•ATHLETJCS•
W
ith the WAC
Championship still fresh their minds, UTEP
football fans expect another winning -and they won't be sap]poulted if Head Coach Gary Nord
Famaligi, left tackle; senior Lawrence Norman, left guard; and senior Crance Clemons and junior Weldon Cooks, defensive backs. Other All-Star candidates are Camar Jackson, junior linebacker; Joey Knapp, senior tight end; Chris Porter, senior running back; and D.J. Walker, junior defensive back.
this season, the Miners have players from last year to prove their 7-1 WAC record wasn't a fluke.
"We have more than enough talent
UTEP hired Bob Wagner as defensive coordinator to help operate the eight-man front the university used last season to keep opponents at bay.
in place to show 2000 was anything but
Wagner, a two-time WAC Coach of the
a one-year wonder," says Nord, who
Year at Hawaii in the 1980s, most
was named WAC Coach of the Year
recently coached linebackers and special
following the championship season.
teams at Arizona.
The Miners, who lost nine starting
Also joining the UTEP coaching
players, expect a strong showing this
staff this year are Ron Hudson, who
season from several different areas,
will coach the tight ends, and Reggie
including the wide receiver and tight
Johnson, who will work with defensive
positions, running back and the
ends. Brian Callahan, who was part of last season's team, has been elevated from tight ends coach to handle offensive line duties.
a bonafide All-America after leading all wide receivers
State University and Louisiana Tech,
with 15 touchdown receptions
both of which joined the WAC this fall.
season. Mays already is the all-time record-holder with 27 catches touchdowns and is fourth in yardage school history with 2,175 yards. Mays can become the all-time WAC • touchdown reception leader with 15 more scores this season. Other standout players and All-Star
8 • UTEP NOVA
This season, UTEP will face Boise
UTEP will play 12 games in 2001, including six home games for the first time since 1995. Although UTEP will not play Fresno State University this season, the Miners will play non-conference games against Texas Southern, the University of New Mexico, southern powerhouse Alabama,
candidates include members of the
and a nationally televised game
offensive line such as sophomore Trey
Sept. 13 against Texas Tech that will
Darilek, right tackle; junior Ariel
air on ESPN2. ~