How the West was Won...or How Pete can win the Battle of the Facial Hair

Strategy, strategy, strategy. If you vote online, this is who you should vote for in Week 8 to ensure that Paydirt Pete keeps his place at the top.

1. You vote Pete, always and forever. Amen!

2. Joe Bruin vs. Big Red

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I can't help but love Big Red. I love clicking on his name and seeing the animation. This week is another BIG RED week.

3. Brutus vs. Mr. C

Our past opponents face off. We want to help Mr. C win because if we were to fall by 2 matchups, Brutus would have the higher total. MR.C it is!!!

4. Big Blue vs. Smokey

This one is a no-brainer. Even though we go up against Smokey in a few weeks, we need ODU to fall making us No. 1 so this is where we let the dogs out and vote SMOKEY

5. Monte vs. Goldy

We helped Monte last week, but that's all the help he's getting from us. We want to make sure that we secure out place. This week, we go for the Gophers ;) GOLDY!!!

6. Testudo vs. Bearcat

I can't help it. This one is a toss up. We faced Bearcat in week 1, we don't face Testudo, but I really want Testudo to get his first win so I'm going with the shell dude. Testudo! 

7. The Bird vs. Sebastian

After reading the forum post about how the voting has affected such a small school, my heart goes out to USAFA. This one you can choose, but I'm backing The BIRD!!! Especially after the Amigo Airshow and seeing the Thunderbirds do their thing!

8. Mike vs The Duck

This one is a toughie. Really tough. We faced the Duck, we helped the Duck lose twice. We face Mike in a few weeks. Hmmm....I love going for the underdogs though, so MIKE it is!!! GEAUX Mike. Grrr!

Also, a little hint. If you have Google Chrome, use that to vote. It allows you to go back and will save your changes and username requiring you to enter in a new CAPTCHA. And you don't have to do the write-in vote for your vote to be counted!

As always,
Vote now. Vote often!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 8 or The Battle of the Facial Hair

This week's opponent is none other than Joe Vandal of Idaho. He seems like a formidable opponent. This is the matchup everyone has been waiting for. It is time for these mascots to go Mustache-a-Mustache. It's time to show this Vandal exactly how a mustache needs to be properly groomed. We used to rock that "cool" I-don't-care-about-my-facial-hair look, but we've grown and look where it's gotten us! Don't worry Joe, I'm sure Pete is willing to give you some pointers.

ESPN had it right when they said Pete's mustache says, “I lack self-restraint not to hurt you." Well, we may not hurt you Joe but we're going to bring it as hard as we can this week and we expect for you to do the same! This will be a fair fight, and may the best facial hair win! Look out Joe, Pete is comin' and he has his clippers ready to help you tame that crazy beard. 

So Miners, don't forget. Vote now. Vote often. Tell your friends, your parents, your compadres, your tia, your tio, your abuelita, and your bearded friends. Vote for Paydirt Pete!

Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 7 Results

I couldn't wait for the official results. I will update this post as soon as they're in. I can tell you from first hand watching that we beat Ohio State's Brutus the Buckeye by a little less than 6000 votes. We successfully handed them their second loss this weekend. We also secured another W for Paydirt Pete.

Before I continue on, I just want to thank all the fans who have been putting in so much work getting the word out about the competition and using your savvy texting and internet skills to bring Pete to his 7th STRAIGHT win. This is exactly why Miner fans and the Miner Nation are the best.

Our Record as of Week 7:
Wins: 7
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 397,032
Place: 2nd


Check back for the update of this week's opponent and the strategy to win!


Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Strategy. Strategizing! or Let's beat some Buckeyes!

All these other blogs talk of strategy. How to get their mascot ahead by forming an alliance.

Well, obviously if you vote online you want to vote for Paydirt Pete because he's our main man.

Monte vs. the Duck
For the Matchup of the Week between Monte and the Duck. You want to select Monte. I know this sounds weird because we go up against Monte in Week 12. Monte is 4-2 and the Duck is 5-1. In the event we lose any of our matchups, we would fall below the Duck since he has more overall votes. So MONTE it is.

