Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of 10 articles previewing football teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Today, the Appeal takes a look at the UTEP Miners.
After three consecutive two-win seasons, there is nowhere to go but up for the UTEP Miners.
And, new head coach Mike Price believes he's just the guy that can take UTEP into the upper echelon of the Western Athletic Conference.
"I can't wait (to get started)," said Price, who was fired before ever coaching a game at Alabama following an incident at a university golf fund-raiser. "I'm so happy to have the opportunity; happy they gave me a chance.
"I think UTEP has what it takes to be a winner. We've raised the bar here, making it as difficult as we can. I've tried to make football fun. I'm trying to change the way they (players) think."
Price coached Washington State into five bowl games in his 14-year tenure, including two Rose Bowl appearances. He has a 129-122 career record.
Most have bought into Price's way of doing things. Senior linebacker Robert Rodriguez is impressed with his new coach.
"He works tirelessly," Rodriguez said. "It's been all about the team. He would go through the wall for us."
Price plans to build the team around defense. The unit was hammered for 498 points a year ago, but has some talent, including linebackers Rodriguez and Thomas Howard.
Rodriguez, an El Paso native, led the WAC in tackles for the second time in three years. The senior chalked up 135 stops, including 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound middle linebacker is a Dick Butkus Award nominee.
"He has a nose for the ball," Price said. "He's a tremendous player."
Junior Thomas Howard (6-3, 230) was third in the WAC with 118 tackles, including 11 for losses. He had a career-high of 15 against Louisiana Tech.
Senior Godwin Akinduro (6-4, 220) finished with 45 tackles, including 11 in a start against San Diego State, junior J. D. Hearn (6-2, 220) garnered 60 tackles and senior Mike Perez (6-1, 205) had 64 stops. All three are battling for the last starting slot.
On the defensive front, junior Tevita Fifita (6-1, 245), senior Ibok Ibok (6-3, 250), sophomore Reggie Miles Jr. (6-2, 240), junior Chris Mineo (6-2, 275) and sophomore Joe Ward (6-2, 240) all made at least one start last year. Mineo had 70 stops and two sacks ago.
The secondary gave up nearly 260 yards a game, and must improve tremendously.
Senior cornerback Adrian Ward (5-10, 170) started the final 10 games last season, finishing with 39 tackles, three interceptions and six deflections. Jahmal Fenner (5-8, 180) had 22 stops and two interceptions and will start at the other corner.
Sophomore Joe Fleskoski (6-1, 195) starts at strong safety and freshman Quintin Demps is the starter at free safety. Fleskoski was the team's third-leading tackler last year with 88.
The offense will be built around speedy senior Howard Jackson (5-9, 160), who gained 1,146 yards, ninth-best in school history. Jackson, who had six games where he gained more than 100 yards, had a school-record four straight 100-yard games.
Jackson missed all of the spring drills with a knee injury, but is expected to be ready for the season-opener Sept. 2 at Arizona State.
"He (Jackson) runs faster than any athlete I've ever had," Price said. "He has breakaway speed and can stop on a dime."
Behind Jackson are senior Jimmy Smith (180 yards rushing, 44 receiving) and junior Matt Austin (456 rushing, 82 receiving).
The quarterback spot is wide open, according to Price. Junior Orlando Cruz, senior Omar Duarte and sophomore Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of Heisman winner Carson Palmer, are all in the mix. All three have started at least five games on the college level.
"We have three good quarterbacks, but we don't have one great quarterback," Price said. "We want to decide (within two weeks of the first game) so we have one guy that will get the reps and be the guy."
Sophomore Chris Marrow (34-467-3 TDs), junior Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. (27-391-2) and junior Chris Francies (24-343-2) are the receivers. Higgins and Francies each had a 100-yard game a year ago. Tight end Jonas Crafts caught 24 passes for 256 yards in six games, and still was an honorable mention selection last season.
Price likes the talent of the offensive line, but he wants to get taller.
"We're big enough," Price said. "I like my linemen 6-6, 6-7 and 6-8."
Senior right tackle Robert Espinosa (6-3, 310) and junior left guard Jose Garcia (6-2, 320) are the only returnees up front. Junior Josh House (6-4, 290) won the starting left tackle slot, Ben Graniello (6-3, 290), who tore his ACL at the tail end of spring practice, will battle for the right guard spot. Sophomore Andy Smith (6-4, 295) won the starting center spot.
Junior transfer Anthony Casey (6-4, 295), junior Michael Eddy (6-6, 310) and Texas product Tyler Ribitzki, a 6-6 285-pound freshman, provide depth.
Bryce Benekos was the second-best punter in the WAC last season with a 44.1 average. Senior Keith Robinson connected on 7 of 14 field goals and 26 of 27 PATs.
Mike Price File
Age: 58
Birthplace: Denver, Colo.
Education: University of Puget Sound, 1969
Years at UTEP: First season
Overall Record: 129-122
Bowl games: 5 (Copper, Alamo, Sun and Rose 2)
Notable: Was named the 1997 National Coach of the Year after guiding Washington State to a 10-2 overall record and 7-1 Pac-10 record. Washington State lost 21-16 to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
