September 9, 2025 • 16 mins
Longtime play-by-play voice of the UTEP Miners Jon Teicher joins the program to preview the UTEP Miners, who will take on Texas this Saturday at 3:15pm at DKR.
They discuss key players to watch for in the matchup and the Miners' culture under head coach Scotty Walden.
They discuss key players to watch for in the matchup and the Miners' culture under head coach Scotty Walden.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Speaking the Kings, a guy who's certainly certainly dean of
the play by play voices in this state, joins us
now on the Hotline, now in his forty fifth season
as the play by play voice of the UTEP Minors
as John Tischer or joins us now, John, I really
appreciate the time.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
How are you.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Today, good, Craig. Great to be with you and looking
forward to heading to Austin and being a DKR on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Does it seem like you've been at it for forty
five years?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
No?
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Absolutely not, And I guess if it did, Craig, I
wouldn't be doing this anymore.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'd find something else to do. But it's every bit
as exciting and interesting and enjoyable as it was when
I first started this back in nineteen eighty one UTEP
and still look forward to each and every day preparing
for what transpires on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I would imagine both of us.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
In fact, most play by play guys are certain creatures
of habit on certain things, and that includes, you know,
the people that work around and with you.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So I am kind of curious, you know.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Uh, It's it's not often that that you know that
we see, uh, you know, a change in the booth
with the analyst, but you've got something unique in the
booth this year in a former UTEB coach and Aaron Price.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How's that gone so far?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah? He actually his his. Aaron's first game with me
was last week, Craig. But you know, I've known and
worked with Aaron as as broadcaster and coach for for
over twenty years.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
So it's it's not.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Like we were starting from that relationship from scratch. So
we had a good time last Saturday, and in order
to continue.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
At d k R this Saturday, let me get your
thoughts on the the second season for Scottie Walden because
I want to I mentioned this once on the air
on my show, and I'm going to mention it again.
Uh that every every summer at the Texas High School
Coaches Association's annual Coaching School, I have the pleasure of
(02:03):
moderating a panel discussion with all now thirteen Division one
FBS coaches and they're all up on the stage and
my charge is to make sure that every one of
them gets to speak a couple of times at least
within an hour's time frame, which is a little bit
of a challenge, but I have to say that one
of the more delightful guys to come across and to
(02:24):
visit with, one of the more engaging people was coach Walden,
and we had a great conversation both before and during
the panel and then afterwards as well. And I know
there's a great deal of excitement and optimism surrounding him.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
He kind of just exudes optimism, doesn't he.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Yeah, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
And he was the perfect hire at the perfect place
at the perfect time, Craig. Last year, he was the
second youngest Division one or FBS head coach in the country.
And just his energy and his enthusiasm I think is
a template for G five programs and certainly the UTEP
(03:03):
program moving forward. But he's infused so much energy and
enthusiasm and belief.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
In this particular program.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
You know, I listen to him talk and I can't
believe the wisdom that he has at the tender young
age of thirty five. But he's been a head coach
for what seven eight years now at various levels, so
you know, he's I think he's certainly learned his lessons well.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Well. One of the things.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Even in that panel discussion was asked that was put
before the coaches is how to build a program? What
are the things that you do, because you know, we
were in a room with like nine hundred high school
coaches and they're all taking copious notes about how you
start and build and improve and establish a program. And
I was I was impressed with his answers about it
(03:54):
because what he talked about is and it was similar
to what I remember coach Keishen talking about when first
got here, about getting getting bigger, faster, stronger. Everybody endeavors
to do that, but you have to make sure to
do that. And he said, we had a mission to
do that at Austin p and that's what he did
(04:17):
in nine and three in his final season there, and
I would imagine that's probably a keynote for him, is
to build up not only build up the talent base,
but to really build it up in its skill and size.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Level, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
And I think it's very obvious to those that watched
the program that the Miners are much bigger, faster, and
stronger in twenty twenty five than they were in twenty
