'We didn't flinch': UTEP digs deep to overcome Florida Atlantic

There's an axiom around UTEP football that even in the best of times, matters will be harder than they have to be.

So it was in the latest best of times, a 24-21, last-play victory against Florida Atlantic where the Miners had to overcome one of the most unlikely, craziest turns of fortune in the strange history of the program.

Nonetheless, 4 minutes, 36 seconds after FAU was awarded a do-over on a game-tying extra point, UTEP showed some mettle it hasn't always shown. Over the final 13 plays, UTEP marched 65 yards to clinch the victory on Gavin Baechle's walk-off 27-yard field goal, the 51st of his career that gave him the school record.

"The effort those guys gave late in the game on field goal and PAT was unmatched," coach Dana Dimel said after his team leveled its record at 4-4 and stayed squarely in contention for a bowl. "We didn't flinch. We didn't flinch."

"All the stars aligned today," said Baechle, whose winner was his 15th consecutive made field goal. "I was happy with how we played and especially with my performance. It was funny because before the game I was talking to the guys, in high school and college I hadn't had a game-winning field goal yet. I finally got the opportunity.

"My guys believed in me, I believed in them and we executed."

They didn't flinch

There were multiple opportunities to flinch in this one. That UTEP was able to overcome some strange curveballs looks good for their chances going forward.

An FAU pick-6 gave the Owls a 14-6 lead midway through the third quarter against a UTEP team that appeared offensively stalled, but the Miners answered with two touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead.

Then, after a string of remarkable throws and catches put FAU on the brink of a tie at 21-20, the game went crazy. UTEP blocked the ensuing extra point and in the scramble for the ball Praise Amaewhule lost his helmet. He continued to chase the ball for almost 30 yards before realizing that was against the rules. He threw his hands up in the air, turned and ran away from the play.

After that happened, LaTrez Shelton scooped up the ball and returned it for an apparent two-point play. After a long conference, the officials ruled Amaewhule had participated in the play by running downfield with no helmet. After another conference, the officials said the penalty was before Shelton's recovery, thus before the change of possession, and gave FAU another extra point try from the 1-yard line.

The Owls, who didn't seem to consider a two-point conversion in what was a chaotic situation, made the do-over kick.

"It was kind of a weird game," Deion Hankins said after a career-high 138 yards, including a 72-yard run that turned the game in the third quarter.

"None of us have ever seen anything like that," Dimel said.

'The defense's best game'

UTEP didn't flinch. The Miners converted a third-and-6 on their next set of downs, starting a drive where they effectively ran the ball to get into range for a game-winner. With FAU going through its timeouts in an attempt to get the ball back, Ronald Awatt and Hankins kept grinding out first downs until Baechle was sent out to walk it off.

What that did was make a winner of UTEP's defensive effort, which was outstanding. The Miners gave up a touchdown in the first half, then didn't let FAU across midfield in the second half until the Owls' tying drive, which was more about spectacular catches in coverage than any shortcomings from UTEP.

"I think it was" the defense's best game, said Cal Wallerstedt, who set a career high with 11 tackles. "We only gave up a touchdown in the first half, a touchdown in the second half. We played well at all positions. All three levels helped us win."

"This is definitely up there with one of our best performances," said Jadrian Taylor, who had two sacks, a forced fumble and three-and-a-half tackles for loss. "It's always good to win a game on defense and support our offense. They were struggling at first, then they caught wind and started scoring."

Formula for success

Indeed, UTEP's formula for winning looks sustainable: Strong defense, a bruising running game (252 rushing yards, 170 of that in the second half) and steady short passes from Gavin Hardison, who was 16-of-26 passing and completed 6-of-10 after his pick-6.

"I believe in my team and what they can do from the start of the game to the end of the game," said Hankins, who had 99 of his yards on two carries. "I believe if we start fast any game is a possible win."

UTEP didn't start fast, but it finished with scores on three of its last four possessions when it scored 25 points. That included the game-winning drive when the Miners took over on their 25 with 4:36 to play.

"Just win, just win the game," Hardison said. "Take it one play at a time and execute each play."

After Hardison's pick-6, Hankins popped his 72-yard run, amazingly being tackled at the 5 on the definition of a shoestring tackle from a diving safety. Hardison walked in on a naked bootleg on the next play for his first career rushing touchdown.

After a defensive three-and-out, the UTEP offense went right back down the field for a lead, as Reynaldo Flores' scored on his first touchdown catch. He had two drops earlier in the game and the pick-6 went off his hand, though it was overthrown and Flores was adamant that he was interfered with on the play.

His touchdown looked like it would be enough, but there were still twists and turns to come.

Through all that, the Miners dug deep and found a way, something that forebodes well for the final four games.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'We didn't flinch': UTEP digs deep to overcome FAU