Facts:
Started as a D1 FCS program in 2014
Play in the Southland Conference
Offense: Spread Offense
Defense: 3-2 (3 2 2 4)
Offensive players to watch:
Bailey Zappe QB. Threw for 2,812 yards/Threw for 23 TD's
Jerreth Sterns WR Led Southland with 68 receptions
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...ound-crucial-for-Houston-Baptist-14307095.php
Defensive Players to watch:
Caleb Johnson LB 9.3 tackles per game and led Southland with 4 fumble recoveries
Taylor Holmes 6th year senior who missed two years with injuries
Pros: Just like NAU last year, another FCS team will come in and spread the ball around and they have a solid qb who can get it done. UTEP has to play disciplined defense and unlike last years NAU nightmare, UTEP needs to play slobber knocking football. Last year, NAU came in and popped UTEP in the mouth from the opening snap.
Cons: They turnover the ball over way too much last year and were horrid at winning short yardage situations. The offense averaged 27 per game. Their defense gave up 44. They too went 1-10.
HBU needs to keep the chains moving all four quarters to win and play defense until the last second because UTEP has two solid rb's in Hughes and Hankins who will bust it open if they don't shut them down. If UTEP allows them to win too many three and shorts like they allowed so many teams do to them last year, HBU may get another FCS upset at the Sun Bowl for the second straight year. Dimel has to get this team fired up and avoid what happened like last year. HBU defensive line is ok but will have their hands full with UTEP O line who are all now very experienced and healthy.
UTEP needs to let the horses loose. CUSA teams have a one back punch. UTEP has two productive rb's (possibly three) who can win games. El Paso is waiting for one of the top rb's in Texas high school the last two years to debut at the Sun Bowl so excitement will be very high (but not the attendance until UTEP starts to win). Down side is Canales' play calling was infuriating last year. Second, too many dropped passes and like HBU, UTEP conversions were not good. The offense was injured and inefficient starting with the NAU game. Plus side is Defensive Coordinator Cox. He made southern lemonade when the lemons were piling up with injuries and the offense was performing like a high school freshman at the high school dance. Every one has their fingers crossed since losing Oregon transfer Hotchkins who was the top defensive player in CUSA. The LB's are a big question mark. UTEP picked up USC db Ykili Ross today officially and is looking to star immediately according to Dimel.
Like UTEP, HBU went total JUCO the last two to three years and they expect to have a way, way better season in 2019. All eyes will be on the PAC 12 transfers and Hankins who can blow this game open late.
UTEP 34
HBU 17
Started as a D1 FCS program in 2014
Play in the Southland Conference
Offense: Spread Offense
Defense: 3-2 (3 2 2 4)
Offensive players to watch:
Bailey Zappe QB. Threw for 2,812 yards/Threw for 23 TD's
Jerreth Sterns WR Led Southland with 68 receptions
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...ound-crucial-for-Houston-Baptist-14307095.php
Defensive Players to watch:
Caleb Johnson LB 9.3 tackles per game and led Southland with 4 fumble recoveries
Taylor Holmes 6th year senior who missed two years with injuries
Pros: Just like NAU last year, another FCS team will come in and spread the ball around and they have a solid qb who can get it done. UTEP has to play disciplined defense and unlike last years NAU nightmare, UTEP needs to play slobber knocking football. Last year, NAU came in and popped UTEP in the mouth from the opening snap.
Cons: They turnover the ball over way too much last year and were horrid at winning short yardage situations. The offense averaged 27 per game. Their defense gave up 44. They too went 1-10.
HBU needs to keep the chains moving all four quarters to win and play defense until the last second because UTEP has two solid rb's in Hughes and Hankins who will bust it open if they don't shut them down. If UTEP allows them to win too many three and shorts like they allowed so many teams do to them last year, HBU may get another FCS upset at the Sun Bowl for the second straight year. Dimel has to get this team fired up and avoid what happened like last year. HBU defensive line is ok but will have their hands full with UTEP O line who are all now very experienced and healthy.
UTEP needs to let the horses loose. CUSA teams have a one back punch. UTEP has two productive rb's (possibly three) who can win games. El Paso is waiting for one of the top rb's in Texas high school the last two years to debut at the Sun Bowl so excitement will be very high (but not the attendance until UTEP starts to win). Down side is Canales' play calling was infuriating last year. Second, too many dropped passes and like HBU, UTEP conversions were not good. The offense was injured and inefficient starting with the NAU game. Plus side is Defensive Coordinator Cox. He made southern lemonade when the lemons were piling up with injuries and the offense was performing like a high school freshman at the high school dance. Every one has their fingers crossed since losing Oregon transfer Hotchkins who was the top defensive player in CUSA. The LB's are a big question mark. UTEP picked up USC db Ykili Ross today officially and is looking to star immediately according to Dimel.
Like UTEP, HBU went total JUCO the last two to three years and they expect to have a way, way better season in 2019. All eyes will be on the PAC 12 transfers and Hankins who can blow this game open late.
UTEP 34
HBU 17
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