Veteran linemen are UTEP's foundation Bret Bloomquist, Wochit
There were quite a few items on the offensive agenda last season as UTEP looked to improve on by far the nation's worst offense. But the one everything else hinged on was getting good play from a veteran and proven offensive line.
In the opening weeks of fall practice, fifth-year senior center Derron Gatewood was lost to a knee injury, then sophomore tackle Greg Long, who emerged as a dominant lineman as a freshman, was lost to a shoulder injury.
They were just the tip of a wrong-way spear, as injuries snowballed all across the line all season and a revolving cast of new starters had to step in.