While three of UTEP's four running backs have been in the program at least two years, New Mexico State probably will lean on a junior college transfer playing in his second game Saturday.
Marquell Colston, though, was one of the brightest spots for the Aggies in the opening 38-7 loss to Nebraska, as he scored the touchdown while gaining 45 yards on eight carries..
Last year for ModestoJunior College (Calif.), Colston rushed for 951 yards and was Modesto's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 2,370 in only twoseasons.
"He looked pretty good, quick and fast,"
quarterback Chase Holbrook said. "It looked to me like he had good vision."
# Strong debut: Redshirt freshman Julius Fleming had a game-high 136 all-purpose yards against the Cornhuskers. Fleming had four kickoff returns for 76 yards, including a long of 22, while catching two passes for 60 yards.
# Slash back: Like UTEP with James Thomas II, NMSU has its ownall-purpose, skill-positionplayer. Wes Neiman had three rushes for 30 yards against Nebraska, had four catches for 36 yards and threw an incomplete pass.
He obviously is eager to see what his team can do against a Miner squad that the Aggies measure upbetter against physically.
"We have a lot of weapons we can stretch them with,"
the sophomore Neiman said. "Now that we have the first game out of the way, we'llbe all right. (UTEP) is not nearly as big as Nebraska, it should be easier getting off the line. We can get where we need to be faster."
