fulfill expectations in Austin, catching just 19 career passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns. The hope around El Paso is that the former Longhorn can finish his college career on a high note as a Miner. McFarland has joined a program that likes to employ the tight end position, and needs to replace Eric Tomlinson. McFarland is an athletic 6-5, 250-pound who’ll get a chance to be a preferred target on a team very light on proven receivers.

9. FB Darrin Laufasa, Jr.
Even if he never touches the ball, Laufasa will continue to be one of the key cogs in a UTEP ground game that averaged 207 yards per game a year ago. The 6-1, 235-pounder is an unselfish, old-school fullback who uses his powerful frame to give the Miners the equivalent of a sixth offensive linemen opening holes. Laufasa only rushed for 41 yards and scored twice, but his value to the offense will never be detected by a box score alone.

10. DE Nick Usher, Jr.
Usher fought through injuries in his first season of significant action to start all but one game and provide pressure for the Miner pass rush. At 6-3 and 235 pounds, the Los Angeles native is a classic weakside end, who’ll use his speed and get-off to beat opposing tackles around the edge. In making 41 tackles, 5.5 stops behind the line and three sacks, Usher has only begun to approach his potential as a rusher.