Game Week: UTEP at Arkansas

Miners aim to get big, just like Hogs

UTEP head coach Sean Kugler, right, shakes hands with Augie Touris (88) prior to the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Texas-El Paso Coach Sean Kugler doesn't know Bret Bielema personally, but he said he understands the kind of team Arkansas' coach likes to build.

When Kugler was an NFL offensive line coach with Pittsburgh and Buffalo, he worked out several of the offensive linemen Bielema recruited and coached at Wisconsin.

"One thing I know about linemen that have been in his system is they're going to be big, they're going be physical, they're going to be well-coached and they're going to be smart," Kugler said. "I have the utmost respect for him and his program.

"The way they play football is much like we want to play football."

Kugler will find out how well his Miners play against Bielema's Razorbacks when UTEP from Conference USA opens the season at No. 18 Arkansas Saturday.

"We think our program is headed in the right direction," said Kugler, whose Miners improved to 7-6 last season after going 2-10 in 2013. "We know physically and talent-wise we don't match up man-for-man with a team like Arkansas, but we're not going to shy away from challenges.

"We're going to go there and give it our best shot."

Kugler said there's no doubt UTEP, like Arkansas, prides itself on having a strong running game. The Miners return four starters on the offensive line and a tailback who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, as do the Razorbacks.

"They go against the norm as far as what's being done in college football," Kugler said. "That's their niche, and they do it extremely well.

"We're really trying to do the same thing. Most teams are spread teams nowadays. We're far from that. We're more of a two-back offense and we'll run the ball frequently.

"As far as looking at a program that you want to mirror yourself after and try to emulate, Arkansas would certainly be one of those programs."

UTEP junior tailback Aaron Jones rushed 242 times for 1,321 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and caught 30 passes for 293 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"Much like our conference, he probably doesn't get the national recognition as some of the other players, but I think Aaron Jones could play anywhere," Kugler said. "He has that type of talent, but more importantly he's a great kid with great work ethic.

"He has got great balance and great vision, and he doesn't die easy. He runs hard, and he finishes runs. He's added some weight to his frame where he can withstand a few more carries."

Kugler played on the offensive line for UTEP -- where his position coach was Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid -- and then was an offensive line coach for the Miners before getting his first NFL job with Detroit. The Miners' starting offensive line averages 313 pounds, up from 298 in 2013.

"I think they're very good," Kugler said. "They certainly don't rank up there with an offensive line like Arkansas' -- which I think is the best in the country -- but our line is physical, they work hard, they're a close-knit group. Everything you'd look for out of an offensive line."

Sophomore Mack Leftwich, the son of UTEP offensive line coach Spencer Leftwich, is the Miners' starting quarterback. Leftwich redshirted last season after starting the final four games in 2013, when he completed 44 of 75 passes for 458 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions.

"He's a coach's son, so Mack grew up around football," Kugler said. "He's a competitor."

The Miners, led defensively by senior end Roy Robertson-Harris and sophomore linebacker Alvin Jones, are known for blitzing more than 40 percent of the time. Last season UTEP had 26 sacks and forced 21 turnovers.

"We do blitz quite frequently and have a lot of moving parts," Kugler said. "You're never going to see the same look, nor are you going to see the same pressure, two times in a row.

"We feel it gives the offenses a lot to prepare for. You live by the sword and die by the sword when you blitz that much, but it's our system. We want to be an attacking defense along with a physical offense."

Senior receiver Autrey Golden, who had 31 catches for 263 yards last season, is a big-play man on special teams. Golden has returned six kickoffs for touchdowns to lead active Football Bowl Subdivision players and last season averaged 24.0 yards on 31 returns.

"He's been explosive for us," Kugler said. "He gives you a chance to take it to the house, or at least give you a big return.

"Kick returning is kind of a special art. You've got to be fearless. You can't be afraid to just stick your foot in the ground and go North, and that's what Autrey has.

"He has good vision for the blocking schemes up front and then when he pulls the trigger, he doesn't hesitate."

Sports on 09/01/2015