UTEP takes huge step forward in Monroe to set up turnaround

UTEP football fundamentally changed Saturday at Louisiana-Monroe.

A 31-6 victory that marked the most complete game, the best UTEP victory since 2016, could well mark the beginning of a new era, the day a corner was turned.

Sure, perspective is needed. ULM, a decent team last year, isn't good. This UTEP win looked much like Texas State's victory over the Warhawks last week. Of course, Texas State took UTSA to double overtime, UTSA looks like an elite Conference USA team and there's some perspective.

The Miners are now the only 3-1 college football team in the world.

There is precedent for what UTEP is doing. A team that is supposed to be poor wins a couple of games against lower-level programs,…