Smokey vs. Goldy
We want to vote for Goldy. Goldy is losing right now, we go up against Smokey in Week 11. We need to make sure that Smokey has less overall votes and another loss to add to that total.

Mr. C vs Big Red
You choose, personally I always click on Big Red because I love how crazy he gets.

Big Blue vs. Bearcat
Vote Bearcat. We don't go up against ODU/Big Blue in the regular season but we need someone to hand him his first loss. Our strategy should always be to vote for the Mascot going against Big Blue. So let's send in some votes for Bearcat!

Joe Vandal vs. Sebastian
Sebastian! We go up against Joe Vandal and we want to get them after a loss. Sebastian also is having a tough time getting some votes.

Joe Bruin vs Mike
Joe Bruin. We have already won a matchup against Joe Bruin and have a matchup against Mike coming in Week 10

Testudo vs The Bird
Testudo! Let's help this little dude get his first win!

And there is your strategy for Week 7 when voting online. Vote Now. Vote Often!!!

And don't forget!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 6 Results and Week 7 Matchup

Ah, Midterms....What a glorious time for any college student. Not really! Sorry for the delay in this overdue post. I have been SWAMPED!

So, we defeated Vanderbilt's Mr.C and have moved up to 6-0! This is so impressive. Let's jump to the stats so I can get to the juicy stuff.

Our Record as of Week 6:
Wins: 6
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 275,404
Place: 2nd


As you all have noticed, we are up against Brutus the Buckeye from Ohio State. This is awesome for 2 reasons. We are up against the Mascot who is cheering on the #1 Football Team in the country. Secondly, because we have a legit shot at bringing him down and cracking his nut of a head wide open! I'm over all these sympathy votes he's been getting because he was attacked by Ohio University's mascot. It is time for us to step up and show the big boys exactly why we deserve to win this Mascot Challenge!

We have an away game, so we need to make sure we get as many votes during the week. Ohio State also has an away game, so they'll be lacking that extra push. So Let's Roast some Buckeyes!

And most importantly!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Wow. That's all I can say. WOW. I mean, I knew that we could do it, but standing on the other side of a W is an awesome feeling. UTEP Football goes 4-1 and Paydirt Pete goes 5-0!

Amidst all the Ducktroversy, we stepped up to the challenge and showed exactly WHY we deserve to be undefeated. I have to give it up for Pete, he was tweeting so much I think he actually had to take off his gloves. I know my family was afraid I was going to have a nervous breakdown. I didn't and I'm ready for this week. We handed the Ducks their first lost in the Mascot Challenge. You can't be undefeated in everything Ducks! Now I know why he looks so angry in the picture! He knew Pete had him cornered!

So how exactly did we end the week? Here are the updated results
We defeated the Duck 143,549 to 137,296!

Our Record as of Week 5:

Wins: 5
Losses: 0 (still a goose egg!)
Overall votes: 234,257
Place 2nd


Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!

Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online (unlimited) at capitalonebowl.com

Midweek Update

Well Miner fans, David is trying to slay Goliath. We're in the midst of the battle and things are heating up. One thing I can say is that the Miner Nation hasn't let me down before and I know they won't let me down now. We need to step it up. We need to continue to tell our friends, family, neighbors, compadres, etc. all about our quest to be the best.

At this moment, Pete has 65,499 and the Duck has 65,299. We have been going back and forth ALL night. I love it. I love the competition and I love our diehard attitude. This reminds me of when everyone was naysaying and saying we didn't stand a chance against #12 Houston in 2009. They came into our house, and what did we do? Yep, that's right. We showed them exactly what the Miners are all about.

This drive and passion is the same passion that is fueling our fierce competition between the Duck right now. It doesn't matter what anyone else says about our votes and our fans, what matters is that we know that we're doing our job. The Miner Nation is vast and when a call to arms is put out, we respond! We came here to win. To show that the underdog should NEVER be underestimated!