twenty four. One of the things that Scotty has done,
you know, he's a Texas native and he and his
staff Craig have absolutely blanketed the lone star state. In fact,
(04:52):
no program has signed more Texas high school kids over
the last two years than Scotty Walden and his staff haves,
so that has been a big, big priority for him.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
I want to ask you about Sean Wilson, Hassan Wilson,
who had that ninety four yard touchdown run the other
night against you T Martin and rushed for over one
hundred and seventeen yards. Son'll folks a little bit about
the makeup of this guy and the caliber running.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Back he is.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, you know a kid that played at Charlotte for
a couple of years and was the forty nine ers
leading rusher last season average better than six yards catch,
had a couple of one hundred yard games. He's a bigger, physical,
more physical back and miners having the rest of the
(05:42):
rest of their stable and kind of had to wait
behind camp Thomas the first week of the year. In fact,
didn't get but a pass reception in that opening game
against Utah State. With cam Thomas unavailable. Last week, Song
got his opportunity.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
And actually, and this is the one undred and eighth.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Year of UTEP football, competition. The longest play from scrimmage
last week in the history of the program, a ninety
four yard touchdown run in UTEP's home opener. So he's
been he's been a welcome.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Edition, no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Okay, John, everybody's going to zero went on Malachi Nelson
and I guess that kind of figures given his high
profile in his recruiting. In fact, arch Manning was asked
in the news conference yesterday how acquainted he was since
was around that same time, and he said, yeah, we
know each other.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I've texted him a couple of times. Nice guy.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Wishing the best to look the rest of the season,
obviously after this week. But you know this, I know
some folks should say, how did this guy wind up
here because he started off at USC, but it looks
like he's really found a home there and he'll pass it.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well, it's an opportunity, is what it is, Craig.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
He didn't play at USC, he didn't play at Boise State.
He needed an opportunity to get out on the field.
So he may not be making the kind of cash
that others in his situation are making.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
But what he does get here at UTEP and what
he has.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Received is an opportunity, and I think that's one of
the great aspects of Saturday's matchup is you've got two
of the most highly recruited players in the class of
twenty twenty three at clashing at quarterback with Malachi Nelson
and Arch Manning on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Visiting with John Tys, who the play by play voice
of the UTEP miners here on thirteen under the Zone,
Let's talk about this Orange warm defense.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
I've been meaning to ask about them.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Ten sacks recorded in the first two games that ties
for number one in the country in FBS and tied
for second on the five and a half sacks.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Per game average.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
What's been the big thing that you've noticed about this
group that has made them as aggressive and as effective
as they've been early.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Well, one of the things so that Walden and his
staff did this offseason, Craig, is they went into the.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Transfer portal, and you know, they took some FBS.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Kids, but they took a lot of kids from the
FCS level, from the Division two level, and from the
A level, and they were all producers, very productive at
their respective levels.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So, for instance, they brought in a kid.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Named Mishad Hall, who was an HBCU All American, had
eleven sacks and fourteen tackles for loss last year at
South Carolina State, kid named Udoka Zani, who has been
all over the place the first two UTEP games, didn't
really get an opportunity last year at Boise State, has
gotten that opportunity at UTEP in twenty twenty five and
(08:46):
thus far has been very productive.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
They've got a kid on the corner and.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Neil Campbell who was a two time NAIA All American
at Indiana wesley In, a three time team captain, a
three time first team All League players sixteen career interceptions
in forty nine career games at Indiana Wesleyans so highly
productive players and several of them that Walden and his
(09:13):
staff have gone out and brought into this hugep program well.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And I would imagine also this is going to be
one of the keys that coach Walden be stressing with
his teammate with his team going into the Saturday's game
and really brings home a real major point I think
in this game, and it's third downs because here come
the Miners first and conference to us a tenth in
FBS in opponent third down commersions. The Miners have only
(09:39):
allowed six third downs to be converted in twenty nine attempts.
