Preview: Q&A with UTEP Beat Reporter Adrian Broaddus

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Jordan Ferguson stepped up the podium for Monday's press conference refreshed. Renewed. Recharged. Whatever "re-" adjective you wish to you use.

And who could blame him? After a four-game slate featuring a road game at an ACC school and games against the top three preseason teams in C-USA, the Blue Raiders' open date last week could not have come at a better time for Middle Tennessee football.

But with the Blue Raiders headed west to the Mountain time zone this week for a late-night kickoff against UTEP (8 p.m. CT, ESPN+), Ferguson was grateful to have a little more time for MTSU to focus on itself.

"You've just got to go back to the basics when you get this time to work on yourself," Ferguson said.

In the midst of a three-game skid, however, much of that open week was spent honing in on strengths and weaknesses for both sides of the ball, before spending this week preparing for a Miner program that has taken a step forward for the second year in a row after years of being in the C-USA basement.

"You get to this time of the year and your focus is as much on your opponent as it is yourself," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "I like where we're at from a mental standpoint, the guys are going to be fired up to go out there and play."

Coming into Saturday with a 4-4 record, 2-2 in C-USA play, UTEP is about as middle of the road as a team you can find in Conference USA this season, particularly on offense, where the Miners are well balanced between the run (1163 total rushing yards, seventh in C-USA) and the pass (1827 total passing yards, sixth in C-USA).

Ferguson highlighted the "NFL" style offense UTEP runs, led by quarterback Gavin Hardison, with plenty of 22 personnel looks (two tight ends and two running backs).

"You would expect them to run the ball more, but they actually throw the ball more," Ferguson noted. "I think that's because they get a down a little bit and have to throw the ball a little bit more.

"First, we've got to stop the run of course, like we want to do every week. Then it's opportunities for guys on the back end to make plays when they throw the ball. I know they have some good receivers that we're going to have to cover."

What's been killer for the Miner offense this season has been turnovers, with eight lost fumbles and nine interceptions combining for a C-USA worst 17 turnovers on the season. The UTEP defense, however, has come through with 12 takeaways of their own in 2022, including two fumbles returned for touchdowns. One such fumble proved to be the difference in a 41-35 road win over Charlotte earlier this season.

"They're going to pressure you, they're going to blitz you, give you a variety of different fronts," Stockstill said. "We've got to be able to handle their pressures and the different variations of the coverages and the fronts that we're going to see."

UTEP has won three straight games in the Sun Bowl, including a buzzer beater kick for the win over FAU last weekend. But MTSU quarterback Chase Cunningham is focused on the reset MTSU has been given.

"It's college football, anybody can win on any day," Cunningham said. "We've just got to take it week by week from here on out."

To get a closer look at the Miners, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton chatted with Adrian Broaddus, who covers UTEP for 600 ESPN El Paso. Broaddus talked about UTEP's long-term turnaround, gave MTSU fans some names to know as well as his keys to the game. You can follow Adrian on Twitter @AdrianBroaddus.

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1. UTEP is once again putting together a solid season for a program that was in the midst of a 1-11 season the last time they met Middle Tennessee on the field in 2018. For Blue Raider fans that might've missed the Miners' turnaround in the C-USA West, what has been the key to Dana Dimel getting UTEP on the right track these past few seasons?

Dana Dimel reconstructed a roster that is now stacked with JUCO transfers and worked on developing young talent on both sides of the ball. The retention with the program has been solid, with the exception of losing top wideout Jacob Cowing to the transfer portal last year (now at Arizona). Emerging with a top defense in the league has helped in the turnaround. They have done enough offensively over the last two seasons to be a threat. Favorable scheduling has also helped the team.

2. Rick Stockstill was very complimentary of quarterback Gavin Hardison in his game week availability on Monday, praising the signal caller's toughness in the pocket in particular. His yards per completion (12.88, 4th in C-USA and 38th nationally) also clearly shows he likes to push the ball downfield. What has impressed you about his play in the past two seasons, and who are some of his favorite targets MTSU fans should know?

Gavin Hardison is someone that can be a strong game manager when he attempts 20-30 passes in a game, but becomes inconsistent when he's asked to throw any more attempts than 30. The team loves to chuck the ball downfield and hit on a home run play. His favorite targets are Tyrin Smith, who is a sharp slot target, and Rey Flores. Hardison is at his best when he gets solid protection from his offensive line. He can work through his reads pretty well, but sometimes his aggressiveness turns into mistakes. He's thrown seven interceptions this year, including two pick-6's.

3. Defensive end Jordan Ferguson took the time to highlight UTEP's rushing ability in this week's press conference, and it's always exciting to see two running backs with right around 500 yards each this season. What impresses you about the Miners' duo of Ronald Awatt and Deion Hankins? Are they similar in style to one another, or is it more of a contrast between the two?

Both Awatt and Hankins bring different things to the table. Awatt is more of a versatile back, who can be a primary option in the backfield and can excel in the receiving game. On the other end, Hankins is more of a bowling-ball type of running back, who can be a reliable option on third and short situations.

4. Scrolling through C-USA games and box scores this year, UTEP's defense has been one of the most quietly impressive units for me all season…when they're locked in. The Miners are 3-1 when they allow fewer than 30 points…and 1-3 when they allow more than 30. What do you credit to that inconsistency throughout the season to, and who are some of the key players that show up when the defense does play well?

The UTEP defense is definitely the strong point. The stat might also be a bit misleading, knowing that the offense was their downfall against North Texas (31-13), they didn't stand a chance against Oklahoma (45-13) and they totaled four turnovers at LA Tech (41-31). The biggest worry for the Miners in the defense might come in their secondary, where they've given up big plays against opponents. They are inexperienced and rolling with several first-year starters in their defensive backfield. Their best players are linebacker Cal Wallerstedt, defensive end Jadrian Taylor, EDGE Praise Amaewhule and linebacker Tyrice Knight.

5. UTEP has won three straight games in the Sun Bowl, and I'm sure the Homecoming crowd will be ready for the primetime kickoff. What do you think will be key for the Miners to earn the win and get just one game away from bowl eligibility?

UTEP needs to try and limit turnovers, establish the ground game, control the clock and put pressure on quarterback Chase Cunningham. The turnover margin is key to me. UTEP's losses have been largely due to their mistakes, mostly on offense.

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