So, let's hear it Miner fans! Go Miners Go! Fight Miners Fight! Win Miners Win!


Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 5 Matchup!

Okay Miners, this is where the competition is going to step up another step. Our opponent for this week is that wacky Duck from Oregon. He will go to any length to try and beat our Paydirt Pete. What we need from you is VOTES! If we can keep the pace, we can surely win.

Don't let that sweet face fool you, the Duck, besides Big Blue, is the only other opponent to go 4-0 just like us. You know what that means? We're here to hand him his first loss. We've done it the first 4 weeks, now we have to continue to do it the next 8 weeks! I have faith in my Miner fans!

So how can you help me help Pete? By telling everyone you know about the competition. I don't care if you have to ask to borrow someone's cell phone and vote, just VOTE. Ask your friends, your parents, your enemies, your teachers, your students, anyone who can text or vote online to do so. Let's help get El Paso on the map, right where we should be!!

This week we have an away game so we need that extra push!

Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 4 Results!

Alright Miners! Another week down, and it looks like we've secured another W for Paydirt Pete. This is where the competition is going to get tough, but I know we can do it. I will do this week's wrap up and then the profile for our competition for Week 5.

Our Record as of Week 4:
Wins: 4
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 90,708
Place: 3rd


There is an away game this weekend, which means we need a greater amount of votes to come from viral messaging. What this means is we need YOU to tell your friends, enemies, compadres, etc. etc. and let them know what El Paso is trying to accomplish!


And most importantly!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Capital One Female Blogger Competition a.k.a. Reppin' Pete!

So here is the jest: The lovely Danielle Smith ran on a contest in connection with Capital One Bowl to bring the Female Blogger Competition. I stumbled upon the competition doing some reconnaissance for Pete. I was sizin' up the competition and trying to figure out what I could do differently to help my favorite mascot.

It is through this that I entered the competition to rep Pete, and to try and gain more votes. Luckily for me, I was picked.

I think something that needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to the Capital One Bowl Challenge, is that this will help garner some much needed national exposure for not only Paydirt Pete but subsequently UTEP. As a current student of UTEP, I could go on and on with the ways this will benefit UTEP, but I won't. I will stop here and simply say....

HELP ME HELP PETE!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 3 Results!

Miners! Good job! We did it. We beat The Bird from USAFA. Last I checked on Sunday night we were up by 6,000 votes. The age old question of which is better, repel or parachute, has been answered. The winner is clearly repelling as witnessed by Paydirt Pete's victory.

Our win brings us to 3-0 in the competition! We have jumped up a spot and are now 4th place! This is great! Good job Miners! Now, we just need to boost up those vote numbers! I have faith that we can do it though.

Our Record as of Week 3:
Wins: 3
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 76,532
Place: 4th

ODU is a beast. They have over 300,000 overall votes. I know some of you are worried, but I just want to remind you that UTEP has overcome worse odds. For example, last year's football game versus Houston. Rushing the field? Ring a bell?

We're still in it Miners! Let's keep those votes coming!

Don't forget to get your tickets to this week's home game versus Memphis.

And most importantly!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

An update to the Capital One Mascot Challenge..

The night before last, I was trying to fall asleep and to help relax me, I began to vote for Paydirt Pete through text messages. I can get a good amount in, in a short amount of time. Before I even knew it, I had received a message out of the norm that said:

I'm sorry, you have exceeded the amount of votes allowed in a 24 hour period. Try again tomorrow

My interest was piqued because as many times as I have voted, I have never received that message and I've voted a lot. That had me wondering what exactly the limit was? Why was the limit imposed? This morning, I was going through my twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/utepminermaniac and I read @CapitalOneBowl's tweet that helped clarify:

Hey mascot fans! To keep a level playing field text voting is now limited to 250 votes/hr. May the best beast win! http://bit.ly/csHuyW

I really think that is a great addition to help level the playing field. It will make the mascots and their respective schools get the word out and become more creative to get the votes.

