Miners seek motivation against UNT

Buy PhotoThe narrative is actually simple.

If the UTEP football team plays with heart and passion Saturday against North Texas in the 2 p.m. kickoff, if it cares, the Miners can hang with a Mean Green team playing for a bowl game.

If they don't, they can't, because North Texas most certainly will care.

"Play hard, play with a passion," tight end Hayden Plinke said. "There's no secret formula to football. It's the ultimate team sport and when you play hard, good things happen. We have to be passionate, fast and athletic. They are one win from a bowl, so we know they are going to play with passion."

UTEP has to be a question mark in that respect after its no-show against Rice, but strictly in…