That's an average of under twenty one percent. Meanwhile, the
long Horn offense at times looking really really good, but
they've also sputtered on third downs, only converted to in
twelve attempts last Saturday. And I would imagine that's going
to be one of the crucial things that's stressed to
the minor d is to keep on keeping on with
(10:01):
regard to this turned down stuff.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Yeah, I think down in distance will be key Craig
for you Teb, both offensively and defensively. Obviously, offensively you
can't get behind the chains, and probably the Miners are
going to need to put the longhorns and in some
uncomfortable situations offensively as well in terms of down and distance.
So it's going to be interesting to see how that goes.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Let me get back, go back to this thing. At
that point you may just a moment ago and get
you to expand on it a little bit. Because Sark
was asked about this as well, and about guys who transfer,
and he said it is fascinating. He said, when you
go up against guys who played for you at another program,
and he said, it's fascinating that, but also just fascinating
to watch growth of guys. And he said, you know,
(10:48):
some guys elect the state of program and it winds
up serving them well, and other ones it winds up
not serving them well. He brought up Michael Taff the
Long Runs Veteran Safety as a guy who came in
as a walk gone and kind of persevered and he said,
but you know what, that path isn't for everybody. And
then he talked about, you know, the transfers that they've
gotten in and he said, it's always interesting to watch
(11:10):
guys who you may have recruited at the time, and
because he was also asked about Malachi but since Texas
had recruited him at the time that he landed at
USC to see him progress. And I guess on a
larger scale that speaks to what you were talking about,
with what Coach Walden and his staff were looking at,
being unafraid to dip into the FCS or D two
(11:32):
or as you said, even the NAI pool to find
guys who and correct me if you differ with me
on this, have to be the right fit for the program.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And it looks like coach Walden has.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
That well, and what they call it, Craig is okags
are kind of guys.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
Yeah, you tep under Scotty Walden has become very.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Very particular in terms of the type of kids that
they want to uh to coach and want to be
a part of this program. So not only producers at
at levels below.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
The the FBS level, but kids that are.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Okags are kind of guys, and that those are the
type of kids that Walden and his staff are bringing
in here at UTIP.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Here's the other thing I wanted to ask you about,
and this is in the ever changing landscape of college football.
I look at UTIP and Conference USA, and and I
look at those teams in Conference USA and and you
you have road trips obviously playing Sam Houston down in
(12:38):
Houston in their temporary home as well. Uh, but you
go to Kennesaw, Georgia, you go to New Art, Delaware,
You've got to Springfield, Missouri.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
So it's kind of far flung.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And I know there's bigger things on the horizon for
the miners, But it makes it unusual, doesn't it in
the in this day and age of college football.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Yeah, I think we're I think we're going to four places,
believe it or not this year, Craig that I've never
done a game before in football, so that that does
make it a little bit different. But again, as you
said on the horizon, this comes to an end in
twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six, minors are going
back with several of their longtime rivals from the Western
(13:18):
Athletic Conference days at the Mountain West Conference, so things
will get a little more sane in twenty twenty six
moving forward for UTEP Athletics.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Hey, John, it's a great pleasure to visit with you
as always, so look forward to and I will tell
you this because you've been to DKR a few times
so you know what it's like, the visiting radio boots
in the same spot. But just to let you know,
because there's ongoing construction, what they did is they what's
directly in front of you, and what has been directly
in front of you and still is the photo deck area.
(13:51):
The lower part has been raised up so in order
to give you sight line, they've built like a riser
platform in your booth.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
There's one in our booth as well.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Still being able to see over the top, but it's
a slightly different look for you.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
It'll be just fine, Craig. You know when you've done
it as long as I have.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
As you well know, Craig, you see a little bit
of everything in your travels, don't you.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
No doubt about it? Absolutely? Hey, John, I appreciate it.
