This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Albuquerque, N.M. • The New Mexico Bowl became known for wild finishes the previous two Decembers, with Arizona and Colorado State rallying for improbable victories.

In Saturday's episode, Utah State and Texas-El Paso got their crazy finish out of the way in the first half — without either team scoring in that phase of USU's 21-6 victory.

Each team failed to convert a seemingly easy field goal, with UTEP's Mike Ruggles botching a hold and USU kicker Nick Diaz missing his attempt. What happened during the 43 seconds in between was even more memorable.

The sequence started when USU coach Matt Wells let the Miners run down the clock, prior to their fourth-down play. That was sound strategy, because USU quarterback Kent Myers was in the locker room, being evaluated for a possible concussion.

The Aggies took over the ball at their 10-yard line after Ruggles was tackled by Tyler Floyd. Wells simply had receiver Ronald Butler, USU's emergency quarterback, take a direct snap and run — which he did, for 61 yards to the UTEP 29.

Butler then threw a nice pass that resulted in an interference penalty and, after a USU penalty, ran for 8 yards to the Miners' 11 with eight seconds remaining. Myers re-entered the game and almost delivered a touchdown pass, but Hunter Sharp failed to make the catch.

And then Diaz's kick was wide left, leaving USU with a 7-3 halftime lead — which could have been 7-6, 10-3 or even 14-3.

"Unfortunately, we weren't able to make that kick," Wells said. "I can handle that. That's a physical mistake. But I thought it was a nice job by Ronald, coming in for Kent."

Myers played the rest of the game, leading two touchdown drives, and Butler did not have any receptions.

Myers earned the game's outstanding offensive player award, thanks mostly to his 70 net rushing yards — after 30 yards were subtracted for sacks and other losses. The true freshman went 5-1 as a starter in November and December, following injuries to three other quarterbacks.

Twitter: @tribkurt J

Records for Utah State's starting quarterbacks in 2013 and '14:

O Darell Garretson 8-3

Kent Myers 5-1

Chuckie Keeton 5-4

Craig Harrison 1-1