UTEP Athletics

UTEP Hosts FIU on “Senior Day” Saturday at 2 p.m.

11/17/2022 9:48:00 AM

UTEP Notes | FIU Notes

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP will conclude the home portion of its schedule when it hosts FIU on "Senior Day". The Miners and Golden Panthers are set to kick off at 2 p.m. in the Sun Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Twenty-three Miners will be honored prior to kick off. Seniors RB Ron Awatt, K Gavin Baechle, DB Darius Baptist, DB Dennis Barnes, QB Calvin Brownholtz, WR Walter Dawn Jr., WR Josh Farr, WR/RB Reynaldo Flores, DB Joe Hagopian, DB Ty'Reke James, RB Jalen Joseph, WR Mike Malewitz, OL Robert Mervin, DL Kelton Moss, DE Jadrian Taylor, LB Gary Theard, DT Blake Thompson, TE Trent Thompson, DB Deshaun Trotter, FB James Tupou, LB Cal Wallerstedt, DE Deylon Williams and DB Tyson Wilson will play their last game in the Sun Bowl.

"It's a good list of guys who are graduating here," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel said. "And, you know, with the COVID year, you have some you know, some guys that could leave that, you know, they have another year left. Some of the guys that might just want to get on with their professional careers and go on and do some things. And so, it's a pretty good list of guys are leaving. Guys that have got us to a bowl game that have changed the whole landscape of our program from when they've got here, changed the whole national respect that our program has right now, which, you know, it's been a really positive move for us."

Tickets for the battle are available by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing at tickets@utep.com, visitingwww.UTEPMiners.com/tickets, or dropping by the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office (M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 201 Glory Road in Brumbelow Building). A family 4-pack will get you four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks and a large popcorn for $48.

The Miners and Golden Panthers have each lost their last two contests, but are still battling for bowl eligibility.

The Miners (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) are coming off their second consecutive loss, falling at Rice 37-30 on a late score by the Owls on Nov. 3. Baechle continued his historic season, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and adding a 3-for-3 effort on PATs against the Owls on national television. Baechle, who was recently recognized as a top 20 semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, has connected on a school-record 20 consecutive field goals. Calvin Brownholtz was inserted late into the ball game when starting QB Gavin Hardison left with an injury. Brownholtz engineered an 11-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard rushing score from the back up QB to tie the game at 27 early in the fourth quarter. After Rice took a 30-27 lead following a Christian VanSickle 38-yard field goal, the Brownholtz went under center and drove the Miners 60 yards on nine plays that ended with a Baechle 32-yard kick to tie the contest at 30 all with 2:35 to play. But TJ McMahon threw his second TD of the game, a 23-yard strike to Bradley Rozner with 25 seconds left. Brownholtz finished 7-of-10 for 56 yards and led the team with 64 yards on eight carries and a score. Tyrice Knight (12) and Cal Wallerstedt (10) each recorded double-digit tackles, while Wallerstedt tallied a sack to bring his total to 6.5 on the season.

The Golden Panthers (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) are coming off a 52-7 loss against instate rival Florida Atlantic in "Shula Bowl XXI" on Nov. 12. The Owls jumped out to a 21-0 lead after one quarter of play and took a 31-7 lead into the locker room at the half. FIU's lone score was on a 28-yard run to the end zone by QB Grayson James. James rushed for 47 yards on nine carries. James threw two interceptions on 9-of-26 passing (56 yards). Lexington Joseph led FIU with 87 yards rushing. LB Reggie Peterson led the defense with 11 tackles.

"[FIU] has shown flashes of being a good football team" Dimel said. "They've had some outstanding performances where they beat Charlotte handily. They beat LA Tech. They flew out here and beat New Mexico State. So, they've had some games where they've played really good football and had some big victories for the program. And so, they're definitely a good team. That is a big challenge for us because of those, because they have played at a high level and because of the athleticism that they have on both sides of the football and in the special teams."