Travel safely. Look forward to seeing you this weekend here
in Austin.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Me too, Craig.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Thanks, all right, you bet.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
That's John Teicher, play by play voice of the UTEP Miners.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
I first met John. Gosh.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
This goes back to December of nineteen ninety four. Texas
was playing in the Sun Bowl game against a North
Carolina team coach by Mac Brown, but also the Long
Worn basketball team was playing and I believe it was
called the Sun Carnival Holiday Basketball Tournament, and that's where
our first.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Met John back then.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
So this would have been December of nineteen ninety four,
and it was this great anticipation because the you know,
the legendary Don Haskins was coaching UTEP at the time,
of course, had won the first National championshi Ship for
a school in the state of Texas and NCAA basketball
with that that groundbreaking starting five back in nineteen sixty six,
(15:09):
the first All Blacks starting five and they beat Kentucky
to win the NCAA Championship at colefield House in College Park, Maryland.
But and coach Haskins the Bear was still the head
coach there, and it was this great anticipation of Texas
and UTEP meeting in the tournament final. Was really looking
forward to it, and UTIP got upset in the in
the semi final the first game, I believe it was
(15:33):
by Washington State, and or maybe it was even Pan
am Texas Pan American and the Lo Orange founded up
playing them, I guess in the tournament final after they
had played Washington State the night before, So unfortunately I
didn't get to play him there. But that's where I
met John at that tournament there, and then of course
Texas played in that Sunball game.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I always enjoyed going l Pass So it's a nice town.
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Up next, we'll bring you Inconceivable, which does have a
college football note to it, not that it's that inconceivable
that there can be bad officiating in certain leagues. This
particular call is just downright weird. We'll get to that,
(16:20):
and also we'll get to more of your text questions,
like I said, if you had a go to breakfast cereal,
you can only have one, one flavor, one variety for
the rest of your life.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
What would it be? And there's some people responding on that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
We'll get to that because the reason why I say
that is because we have a breakfast cereal item in
our junk food Fast Food to update here for inconceivable.
That's up next when we continue right here on sports
Radio AM thirteen under the Zone and where you always
find us for free on the irt radio app.
Speaking the Kings, a guy who's certainly certainly dean of
the play by play voices in this state, joins us
now on the Hotline, now in his forty fifth season
as the play by play voice of the UTEP Minors
as John Tischer or joins us now, John, I really
appreciate the time.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
How are you.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Today, good, Craig. Great to be with you and looking
forward to heading to Austin and being a DKR on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Does it seem like you've been at it for forty
five years?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
No?
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Absolutely not, And I guess if it did, Craig, I
wouldn't be doing this anymore.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'd find something else to do. But it's every bit
as exciting and interesting and enjoyable as it was when
I first started this back in nineteen eighty one UTEP
and still look forward to each and every day preparing
for what transpires on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I would imagine both of us.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
In fact, most play by play guys are certain creatures
of habit on certain things, and that includes, you know,
the people that work around and with you.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So I am kind of curious, you know.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Uh, It's it's not often that that you know that
we see, uh, you know, a change in the booth
with the analyst, but you've got something unique in the
booth this year in a former UTEB coach and Aaron Price.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How's that gone so far?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah? He actually his his. Aaron's first game with me
was last week, Craig. But you know, I've known and
worked with Aaron as as broadcaster and coach for for
over twenty years.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
So it's it's not.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Like we were starting from that relationship from scratch. So
we had a good time last Saturday, and in order
to continue.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
At d k R this Saturday, let me get your
thoughts on the the second season for Scottie Walden because
I want to I mentioned this once on the air
on my show, and I'm going to mention it again.
