RUSTON, La. — UTEP's 41-31 loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday night was simultaneously wildly strange and, for the Miners, depressingly normal.
The Miners put themselves in position for one of the program's all-time biggest comebacks with its most dominant stretch of football this season, but ultimately couldn't overcome the usual sea of mistakes and a horrific start to the game reminiscent of what they were putting on the field in 2018.
The Miners managed to cut a 30-10 halftime deficit to 30-24 early in the fourth quarter and at that point held a 421-265 edge in yards, but as soon as they were close enough to dream, the Bulldogs went 87 yards in four plays, converted a two-point conversion and forced a UTEP three-and-out.