Published: November 28, 2009 11:44 pm      

Vittatoe leads UTEP’s 52-21 victory over Herd

EL PASO, Texas — Mark Snyder’s employment status is more precarious than ever.

UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe passed for 517 yards and five touchdowns as the Miners routed Marshall 52-21 on Saturday.

The loss ended the Thundering Herd’s regular season at 6-6. Bowl eligibility was attained after last week’s 34-31 win over SMU, and a win over UTEP would have all but guaranteed a postseason berth for the first time under Snyder.

Instead, the Herd suffered its second-worst defeat of the season, surpassed only by a 52-10 loss at Virginia Tech Sept. 12.

An announcement concerning Snyder’s future could come as early as today. A university spokesman would confirm nothing, saying only that Snyder would be evaluated and announcement would come soon.

Jeff Moturi led UTEP receivers with 179 yards, including an 80-yard scoring pass from Vittatoe, who also connected for TDs with Tufick Shadrawy, Kris Adams, Jonny Moore and Donavon Kemp.

James Thomas and Donald Buckram also scored for UTEP on runs of 4 and 12 yards.

Buckram was the nation’s second-leading rusher going into the game, averaging 142.6 yards per game. He was held to a season-low 24 yards.

Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns for the Thundering Herd. Anderson found Aaron Dobson, Chuck Walker and Antavious Wilson for scores.

Wilson finished with 153 yards on nine receptions. Tight end Lee Smith had six catches for a career-high 99 yards.

Running back Darius Marshall missed his second straight game with a left ankle injury. Freshman Martin Ward led the Herd with 57 yards on 13 carries and sophomore Terrell Edwards-Maye had 49 yards on 11 carries