Now that I'm getting back on the blog-scene, I'll reward the readers. No, not only with keen knowledge, not only with razor-sharp intellect, not merely with slapstick wit. I'm going to give away prizes.
That's right. You could win millions of dollars. A fleet of cars. Your own island. However, on this blog? Movie tickets, maybe a DVD every now and again. I give. That's what I do...
Onto the football season...
Of course, UTEP throttled defending CUSA Champion UCF on Saturday. I predicted that the Miners would win this game, but not 58 to 13. Nobody predicted that. Here's why it happened:
1. UCF had to start a true freshman QB in Rob Calabrese. Starting QB Michael Greco, who had been responsible for 125 yards a game (not great, but still) was out with a knee injury. He played horribly against Boston College the week before in his 1st career game, and is easy to defend.
2. Trevor Vittatoe played for the 1st time on a bum ankle.
How did that benefit UTEP? He's a VERY cerebral QB, and at times, looks like he overthinks his decisions on the field. He spent a majority of Saturday thinking of how to protect his ankle-achilles injury. How did that benefit UTEP? Vittatoe's instincts took over.
Instinctually, he might underrate himself. He won 4 of his first 6 starts as a Miner. That's early in a career, meaning it's all instinct at that point. Vittatoe has them, and on a seperate note, Calabrese doesn't. As Vittatoe's grown as a QB, as many do, he might be 2nd guessing himself in an effort to improve his game. That can sometimes backfire. It didn't have a chance to against UCF. 263 yards passing, 3 touchdowns with only 1 interception. Analyze that.
3. Defensive growth. This is the 1st game, possibly in the Mike Price Era, didn't give up a "Big Play". The "Big Play" is a thief. It steals momentum, and all of the big plays were made by UTEP. Even the Miner defense outscored UCF, 14-13. Cornelius Brown blocked a punt, and had 2 interceptions, giving him 3 for the season. That's tops in conference. He'll have a bigger test on the road next week at Southern Miss with QB Austin Davis. Though S. Miss lost to Marshall Saturday, he did throw for 308 yards.
BLOG STEW
- UTEP Kicker Jose Martinez kicks the 2nd longest FG off the ground in College Football history at 64 yards. Hard to see in that video, but he talks about it here, aud/vid taken by the GREAT Duke Keith of KLAQ fame.
- Hey fellas! Having trouble with the ladies??? Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach is here to offer assistance, so that your date doesn't end like this.
You're welcome.
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