Coogs win 34-17...

The Coogs got a much needed conference win yesterday, defeating a solid UTEP team 34-17. Houston spotted UTEP 14 points to begin the game but it was all Cougars for the rest of the game. Remarkably, the Mad Dog Defense held UTEP scoreless in the second half allowing the offense to put up 24 unanswered points.

Miner head coach Mike Price noted four three and outs in the second half in the El Paso Times:

"Well it kind of fell apart in the second half," said UTEP head coach Mike Price, whose attempt at his 150th career victory fell short. "We had four three-and-outs in the second half. We played hard on defense, but we kept putting the defense in such bad position and giving Houston such great field position. And I think that is what drove the nail in the coffin for us."

This was a good win for the Coogs, who had a balanced attack of 208 through the air and 204 on the ground. Interestingly, the Coogs only punted once during the game. Kevin Kolb connected on 20-30 for 208 and two TDs, while Anthony Alridge provided two scores on the ground.

The Cougars get to take on UCF next week at home. Then they get Tulsa...if they can get past the Golden Hurricane, there's no reason they can't run the table.