Pick and learn utep7/26/2023 ![]() ![]() The 2020 ULM squad ranked third-to-last in the FBS by racking up 76.7 yards per game on the ground. What’s stopping them: In Kubik’s second stint as OC, the main focus involves generating some form of rushing attack. Head coach Terry Bowden similarly inherited an Akron team with only one bowl appearance and guided the program to its first-ever bowl victory. ![]() Just like pre-Bowden Akron, ULM only has one bowl appearance to its name, so the parallels can certainly be drawn for the veteran coach. Two years after the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl triumph, the Zips won the MAC East and competed in a conference championship game. By 2015, he qualified for the Zips’ second-ever bowl game at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and cashed in at the opportunity to claim Akron’s first bowl victory in program history. He inherited an Akron program fresh off back-to-back 1-11 seasons in 2012. The schedule - which features Alabama and Texas - is difficult, but Bowden worked wonders before on a similar program. Koenning hopes to keep the run defense sturdy after exemplary front seven play allowed the Warhawks to limit each of their final four opponents under 28 points. Also, the unit is now under the direction of Vic Koenning, who replaces Zac Alley after one season. ULM’s defense was more of its calling card in 2022, but the unit hits the reset button after losing its leading tackler Traveion Webster and leading pass rusher Ty Shelby to the NFL. With wide receivers Will Derrick and Malik Jackson returning to the mix, this passing attack has the potential to develop rapport and elevate to another level. Alongside Rogers is the team’s star wide receiver Jeremiah “Boogie” Knight who corralled a team-best 45 receptions for 588 yards in 2021. Kubik receives a solid cast of skill position players to work with. The offense will work under the direction of ULM’s 2015-19 offensive coordinator Matt Kubik, who rejoins the program to replace the departed Rich Rodriguez. Making the case for bowl eligibility: In 2022, ULM returns its fleet-footed starting quarterback Chandler Rogers, who posted efficient numbers by completing 64 percent of passes for nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Still, the Warhawks showed promise in November by hanging tight with overmatched opponents - coming within 13 of LSU and 5 of Louisiana. Even though winnable contests against Texas State and Arkansas State loomed on the schedule, ULM couldn’t deliver and remained at four wins to conclude 2021. The Warhawks jumped to a 4-3 record highlighted by a stunning win over Liberty (where they outscored the Flames 28-0 in the third quarter alone), despite entering the matchup as 32.5-point underdogs. At the same time UTEP captivated the nation by attaining bowl eligibility in mid-October, ULM looked to be on a similar track. ULM responded to the unmitigated disaster by swapping out head coach Matt Viator for Terry Bowden and the program saw immediate improvement. Only one defeat came within 17 points, and worst of all, ULM did not lead once the entire season. ULM took the field 10 times that fall and lost 10 times by an average of 25.7 points. Making the case for bowl eligibility: The Warhawks’ 2020 campaign was one of the worst college football seasons ever. As the 2022 season swings around, we examine several other perennial cellar dweller teams - with 4+ year bowl droughts - which are looking to follow suit. Also, UTEP lost a pair of contests by a field goal, demonstrating how close this team was to a potential eight or nine win season.Īfter roughly a half decade of navigating in the cellar of the FBS, the Miners’ rise back to respectability and bowl eligibility was expeditious. Four of the Miners’ six victories against FBS competition were by double-digit margins and the other two wins were by seven points apiece. Yes, UTEP’s strength of schedule ranked 125th out of 130, but it was evident this program made a significant leap. UTEP rattled off seven victories to claim its first winning campaign since 2014, and the Miners qualified for the New Mexico Bowl - where they came within a touchdown of a heavily-favored Fresno State squad. In 2021, the winning culture he manifested finally came to fruition as the sport’s scheduling returned to normal. But after faring 2-34 across those three seasons, head coach Dana Dimel utilized the 2020 pandemic-riddled season to teach the team how to win regardless of the schedule, and the Miners finished 3-5 with two FCS victories. From 2017-19, captivating sunsets and scenic mountain backdrops at the Sun Bowl were the only thing working in the program’s favor. One of the most fascinating stories of the 2021 college football season was the rapid ascension of the UTEP Miners. ![]()
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