Week 12: SMU at UTEP

After an impressive road win over Sun Belt Conference leader Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend, UTEP finds itself in position for the postseason. The Miners will have to win two of their final three games, a formidable task after playing lowly SMU. UTEP closes with road games at West Division contender Houston and East Division leader East Carolina.

As difficult an assignment as that appears, the Miners may have an opportunity to surprise either Houston or ECU if they play as inspired as they did at Lafayette, La. UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe tied his personal best with five touchdown passes and receiver Jeff Moturi had two TD receptions. The Miners also scored the most points in a non-conference road game in 12 years.

SMU, meanwhile, is limping to the finish of coach June Jones' first season in Dallas. The Mustangs lost quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to a shoulder injury in a 31-26 loss to Memphis last weekend. It was the Mustangs' third straight loss to a C-USA opponent by a touchdown or less.

The Mustangs have only a victory over Football Championship Subdivision member Texas State this season and have dropped 19 straight to Football Bowl Subdivision teams. A week after watching Navy rush 77 times against the them in a 34-7 loss, SMU had Memphis — a pass-oriented team — rush 55 times for 300-plus yards.

Notes

SMU redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Turner replaced injured starter Bo Levi Mitchell against Memphis last weekend and passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

UTEP receiver Jeff Moturi had two touchdown catches last weekend against Louisiana-Lafayette and has had a TD reception in four straight games and five of the past six.

SMU receiver Emmanuel Sanders had 107 receiving yards against Memphis. It was his sixth 100-yard game of the season and the 10th of his career, setting school records. Jerry LeVias set the single-season mark of five in 1968 and Emanuel Tolbert held the career mark of nine, set from 1976 to 1979.

UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe's five TD passes against Louisiana-Lafayette extended an impressive streak. Vittatoe has thrown at least three touchdowns in six straight games.

Key Player (Mustangs) — Emmanuel Sanders, WR

Sanders and Aldrick Robinson give SMU two of the league's best receivers. Sanders ranks fourth in the league in receptions per game and has scored nine touchdowns. Robinson is sixth in receptions and has scored 11 TDs.

Key Player (Miners) — Trevor Vittatoe, QB

Vittatoe is doing his best to will the Miners into the postseason. The sophomore quarterback completed 73 percent of his passes in last weekend's win at Louisiana-Lafayette and has UTEP averaging 40.5 points in its past two games.

UTEP by 10