One of the most fascinating stories of the 2021 college football season was the rapid ascension of the UTEP Miners. From 2017-19, captivating sunsets and scenic mountain backdrops at the Sun Bowl were the only thing working in the program’s favor. But after faring 2-34 across those three seasons, head coach Dana Dimel utilized the 2020 pandemic-riddled season to teach the team how to win regardless of the schedule, and the Miners finished 3-5 with two FCS victories.
In 2021, the winning culture he manifested finally came to fruition as the sport’s scheduling returned to normal. UTEP rattled off seven victories to claim its first winning campaign since 2014, and the Miners qualified for the New Mexico Bowl — where they came within a touchdown of a heavily-favored Fresno State squad.