Saturday night's University of Texas at El Paso vs. Rice University football game marked the end of an era for head coach Mike Price's 31-year career. 

To honor Price, UTEP pronounced the last game Mike Price Appreciation Day. The first 20,000 fans received commemorative tickets. 

Football fans cheered as Price, known for always carrying down the Miner Pick, looked excited as he headed down toward the field for the last time. 

"For him, I think it was a tough decision, but I think he was ready," said Miner fan Jessica Arellano.

As KFOX-14 News reported, on Nov. 19 Price announced he had decided to retire from college football. Price's contract with UTEP ends this year. The 1997 National Coach of the year said he is staying in the Sun City after his retirement. 

"I didn't win enough, period. That's it. We didn't win enough games. In this profession you have got to win games. We didn't do it," said Price in a press conference on Monday afternoon. 

"I think it's the lack of victories and his recruiting hasn't been that good lately," said Fernando Lovo, a Miner fan, of Price's performance this past season.

However, Lovo said there is no denying "how much Price did for the Miners."

"I'd like to see somebody come in like Mike Price did, when he came in (hired by UTEP)," said Lovo.

During the nine years that Price led the Miners, he is credited for taking UTEP to three bowl games:  the Houston Bowl in 2004, the GMAC Bowl in 2005 and the New Mexico Bowl in 2010.

Regardless of UTEP's past football season, on Saturday night, fans were hoping for one last victory. 

"We want a good ending," said Arellano.

The Miners lost to Rice, 33 to 24, sending the Owls to a bowl game.