Uh that every every summer at the Texas High School
Coaches Association's annual Coaching School, I have the pleasure of
(02:03):
moderating a panel discussion with all now thirteen Division one
FBS coaches and they're all up on the stage and
my charge is to make sure that every one of
them gets to speak a couple of times at least
within an hour's time frame, which is a little bit
of a challenge, but I have to say that one
of the more delightful guys to come across and to
(02:24):
visit with, one of the more engaging people was coach Walden,
and we had a great conversation both before and during
the panel and then afterwards as well. And I know
there's a great deal of excitement and optimism surrounding him.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
He kind of just exudes optimism, doesn't he.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Yeah, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
And he was the perfect hire at the perfect place
at the perfect time, Craig. Last year, he was the
second youngest Division one or FBS head coach in the country.
And just his energy and his enthusiasm I think is
a template for G five programs and certainly the UTEP
(03:03):
program moving forward. But he's infused so much energy and
enthusiasm and belief.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
In this particular program.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
You know, I listen to him talk and I can't
believe the wisdom that he has at the tender young
age of thirty five. But he's been a head coach
for what seven eight years now at various levels, so
you know, he's I think he's certainly learned his lessons well.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Well. One of the things.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Even in that panel discussion was asked that was put
before the coaches is how to build a program? What
are the things that you do, because you know, we
were in a room with like nine hundred high school
coaches and they're all taking copious notes about how you
start and build and improve and establish a program. And
I was I was impressed with his answers about it
(03:54):
because what he talked about is and it was similar
to what I remember coach Keishen talking about when first
got here, about getting getting bigger, faster, stronger. Everybody endeavors
to do that, but you have to make sure to
do that. And he said, we had a mission to
do that at Austin p and that's what he did
(04:17):
in nine and three in his final season there, and
I would imagine that's probably a keynote for him, is
to build up not only build up the talent base,
but to really build it up in its skill and size.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Level, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
And I think it's very obvious to those that watched
the program that the Miners are much bigger, faster, and
stronger in twenty twenty five than they were in twenty
twenty four. One of the things that Scotty has done,
you know, he's a Texas native and he and his
staff Craig have absolutely blanketed the lone star state. In fact,
(04:52):
no program has signed more Texas high school kids over
the last two years than Scotty Walden and his staff haves,
so that has been a big, big priority for him.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
I want to ask you about Sean Wilson, Hassan Wilson,
who had that ninety four yard touchdown run the other
night against you T Martin and rushed for over one
hundred and seventeen yards. Son'll folks a little bit about
the makeup of this guy and the caliber running.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Back he is.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, you know a kid that played at Charlotte for
a couple of years and was the forty nine ers
leading rusher last season average better than six yards catch,
had a couple of one hundred yard games. He's a bigger, physical,
more physical back and miners having the rest of the
(05:42):
rest of their stable and kind of had to wait
behind camp Thomas the first week of the year. In fact,
didn't get but a pass reception in that opening game
against Utah State. With cam Thomas unavailable. Last week, Song
got his opportunity.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
And actually, and this is the one undred and eighth.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Year of UTEP football, competition. The longest play from scrimmage
last week in the history of the program, a ninety
four yard touchdown run in UTEP's home opener. So he's
been he's been a welcome.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Edition, no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Okay, John, everybody's going to zero went on Malachi Nelson
and I guess that kind of figures given his high
profile in his recruiting. In fact, arch Manning was asked
in the news conference yesterday how acquainted he was since
was around that same time, and he said, yeah, we
know each other.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I've texted him a couple of times. Nice guy.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Wishing the best to look the rest of the season,
obviously after this week. But you know this, I know
some folks should say, how did this guy wind up
here because he started off at USC, but it looks
like he's really found a home there and he'll pass it.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well, it's an opportunity, is what it is, Craig.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
He didn't play at USC, he didn't play at Boise State.
He needed an opportunity to get out on the field.
