| The UTEP Miners wrapped up the 2009 season | | | | part of the work load and will be one of the |
| with a disappointing 4-8 record under | | | | team's main receivers. He accounted for 42 |
| seventh-year head coach Mike Price who has | | | | catches and 580 yards, but only two TDs. Junior |
| been unable to bring them team to over.500 | | | | Donovon Kemp is poised for a breakthrough year |
| during his tenure with an overall record of 34-38. | | | | after showing big-play flashes a season ago and |
| This season 12 starters return, including seven on | | | | Evan Davis will be vying for a full time job as well. |
| offense. Fans will once again be optimistic for the | | | | The offensive line returns three senior starters in |
| Miners to post their first winning season and a | | | | 6-8, 310-pound Alex Solot, 6-3, 320-pound senior |
| bowl appearance in five years. | | | | Rod Huntley, and 6-4, 300-pound senior Tanner |
| Here's a closer look at the 2010 UTEP Miners to | | | | Cullumber. |
| help make your College Football wagers winners. | | | | Defense: |
| Offense: | | | | The Miners defense is now in the hands of |
| One thing is for sure; the Miners can put points on | | | | former UNLV assistant Andre Patterson. It will be |
| the board and will rely on that offensive prowess | | | | his job to turn around one of the worst defensive |
| once again in 2010. But can they score enough? | | | | squads in the nation in 2009, giving up 447 yards |
| The team was able to average nearly 30 points | | | | and 33 points per game. The Miners lost three |
| per game yet still only managed just four wins | | | | games where they gave up 52 points or more. |
| last season. | | | | The most noticeable change will be a shift to a |
| The offensive charge will be led by four-year | | | | 4-3 base that'll requires more depth and talent up |
| starting quarterback Trevor Vittatoe who returns | | | | front. |
| to action after a disappointing season despite | | | | The front seven allowed over 200 rushing yards |
| tossing for over 3,000 yards for the third | | | | per game in 2009, and things may not get any |
| consecutive season, and 17 TDs. There are still | | | | better this season as the Miners have good |
| concerns looming over the 6-2, 220-pound senior | | | | potential on the outside, with defensive ends |
| whose inconsistency showed in 2009 as he | | | | Bernard Obi and Robert Soleyjacks, but the inside |
| throwing 13 interceptions after combining for only | | | | tackles have very little experience between them |
| 16 in the two previous seasons. | | | | and will likely struggle stopping the run. |
| After being suspended for the first six practices | | | | The LB unit does return two starters starting |
| of spring, Vittatoe missed the end following minor | | | | with Jamie Irving and Isaiah Carter who will help |
| shoulder surgery. UTEP needs to see the old | | | | bolster a corps of linebackers that's deeper than |
| Vittatoe from 2007 and 2008 rather than the one | | | | at any point in the last few seasons. |
| that hit all -time lows in 2009. Thomas is the only | | | | With only four starters back from a group that |
| other QB on the roster with any experience and | | | | gave up at least 30 points eight times, safety |
| is not a starting option. | | | | Braxton Amy who had 52 tackles and five |
| One of the bright spots in last season's abysmal | | | | Interceptions, will be a busy man leading the rest |
| 4-8 campaign was the immergence of 5-10, | | | | of the unit that is mostly unproven |
| 195-pound senior RB Donald Buckram, who tallied | | | | 2010 Prediction: Fourth in the C-USA West: UTEP |
| a school record 594 yards and 18 touchdowns on | | | | will need to Vittatoe to return to the form of his |
| 259 carries. He also contributed 30 catches for | | | | first two seasons while hoping the defense can |
| 453 yards and three scores. If he can find his | | | | plug the holes in their sinking vessel. The team will |
| way around tacklers again, he should increase | | | | need to take advantage of an easy schedule in |
| those stats considering he will begin the 2010 | | | | their first nine contests, aside from a trip to |
| season healthy after an injury plagued 2009. | | | | Houston in Week 2, building some early confidence |
| The decline suffered by 6-3, 195-pound senior Kris | | | | and winning enough games to become bowl |
| Adams a year ago was in direct relation with that | | | | eligible. With so many questions, one can only |
| of the entire passing game and QB Trevor | | | | safely predict a six win season for the Miners in |
| Vittatoe. Adams will be counted on to carry a big | | | | 2010. |