UTEP (4-6, 2-4) vs. FIU (4-6, 2-4)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 19
Time: 2:00 p.m. MT
Location: El Paso, Texas
Venue: Sun Bowl Stadium (45,971)
Twitter Updates: @UTEPFB

TV: ESPN+
PxP: Erik Elken
Analyst: Jacob Boggs

Radio: ESPN 600 El Paso
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Cole Freytag
Sideline: Mando Medina

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The contest will be streamed on ESPN+ with Erik Elkencalling the action with former UTEP LB Jacob Boggs (1999-2000) providing analysis. The action returns to 600 ESPN El Paso with "The Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher calling play-by-play in his 42^nd season. 'Teich' is joined by former UTEP WR Cole Freytag (2012, 2014-16) in the booth providing analysis in his first season and Mando Medinareporting from the sidelines. The action can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. FIU
FIU leads the all-time series 3-1. The series is tied 1-1 in games played in El Paso. The Golden Panthers have won the last three meetings, including a 32-17 victory in Miami in the last meeting on Oct. 19, 2019. FIU won the last game played in El Paso, 35-21, in 2016. The Miners won the first meeting, 33-10, in 'The 915' in 2013.

SCOUTING FIU
FIU has lost two games in a row after its 52-7 loss against instate rival Florida Atlantic in the 21^st edition of the 'Shula Bowl' on Nov. 12. The Golden Panthers are averaging 19.0 points per game, while giving up 374 points (37.4 ppg). FIU is averaging 331.7 yards per game and is yielding 445.3 points per contest. Lexington Joseph leads the way with 508 yards rushing and has scored five rushing TDs. He's added 155 yards on 26 receptions and two scores. Joseph has returned 21 kickoffs for 490 yards (21.3 avg.), ranking fourth in C-USA kickoff return average. Grayson James has thrown for 1,913 yards on 204-of-342 passing. James has tossed 11 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tyrese Chambers has hauled in 49 receptions for 535 yards and four scores – leads the team in all three categories. LB Gaethan Bernadel leads the team with 82 tackles and ranks sixth in Conference USA. LB Shaun Peterson Jr. leads with 5.0 sacks, while DB Dorian Hall has picked off two passes.

CALVIN UNDER CENTER
Redshirt junior QB Calvin Brownholtz returned under center at Rice on Nov. 3, replacing QB Gavin Hardison who was injured in the contest. Brownholtz scored a 25-yard rush against the Owls, his first TD since rushing for two against Rice on Nov. 20, 2021. Brownholtz threw the ball well, going 7-of-10 for 56 yards.

BROWNHOLTZ'S CAREER
Calvin Brownholtz has rushed for 265 yards and seven touchdowns in 38 career games. Brownholtz has thrown three TDs and has tallied 448 yards on 34-of-65 passing in his career.

TD TUPOU
Senior FB James Tupou scored his first career touchdown at Rice on Nov. 3. Tupou hauled in a seven-yard reception from Gavin Hardison in the second quarter against the Owls. For his career, Tupou has tallied 14 receptions for 179 yards and a TD.

LOU GROZA RECOGNITION
Senior K/P Gavin Baechle was one of 20 semifinals for the 2022 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Nov. 9. Jay Mattox (2015) was the last UTEP kicker to earn Lou Groza recognition. The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.

EXTENDING HIS SCHOOL RECORD
Gavin Baechle tied his career best by hitting three field goals at Rice on Nov. 3. Baechle now has 56 career field goals after setting the school record on Oct. 2 against FAU with career FG no. 51 and surpassing Reagan Schneider's (2003-2006) total of 50.

BAECHLE LEADING THE WAY
Gavin Baechle is first in Conference USA with 20 made field goals and ranks tied second nationally. Baechle is 20-for-21 on the season. Baechle leads C-USA in field goals made per game (2.0). His 95.2 percent ranks third in C-USA.