So he may not be making the kind of cash
that others in his situation are making.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
But what he does get here at UTEP and what
he has.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Received is an opportunity, and I think that's one of
the great aspects of Saturday's matchup is you've got two
of the most highly recruited players in the class of
twenty twenty three at clashing at quarterback with Malachi Nelson
and Arch Manning on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Visiting with John Tys, who the play by play voice
of the UTEP miners here on thirteen under the Zone,
Let's talk about this Orange warm defense.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
I've been meaning to ask about them.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Ten sacks recorded in the first two games that ties
for number one in the country in FBS and tied
for second on the five and a half sacks.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Per game average.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
What's been the big thing that you've noticed about this
group that has made them as aggressive and as effective
as they've been early.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Well, one of the things so that Walden and his
staff did this offseason, Craig, is they went into the.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Transfer portal, and you know, they took some FBS.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Kids, but they took a lot of kids from the
FCS level, from the Division two level, and from the
A level, and they were all producers, very productive at
their respective levels.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So, for instance, they brought in a kid.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Named Mishad Hall, who was an HBCU All American, had
eleven sacks and fourteen tackles for loss last year at
South Carolina State, kid named Udoka Zani, who has been
all over the place the first two UTEP games, didn't
really get an opportunity last year at Boise State, has
gotten that opportunity at UTEP in twenty twenty five and
(08:46):
thus far has been very productive.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
They've got a kid on the corner and.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Neil Campbell who was a two time NAIA All American
at Indiana wesley In, a three time team captain, a
three time first team All League players sixteen career interceptions
in forty nine career games at Indiana Wesleyans so highly
productive players and several of them that Walden and his
(09:13):
staff have gone out and brought into this hugep program well.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And I would imagine also this is going to be
one of the keys that coach Walden be stressing with
his teammate with his team going into the Saturday's game
and really brings home a real major point I think
in this game, and it's third downs because here come
the Miners first and conference to us a tenth in
FBS in opponent third down commersions. The Miners have only
(09:39):
allowed six third downs to be converted in twenty nine attempts.
That's an average of under twenty one percent. Meanwhile, the
long Horn offense at times looking really really good, but
they've also sputtered on third downs, only converted to in
twelve attempts last Saturday. And I would imagine that's going
to be one of the crucial things that's stressed to
the minor d is to keep on keeping on with
(10:01):
regard to this turned down stuff.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Yeah, I think down in distance will be key Craig
for you Teb, both offensively and defensively. Obviously, offensively you
can't get behind the chains, and probably the Miners are
going to need to put the longhorns and in some
uncomfortable situations offensively as well in terms of down and distance.
So it's going to be interesting to see how that goes.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Let me get back, go back to this thing. At
that point you may just a moment ago and get
you to expand on it a little bit. Because Sark
was asked about this as well, and about guys who transfer,
and he said it is fascinating. He said, when you
go up against guys who played for you at another program,
and he said, it's fascinating that, but also just fascinating
to watch growth of guys. And he said, you know,
(10:48):
some guys elect the state of program and it winds
up serving them well, and other ones it winds up
not serving them well. He brought up Michael Taff the
Long Runs Veteran Safety as a guy who came in
as a walk gone and kind of persevered and he said,
but you know what, that path isn't for everybody. And
then he talked about, you know, the transfers that they've
gotten in and he said, it's always interesting to watch
(11:10):
guys who you may have recruited at the time, and
because he was also asked about Malachi but since Texas
had recruited him at the time that he landed at
USC to see him progress. And I guess on a
larger scale that speaks to what you were talking about,
with what Coach Walden and his staff were looking at,
being unafraid to dip into the FCS or D two
(11:32):
or as you said, even the NAI pool to find
guys who and correct me if you differ with me
on this, have to be the right fit for the program.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And it looks like coach Walden has.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
That well, and what they call it, Craig is okags
are kind of guys.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
Yeah, you tep under Scotty Walden has become very.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Very particular in terms of the type of kids that
they want to uh to coach and want to be
a part of this program. So not only producers at
at levels below.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
The the FBS level, but kids that are.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Okags are kind of guys, and that those are the
type of kids that Walden and his staff are bringing
in here at UTIP.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Here's the other thing I wanted to ask you about,
and this is in the ever changing landscape of college football.
