USU and UTEP ready to battle
The Utah State Aggies (9-4) will take on the UTEP Miners (7-5) Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
The Miners are making their first bowl appearance since 2010 when they were in the New Mexico Bowl. After going 2-10 last season, UTEP has turned around the program by running the football said head coach Sean Kugler.
Sophomore tailback Aaron Jones has been the top offensive producer for UTEP this season totaling over 1,200 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. The Miners have rushed for over 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns on the year.
“We’re going to do what we do,” Kugler said. “We’ll run the football and try to throw in some play action passes. It should be a great battle.”
They will face the Mountain West’s top tackler in senior linebacker Zach Vigil. Vigil has tallied 145 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss this season.
The Aggies have the nations No. 26 ranked rushing defense and the Miners have the No. 32 rushing offense. It is a matchup both coaches described as a “strength versus strength” game.
“They’ve got a good culture there at UTEP,” said senior offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey. “They’re here to win a bowl game just like we are. It should be a good one.”
Competing in its fourth straight bowl game, Utah State will look to rebound off a 50-19 loss against Boise State.
“I want to go out on a high note,” Whimpey said . “We were embarrassed a couple weeks ago. I want to get that taste out of my mouth and go out with a win.”
With a win the Aggies can set a school record third straight bowl victory and reach 10 wins in a season for only the second time in school history.
“There’s no substitute for experience,” Kugler said. “They’ve got that but our guys are excited to be here.”
Although USU has bowl experience, it is still a young team with a true freshman quarterback and tailback leading the offense.
“I don’t know if being in four straight bowl games gives us an advantage,” said Matt Wells, the Utah State head coach. “I think it’s still about football. It’s about blocking, tackling and making plays.”
– kalen.s.taylor@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @kalen_taylor