UTEP had been victim to big plays in the past and also against New Mexico State, which had plays of 82 and 78 yards. Coach Sean Kugler feels the new defensive scheme, which doesn't have nearly as much man coverage on the outside, will help limit that damage.
"We were in man coverage a very high percentage of the snaps (last year) and one guy gets beat, it's a chance for a big play," Kugler said. "When you’re playing more zone coverage, even if a guy were to get beat, you still have somebody over the top to protect that.