Now this reality sets in: UTEP and Dana Dimel will need a while to turn this around.
New schemes, a new regime, new colors and a renewed excitement didn't mean new results, as Northern Arizona of the lower division FCS simply outclassed the Miners.
The Lumberjacks controlled the game for all but a few minutes late in the first half and came away with a 30-10 victory in front of 17,271 fans, the smallest opening-game home crowd since 1976.
UTEP, which seemed to settle on Kai Locksley at quarterback after two possessions of Ryan Metz, extended the nation's longest losing streak to 13 games and will have work to do to keep that from snowballing in the coming weeks.