UTEP’s football game last week against Florida Atlantic had reached decision time, the Miners faced a win-or-lose third-and-6 with 3:30 to play and what happened next was the most predictable path to survival.
Gavin Hardison to Tyrin Smith, 16 yards, first down, game saved. Soon enough the Miners lined up for the winning field goal in a 24-21 walk-off.
In the general mayhem of a crazy fourth quarter, that third-down conversion was somewhat forgotten, but it spoke to the receiver Smith has become.
As UTEP looks to push above .500 Saturday against Middle Tennessee, a major reason the Miners remain in bowl contention is the play of Smith, a junior, and also what he represents.