UTEP keeps bowl hopes alive with fifth win of season

The Miners got their fifth victory of the season, and one short of becoming bowl eligible for the second-consecutive season, by beating East Carolina 22-17 Nov. 12 in the Sun Bowl.

On the day of his 23rd birthday, senior running back Joe Banyard made the biggest play of his career. With 7:04 left in the game, he broke a 77-yard run touchdown to give UTEP the game-winning score.

"The hole was tremendous. The offensive line did an awesome job and I just ran threw it like we did in practice," Banyard said. "It feels awesome, great birthday gift and that's for the team. We needed that."

After going down 7-0 in the first quarter, junior quarterback Nick Lamaison was knocked out of the game after being hit near the sideline on the ensuing possession. According to Price, Lamaison pulled a groin on the play meaning sophomore quarterback Carson Meger had to step in.

"You have to prepare all week. Everyone from starters to back ups have to prepare like they're going to play," Meger said. "I've prepared every week the same just as if I'm going to get to play and when you do that, it makes it much easier and a little more comfortable when you go in straight off the sideline."

The Miner defense scored the team's first points when junior cornerback Darren Woodard jumped in front of senior Dominique Davis' pass. He returned it 44 yards for the touchdown. Junior kicker Dakota Warren missed the extra-point attempt, leaving the Pirates with a 7-6 lead with 11:51 left in the second quarter.

Senior kicker Mike Scott replaced Warren on extra point attempts after Warren had missed on two attempts. Warren also left the game with a groin injury.

A third kicker was used when freshman Steve Valadez connected on a 46-yard attempt. That put UTEP up 16-7 with 34 seconds left in the first half on a drive that began at the Miners own one-yard line.

"That's part of the game. If you look at it, you see that things go wrong, you have to be ready and prepared for that," Meger said. "You practice situations like that so when it comes to the game it's nothing unnatural. It keeps you comfortable. I think the team did a great job staying positive on the sideline."

The Pirates cut UTEP's lead to 16-14 on their first drive of the second half when Davis hit freshman wide receiver Justin Hardy from 10 yards out.

On the ensuing possession, the Miners drove to the 32-yard line but elected to go for it. Meger failed to connect on a screen pass with junior wide receiver Mike Edwards. Price said he decided to keep his team on the field due to with uncertainty at the kicker position and the strong winds.

At 5-5, the Miners are one win away from bowl eligibility and face Tulsa at 1 p.m. Nov.19 in the Sun Bowl for the home-season finale.

Daniel Ornelas may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.