I look at UTIP and Conference USA, and and I
look at those teams in Conference USA and and you
you have road trips obviously playing Sam Houston down in
(12:38):
Houston in their temporary home as well. Uh, but you
go to Kennesaw, Georgia, you go to New Art, Delaware,
You've got to Springfield, Missouri.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
So it's kind of far flung.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And I know there's bigger things on the horizon for
the miners, But it makes it unusual, doesn't it in
the in this day and age of college football.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Yeah, I think we're I think we're going to four places,
believe it or not this year, Craig that I've never
done a game before in football, so that that does
make it a little bit different. But again, as you
said on the horizon, this comes to an end in
twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six, minors are going
back with several of their longtime rivals from the Western
(13:18):
Athletic Conference days at the Mountain West Conference, so things
will get a little more sane in twenty twenty six
moving forward for UTEP Athletics.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Hey, John, it's a great pleasure to visit with you
as always, so look forward to and I will tell
you this because you've been to DKR a few times
so you know what it's like, the visiting radio boots
in the same spot. But just to let you know,
because there's ongoing construction, what they did is they what's
directly in front of you, and what has been directly
in front of you and still is the photo deck area.
(13:51):
The lower part has been raised up so in order
to give you sight line, they've built like a riser
platform in your booth.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
There's one in our booth as well.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Still being able to see over the top, but it's
a slightly different look for you.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
It'll be just fine, Craig. You know when you've done
it as long as I have.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
As you well know, Craig, you see a little bit
of everything in your travels, don't you.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
No doubt about it? Absolutely? Hey, John, I appreciate it.
Travel safely. Look forward to seeing you this weekend here
in Austin.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Me too, Craig.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Thanks, all right, you bet.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
That's John Teicher, play by play voice of the UTEP Miners.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
I first met John. Gosh.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
This goes back to December of nineteen ninety four. Texas
was playing in the Sun Bowl game against a North
Carolina team coach by Mac Brown, but also the Long
Worn basketball team was playing and I believe it was
called the Sun Carnival Holiday Basketball Tournament, and that's where
our first.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Met John back then.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
So this would have been December of nineteen ninety four,
and it was this great anticipation because the you know,
the legendary Don Haskins was coaching UTEP at the time,
of course, had won the first National championshi Ship for
a school in the state of Texas and NCAA basketball
with that that groundbreaking starting five back in nineteen sixty six,
(15:09):
the first All Blacks starting five and they beat Kentucky
to win the NCAA Championship at colefield House in College Park, Maryland.
But and coach Haskins the Bear was still the head
coach there, and it was this great anticipation of Texas
and UTEP meeting in the tournament final. Was really looking
forward to it, and UTIP got upset in the in
the semi final the first game, I believe it was
(15:33):
by Washington State, and or maybe it was even Pan
am Texas Pan American and the Lo Orange founded up
playing them, I guess in the tournament final after they
had played Washington State the night before, So unfortunately I
didn't get to play him there. But that's where I
met John at that tournament there, and then of course
Texas played in that Sunball game.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I always enjoyed going l Pass So it's a nice town.
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Up next, we'll bring you Inconceivable, which does have a
college football note to it, not that it's that inconceivable
that there can be bad officiating in certain leagues. This
particular call is just downright weird. We'll get to that,
(16:20):
and also we'll get to more of your text questions,
like I said, if you had a go to breakfast cereal,
you can only have one, one flavor, one variety for
the rest of your life.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
What would it be? And there's some people responding on that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
We'll get to that because the reason why I say
that is because we have a breakfast cereal item in
our junk food Fast Food to update here for inconceivable.
That's up next when we continue right here on sports
Radio AM thirteen under the Zone and where you always
find us for free on the irt radio app.
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