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UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners
Rey Flores
UTEP Athletics
6
FIU FIU 4-7 , 2-5
40
Winner UTEP TEP 5-6 , 3-4
FIU FIU
4-7 , 2-5
6
Final
40
UTEP TEP
5-6 , 3-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
FIU FIU 0 0 0 6 6
TEP UTEP 14 24 0 2 40

Game Recap: Football |

Miners Keep Bowl Hopes Alive after 40-6 Drubbing of FIU on “Senior Day”


Game Book | Post Game Notes

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP kept its bowl eligibility hopes alive as it dominated FIU on both sides of the ball during a 40-6 victory on "Senior Day" Saturday in the Sun Bowl. 
 
The Miners (5-6, 3-4 Conference USA) racked up season highs in total offense (525 yards) and first downs (29), while the Panthers (4-7, 2-5 C-USA) only gained 71 yards of total offense and five first downs. FIU was also 2-of-12 on third downs. UTEP's 29 first downs were the most since the 2013 season at NM State on Sept. 14, 2013. The Miners also dominated the time of possession 42:00 to 18:00. 
 
For UTEP, it was also the fifth-fewest yards allowed in league history. 
 
UTEP led 38-0 at the half, its most point scored in the first half since leading Texas Southern 38-0 going into the locker room in 2007. The Miners' 38-first half points is a modern-day school record in a conference game.
 
"The way we came out and played early was really important for us," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel said. "When we can do what we did today, which is run the ball and not turn the ball over we're a good football team. We played really good football throughout the first half and was really pleased with how we fed into each other. I thought special teams played solidly, the offense did what it needed to do to finish drives with touchdowns, and defense did some great things especially on third downs. We played good control football. It was fun for us to watch."
 
Reynaldo Flores, who originally came to UTEP as a running back, got back to his roots and rushed for a career-high 128 yards on 13 carries (9.8 avg.) and a career-best two touchdowns. 'Rey' took one 10 yards to pay dirt and another on a career-long 43-yard dash to the end zone. Overall, Flores tallied a career-best 149 all-purpose yards as he added 21 yards on two receptions. 
 
UTEP tallied 335 yards on the ground, the most in the Dimel era, and most since the 2016 finale versus North Texas (384). Ronald Awatt added 84 yards on 17 carries (4.9 avg.), while Deion Hankins grinded out 81 yards on 14 attempts (5.8 avg.). UTEP's 61 rushes were the second most under Dimel and most since 64 attempts against NM State in 2018.
 
Calvin Brownholtz threw for a 190 yards on a career-high 12 completions. He connected on 66.7 percent (12-18) of his passes and tied his career best with two touchdown passes.
 
"Calvin played a tremendous game running the offense," Dimel said. "I was pleased with what he was able to do to move the offense. In the two games he's started, we've scored 40 or more points." 
 
Kelly Akharaiyi finally produced a breakout game, gaining a career-high 99 yards on three receptions. The sophomore transfer also added his first career score – a career-long 68-yard touchdown. 
 
Defensively, the Miners held it down allowing a season-low 71 yards. It was the least yards allowed since 2014 when UTSA only gained 70 yards. Cal Wallerstedt led the way with seven tackles, while Kelton Moss recorded his first sack of the season. Jadrian Taylor and Keenan Stewart each tallied half a sack. 
 
UTEP started the scoring parade out of the gates as Brownholtz orchestrated an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive that resulted in him rushing one-yard for a score.  
 
The Miners jumped out to a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter on a Flores 10-yard touchdown rush at the 1:05 mark of the first.
 
Flores put the Miners up 21-0 at the midway point of the second quarter after he dashed for a career-long 43-yard touchdown rush. He's now scored five total TDs – four rushing, one receiving. 
 
Brownholtz's first touchdown pass of the season – a 17-yard pass to Tyrin Smith – put the Miners ahead 28-0, while Brownholtz's second TD toss of the first half was a career-long 68-yard pass to Akharaiyi. Akharaiyi outjumped DB Adrian Cole and came down with the ball on a launched pass from Brownholtz and avoided a few tackles to get into the end zone.
 
For Smith, it was his sixth score of the season. He gained 58 yards on five receptions and needs 60 yards to hit 1,000 yards on the season.
 
Gavin Baechle capped the successful first half with a 26-yard field goal with two seconds left in the half. Baechle nailed his 21st FG in a row, and is 21-of-22 on the season. He's lead C-USA in made field goals. 
 
FIU got on the board on an 84-yard fumble return by LB Alex Nobles early in the fourth quarter. 
 
UTEP capped its scoring with a safety with 5:14 left in the contest.
 
A few other seniors had memorable days as Gary Theard intercepted his first career pass in the second quarter. Jalen Joseph rushed for five yards, while seniors Josh Farr and Mike Malewitz saw action at wide receiver. Kyle McNamara, a transfer WR from WKU, saw playing time, while tight ends Rashad Beecham and Juan Camacho saw the field. 
 
"SENIOR DAY" HONORS
Twenty-three Miners were 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. 
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will close out the regular season at UTSA on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Miners and Roadrunners are set for a 1:30 p.m. MT/2:30 CT kick. The Miners are looking for their first back-to-back bowl bids since 2004 (EV1.Net Houston Bowl) and 2005 (GMAC Bowl). The contest will be streamed on Stadium. 
 
 
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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