Through most of the last decade, UTEP's defensive line was something it tried to survive and overcome. It was usually the Miners' weakest unit.
Now it is the epitome of Sean Kugler's culture change.
The defensive line has become the rock UTEP is built around.
"We're two-deep there, in some areas we're starting to develop a third team," Kugler said. "We've increased our size, we've got ends with motors who run to the ball. That's where we're building on both sides of the ball, offense and defense."
The defensive line is a veteran group. Ends Nick Usher and Roy Robertson-Harris are third-year starters and tackle Gino Bresolin will be a second-year starter. Senior tackle Alex Villarreal will be the only new starter in the group and he was a key backup last season. They know each other and as a unit they lead the defense.
"We have to, it all starts up front," said Robertson-Harris, who is a team captain. "The good thing is with our experience, me being a senior and Ush and Gino being juniors, we get it done. It all goes back to with a good defense, it starts up front."
"We're a brotherhood," Usher said. "It starts with us flying to the ball with athletic ends and nosetackles, running to the ball. The defense always has to start up front."
The two ends caused all sorts of trouble for offenses last season. Robertson-Harris had a team-leading three and a half sacks and six hurries while batting down three passes. Usher added three sacks.
Having a group so familiar with each other pays dividends in many areas.
"There is a lot of familiarity," line coach Andrew Browning said. "They are able to get in and out of drills, they understand what they are doing and that makes it go faster. There was a learning process (three years ago), different styles of players for a different staff. The big thing is there has been a consistency in the scheme and that has allowed them to grasp the concepts and flourish.
"There is a deeper understanding. They aren't learning the basics anymore, now we're covering the fun stuff of football."
Bresolin, who actually came to UTEP as a center, said having players on each side of him he's played with an entire year is a big advantage.
"We're used to each other, we have the same timing and that gives you confidence that you can lean on each other," he said. "we push ourselves. If one person is struggling another comes up to pick it up. The defensive line and the linebackers really bring it.
"We still have a long ways to go, but we're more consistent and the effort is really good."
As Kugler pointed out, the group also has some depth. End Silas Firstley is one of the team's best backups and the other second-team end, Luke Elsner, was a major contributor last year as a true freshman. Christian Harper, a converted offensive lineman, and Brian Madunezim are the backup tackles.
That all adds up to a steady front where UTEP can cycle a lot of players.
"It starts with us," Robertson-Harris said, something defensive linemen couldn't often say in a previous era.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6357.
What: UTEP football's Camp Ruidoso
When: 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. today through Aug. 16
Where: The Lodge at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso, 107 Sierra Blanca, about a 2-hour, 15-minute drive from El Paso
Admission: Practices are free and open to the public
Now it is the epitome of Sean Kugler's culture change.
The defensive line has become the rock UTEP is built around.
"We're two-deep there, in some areas we're starting to develop a third team," Kugler said. "We've increased our size, we've got ends with motors who run to the ball. That's where we're building on both sides of the ball, offense and defense."
The defensive line is a veteran group. Ends Nick Usher and Roy Robertson-Harris are third-year starters and tackle Gino Bresolin will be a second-year starter. Senior tackle Alex Villarreal will be the only new starter in the group and he was a key backup last season. They know each other and as a unit they lead the defense.
"We have to, it all starts up front," said Robertson-Harris, who is a team captain. "The good thing is with our experience, me being a senior and Ush and Gino being juniors, we get it done. It all goes back to with a good defense, it starts up front."
"We're a brotherhood," Usher said. "It starts with us flying to the ball with athletic ends and nosetackles, running to the ball. The defense always has to start up front."
The two ends caused all sorts of trouble for offenses last season. Robertson-Harris had a team-leading three and a half sacks and six hurries while batting down three passes. Usher added three sacks.
Having a group so familiar with each other pays dividends in many areas.
"There is a lot of familiarity," line coach Andrew Browning said. "They are able to get in and out of drills, they understand what they are doing and that makes it go faster. There was a learning process (three years ago), different styles of players for a different staff. The big thing is there has been a consistency in the scheme and that has allowed them to grasp the concepts and flourish.
"There is a deeper understanding. They aren't learning the basics anymore, now we're covering the fun stuff of football."
Bresolin, who actually came to UTEP as a center, said having players on each side of him he's played with an entire year is a big advantage.
"We're used to each other, we have the same timing and that gives you confidence that you can lean on each other," he said. "we push ourselves. If one person is struggling another comes up to pick it up. The defensive line and the linebackers really bring it.
"We still have a long ways to go, but we're more consistent and the effort is really good."
As Kugler pointed out, the group also has some depth. End Silas Firstley is one of the team's best backups and the other second-team end, Luke Elsner, was a major contributor last year as a true freshman. Christian Harper, a converted offensive lineman, and Brian Madunezim are the backup tackles.
That all adds up to a steady front where UTEP can cycle a lot of players.
"It starts with us," Robertson-Harris said, something defensive linemen couldn't often say in a previous era.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6357.
What: UTEP football's Camp Ruidoso
When: 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. today through Aug. 16
Where: The Lodge at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso, 107 Sierra Blanca, about a 2-hour, 15-minute drive from El Paso
Admission: Practices are free and open to the public
