The area where UTEP hopes to have the biggest instant upgrade is in the punt and kick return game.
Junior college transfer Terry Juniel, who missed last year to injury, is the primary punt returner and also will get the first crack at a kickoff return. Walter Dawn could work in at kickoff returner as well.
"That's the whole reason I got recruited: my return skills back in junior college," Juniel said. "That's a lot of pressure, but pressure makes diamonds. I look forward to that; I like pressure on myself."
As for New Mexico State, UTEP coach Sean Kugler had an odd warning after noting New Mexico State has a new special teams coordinator in Zane Vance.