Evan Davis will will be able to play this Friday against Houston at Robertson Stadium. (Photo courtesy of UTEP Athletics)

EL PASO, Texas – The long grind of spring and fall practices took their tolls on the UTEP football team, but knowing they’d start their season Sept. 4 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff was all the motivation they needed to stay on that grind.

When the home opener finally came, the Miners (1-0) defeated the Golden Lions 31-10 and celebrated their win by walking over to the UTEP Marching Band and singing the fight song. Three players were absent though: Evan Davis, Travaun Nixon and Marlon McClure.

The trio had been suspended for the first game and was forced to watch their teammates play and celebrate a win. McClure and Nixon were out due to a suspension of team rules, while Davis was suspended indefinitely for a domestic incident involving his girlfriend that ended with him being arrested.

“It feels great (to be back). I kind of felt like I let my team down last week,” Davis said. “That’s something I did not intend to do. … It just feels good to be back.”

That extra week off made each player hungrier to get on the field, but more importantly, it humbled all three of them. All three had a hop in there step, especially Davis who had been quiet all last week, as they jogged onto Glory Road Field and for good reason.

“I didn’t get to play last week, I was watching from the stands,” Nixon said. “It was kind of hard not being out there to play (with my teammates). … I’ve been waiting ever since (Camp) Socorro to come back out here.”

Nixon and McClure have been practicing with the team, only as scout team players though. Despite that adversity, both brought a hardworking mentality.

“It makes me want to make every play I can,” Nixon said of working his way back. “It starts in practice though.”

Neither pouted, nor complained. Instead they practiced as if they were with the first team and because of that McClure earned a Scout Team Player of the Week award.

“It means a lot for me because I work so hard everyday in practice,” McClure said. “It really paid off for me, I’m proud of myself for doing that.”

Truth be told, all three players are happy to be back and contributing, but their true pleasure will come when they finally get to suit up for the first time on Friday against Houston at Robertson Stadium.

Only then will all three be able to do what their teammates did almost a week ago, take in the moment.

“Everyone’s going to be watching, I’ve just got to come out and play,” McClure said.

Quotes and quips from No. 17

This section of the notebook started off as an off-the-record conversation, but after picking Russell Carr’s brain it was obvious he has plenty of good things to say.

So in the interest of sharing a small piece of the UTEP football team, we’ll include a quote from the junior wide out every notebook. They crack us up and our hope is they’ll put a smile on your face as well. Unfortunately, Carr could not keep up with the demand so we don’t have a quote from him today.

Injury update

The biggest question everyone keeps asking us is, “What is the status of Donald Buckram? As of Tuesday, Buckram was suited up with pads but did not participate in practice. Instead he was jogging around the practice field. That’s a good sign because last week he was walking stiffly.

To catch up on what happen with the senior tailback, read the story by clicking here. Here’s the follow up.

Braxton Amy was held out of a few drills on Tuesday, but was jogging for awhile during practice.

“I guess he kind of irritated his knee jumping around on the sidelines (last Saturday),” Price quipped.

Losing the red jersey

Craig Wenrick has not had the red no-hit jersey on for a few days and could be ready to start participating in contact drills. He a few passes at Tuesday afternoon’s practice and may be close to gameday action.

Carlos M. Silva, Jr. may be reached at show@minerillustrated.com.