Abandoning Pass has Done More Harm Than Good for UTEP

[Harry]

At season's start, a new coaching staff, highly touted transfer quarterback, and plenty of other talented pieces seemed to be the answer for an offense, and a team that struggled mightily in 2012.

Returning on offense was Nathan Jeffery, a stud running back who rushed for nearly 900 yards in just about 8 full games in 2012, as well a Biletnikoff Award Watch List receiver in Jordan Leslie, and a "pro style" quarterback in Jameill Showers ready to lead the way.

Add to the mix a trio of capable tight ends, a number of talented running backs in the stable, and a 6'5 receiver with great hands and good speed and the Miners seemed poised for a solid a season on offense. Right? Well, not exactly.

At 1-7 overall, and 0-4 in conference play, this season for UTEP football has quickly turned into a disappointment, and one with far more questions than answers.

Early on, the Miner offense was hitting on all cylinders. Despite its struggles at times, through the first five games they averaged nearly 34 points a game, and boasted a balanced 218.6 passing yards and 201.4 rushing yards per contest.

Since then though, the points per game and passing yards per game have dipped to just 11.3 and 117.6, while the rushing yards have remained about the same at 199 yards to per game. So what happened?

Well, most noticeably, and for whatever reason, the Miners have almost completely abandoned the pass. Through those first five games, they averaged roughly 31 pass attempts per contest. In the last three, just 19.

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