Now, the only other thing is that the tweet suggests the limit is for an hour period, whereas the text message I received suggests it is within a 24 hour period.  Not to worry, I am already testing out both to try and get to the truth. I will come with my update of which of these is true.

As always Miners,
Remember to vote!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Another Matchup!

Battle of I-10 is here! Aggies vs. Miners. Pistol vs. Paydirt. Who will come out the victor? Well, we all know the answer to that. Miners of course!

Just as this tradition continues, so does the tradition of the Battle of I-10 Blood Drive. The United Blood Services are at each campus in their bloodmobile waiting for donors.


Even though we BLEED ORANGE, the UBS is more than happy to take our blood.

As of right now, UTEP is trailing NMSU in the challenge! Let's step up our game and get out there and donate!

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
UGLC & UNION Parking Lots from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

AND

Union East from
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

While you're doing that good deed, why not vote for Paydirt Pete to kill sometime?
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 3 Mascot Challenge!

Miners! It is that time again! It is time to size up our opponent for this weeks Mascot Matchup.


Looks like we are taking on Air Force's The Bird. Sure he does some cool tricks like parachuting down to the field, but can he rappel with the best of them? The best being Paydirt Pete during basketball season of course!


Last week The Bird went up against ODU's Big Blue and was taken out early in the game. Let's make that sure there is a repeat this week!!!

Also, Miner fans, don't forget this Saturday we play NMSU @ Sun Bowl Stadium. The Battle of I-10 is here! What better way to show our Miner Mania than by voting for Paydirt Pete! Make sure to get your tickets early, this is sure to be a sellout!

Remember to vote!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 1 and Week 2 Results!

Miners!!! Way to go! Not only did we beat last year's champion, the Bearcat from Cincinnati, but we also took down Goldy the Gopher from Minnesota!


It seems as though everyone was doubting our ability to take on last year's champ and bring him down. They must not have been there when we beat No. 12 Houston last year at the Sun Bowl. The Bearcat was a formidable opponent, but he was no match for our Miners!

Our record as of week 1:
Wins: 1
Losses: 0
Place: 2nd



Don't let that sweet face fool you! Goldy the Gopher was a tough one, but at the end our Miners pulled Paydirt Pete through to another victory. We showed our Miner Pride even though our Miners were out of town and we didn't get the friendly reminder on the jumbotron! Don't forget Miners! Next week we take on our rivals NMSU @ the Sun Bowl!!!

Our record as of week 2:
Wins: 2
Losses: 0
Overall votes: 55,189
Place: 5th

Remember Miners! It isn't just wins that matter! It is our overall votes! Keep voting!

Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge!

Okay Miners, here is the deal. Paydirt Pete was selected as on of the 16 mascots in this years Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge. So, what you say? Well, on our quest to become a Tier 1 school, this is huge! This is an opportunity to show people that even though we are hundreds of miles away from UT Austin, Texas A&M, etc. that we still have that Texas spirit.

Here is what you need to know about the Mascot Challenge:

• Each week, Paydirt Pete will be taking on a new opponent. This is for the entire 12 weeks of the NCAA College Football season
• In order to win, we need to text our vote 'PaydirtPete" to 69866 as much as humanly possible EACH WEEK.
• If you don't feel comfortable texting you can vote online at capitalonebowl.com
• Votes are UNLIMITED so vote as often as you can!
• It isn't based on just wins/losses. It is based on total number of votes. We need to be in the Top 8 by week 12 in order to advance to the finals.
• If we win, the Mascot program and UTEP will receive $15,000!

So, now you know what the Mascot Challenge is about, VOTE! Do it while you're waiting for your children outside of school, waiting for your order of green chicken enchiladas at L&J, waiting for the shuttle to campus, or when you're waiting for class to start.

TEXT "Paydirt Pete" to 69866

or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

See you soon Miners!

-Jackie