UTEP football falls to 0-5, problems continue with loss to Sam Houston

This isn't a huge revelation so much as a reiteration of the obvious, but the UTEP football team's offensive problems go deeper than the quarterback. The problems are everywhere and extensive.

That was evident all year and was evident again in the 41-21 loss to Sam Houston that dropped the Miners to 0-5. The defense held tight to a point, contributing a first-half touchdown that accounted for seven more points than the offense scored in the first 44:30 minutes, but it received no help as UTEP once again lacked free football.

Cade McConnell took over at quarterback, and while his first-half numbers were dismal – 5 of 14 passes for 17 yards – five drops, several of which would have been first downs, led to a series of punts and an inability to do much to play together.

In the third quarter, UTEP drove to the 10 — eventually breaking the 100-yard mark of offense for the game — and fumbled a run that would have given it a first down. The Miners reached the 100-yard mark shortly afterward when the defense finally collapsed.

After UTEP made five straight starts starting on Sam's second possession, the Bearkats scored on five of the next six possessions.