By any measure, the UTEP defense looked dramatically improved in Friday's second big scrimmage of spring.
Perhaps the most encouraging statistic was one of the most basic: The 70-minute scrimmage was past its halfway mark before the defense missed its first tackle.
There was plenty to like in other areas, but with the Miners, all matters on the defensive side have begun, and too often ended, with tackling, and this was as fine of a day in that regard as they've had in years.
"That's what we've been working on all spring," said safety Brendan Royal, who had three tackles.