New Mexico Bowl, BYU Vs. UTEP: Cougars Strike First, Lead 7-0

We're off to an action-packed start here in Albuquerque for the 2010 New Mexico Bowl. UTEP gets the ball to start, and right out of the gate, Trevor Vittatoe hits Marlon McClure for a 12-yard gain down the right side. The gain is short-lived, as Vittatoe scrambles backwards for a 13-yard loss. The Miners manage to convert a 3rd-and-22 into a 4th-and-13, but are forced to punt, and allow JD Faslev to return the ball 43 yards. This first series has been pure essence of UTEP. If you turned the television off right now, you'd understand perfectly what this program is all about.

Already in favorable field position before the offense even takes the field, the Cougars strike quickly, with running back JJ Di Luigi hitting Cody Hoffman over the middle for a 31-yard pass. Bryan Kariya rolls into the endzone on a 4-yard rush two plays later, and BYU draws first blood on the scoreboard. With 10:35 remaining in the first quarter, BYU leads UTEP 7-0 in the 2010 New Mexico Bowl.