Louisiana Tech 17, UTEP 15: What We Learned

Another heartbreaker for a Texas team against Louisiana Tech in Texas. Let’s go back a few weeks, shall we? UTSA had a shot to upset the Bulldogs in the Alamodome, but came up short after a furious rally in the final seconds to lose 34-31. Fast forward to Saturday, where UTEP kept it alarmingly close all game in the Sun Bowl, only to watch its desperation drive hit a wall face-first as time expired. For whatever reason, Louisiana Tech’s two trips west of Houston have seen it suffer a couple of close shaves. Where has this UTEP defense been? Louisiana Tech is 13th in the nation in scoring offense, hanging around teams like Ole Miss and Oregon. And UTEP held that offense to 17 points, held QB Jeff Driskel to just 188 yards through the air, and very average 13 of 22 completions. The Bulldogs only mustered 119 yards on the ground. Now, UTEP is 66th in total defense, so it’s not like the Miners are terrible, but this was an afternoon that saw them make big play after big play, particularly with Louisiana Tech pinned back in its own territory. Could have used a day like this, oh, 6 other times this year. Same old offense, though.  On the one hand, you can hardly blame them for the struggles. Aaron Jones was Plan A, B, and C on the season, and the quarterbacks have suffered a series of injuries that has created a seemingly endless carousel rotating in from the sideline. Ryan Metz threw for 121 yards, completing just shy of 50 percent of his attempts. Kavika Johnson was about the same. Tk Powell had a nice day on the ground, racking up 124 yards, so that wasn’t the worst Jones impression. Still, it was the final drive that was the killer. With 44 seconds left in the game, the Miners started with the ball on their own 23. In a desperate attempt to get into field goal range (it needed to be close because they were going into the wind), but it all ended when Jacquan White found himself on the Louisiana Tech 18-yard line and zeroes on the clock.