BAECHLE'S NATIONAL RANKINGS
Gavin Baechle ranks tied second in FBS with 20 made field goals. He's 20-for-21 as his 95.2 percent ranks ninth. Baechle ranks tied second with 2.0 field goals made per game. He ranks tied sixth with 21 attempts.

TYRIN'S RANKINGS
Tyrin Smith leads Conference USA with 88.2 yards receiving per game. Smith ranks third in C-USA with 882 yards and ranks fifth with 62 receptions. Nationally, Smith ranks 16^th in receiving yards and yards per game (88.2).

SMITH'S CONSISTENCY
Tyrin Smith has caught a pass in 22 consecutive games dating back to Sept. 4, 2021 against Bethune-Cookman (4 rec., 76 yards). Smith has also registered at least two receptions in his last 16 games after posting six catches for 79 yards against Rice on Nov. 3.

TYRIN BREAKING THE CENTURY MARK
Tyrin Smith recorded his fifth career 100-yard game against MT. Smith, a 5-7 speedster, tallied 117 yards on a career-best 10 receptions against the Blue Raiders. Smith ranks tied 16^thon the program's all-time 100-yard receiving list.
100-Yard Breakdown:
122 at Florida Atlantic – Oct. 30, 2021
127 vs. North Texas – Aug. 27, 2022
183 (career high) at New Mexico – Sept. 17, 2022
106 at Charlotte – Oct. 1, 2022
117 vs. MT – Oct. 29, 2022

FUMBLEROOSKI
UTEP's defense ranks tied eighth nationally and ranks tied second in Conference USA with 11 fumble recoveries. The Miners rank second in C-USA with 14 forced fumbles and fumbles forced per game (1.4).

RETURN OF THE SACK
Redshirt junior DE Praise Amaewhule recorded his second sack of the season at Rice. He now has 17.5 in career and needs 3.0 sacks to break the school's all-time mark.

CO-LEADER OF THE SACK
Senior DE Jadrian Taylor is tied first in Conference USA with 8.0 sacks. Taylor registered sacks against no. 9 Oklahoma (1.0), Charlotte (3.0), LA Tech (1.0), FAU (2.0) and MT (1.0). Taylor has 14.5 career sacks after posting 6.5 last season. Taylor ranks tied 12^th in FBS.

TACKLE MACHINE
Redshirt junior LB Cal Wallerstedt, after tallying a career-high 14 tackles against MT on Oct. 29, racked up 10 more stops at Rice on Nov. 3. Wallerstedt has recorded double-digit stops in three consecutive games, starting with 11 against FAU on Oct. 22. Wallerstedt has racked up 35 tackles (11.7 tackles per game) the last three games. Wallerstedt ranks tied second on the team and ranks tied seventh with teammate Kobe Hylton in C-USA with 79 tackles.

GOOD KNIGHT
Redshirt junior LB Tyrice Knight tallied 12 more tackles at Rice on Nov. 3. Knight leads the team and ranks fourth in Conference USA with 85 stops. He ranks third with 8.5 tackles per game. He now has tallied double-digit tackles in 11 career games and fourth this season.

TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP ranks tied second (UTSA) in Conference USA with 63.0 tackles for loss. The Miners rank tied second in TFL/game (6.3). UTEP has three players who rank in the top 10 in C-USA in tackles for loss. Cal Wallerstedt (11.0) ranks tied third, Jadrian Taylor (10.0) ranks fifth and Kobe Hylton (8.0) ranks tied ninth. Tyrice Knight ranks 16^th (6.5) and Praise Amaewhule (5.5) ranks tied 19^th.

BALL CONTROL
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and 15^th nationally in time of possession (32:44). Air Force leads FBS (35:51).

UP NEXT
UTEP will close out the regular season at UTSA on Nov. 26. The Miners and Roadrunners are set for a 1:30 p.m. MT/2:30 CT kick.

For complete coverage of UTEP Football, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPFB (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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