To the many challenges UTEP faces on the offensive line as it opens Conference USA play at UTSA on Saturday, add this: It’s hard to figure what plan they are on.

Plan A involved Greg Long and Derron Gatewood, and that was gone by mid-August.

They’ve reconfigured and patchworked in various ways for four games. Now, they’ll do it again as they cast about to replace Jerrod Brooks, who is having surgery on his knee this week.

On Monday, the Miners worked with Markos Lujan at center, Ruben Guerra at right guard and Josiah Gray at right tackle after moving over from the left side. That's how they ended last week's loss to New Mexico State after Brooks went down.

On Tuesday, Gray was out with an excused personal absence so Guerra,not going to lie, it's challenging," said Guerra, who may get his second start at tackle this week. He has started at center once and guard twice. "Staying together as a group is the biggest thing, coming together.

"I can't say (playing three positions) it's the worst thing in the world. I had to practice all three positions in the summer. They told me to prepare for something like this because they want me to play anywhere I can. It's not that bad, honestly."

'It's been interesting'

Right now the priority is getting the five best players on the field, with the positions working out accordingly. That's how Gray ended up moving from a backup spot on the left side to contending to start on the right.

"It's been interesting," Gray said.