UTEP Athletics

UTEP Aims for Bowl Eligibility, Concludes Regular Season at #25 UTSA Saturday

11/25/2022 9:47:00 AM

UTEP Notes | UTSA Notes

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP is looking for its first back-to-back bowl games in 17 years. The Miners will have a big challenge ahead them however when they play at no. 25 UTSA on Saturday afternoon in the 2022 regular season finale. The Miners and Roadrunners will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MT/2:30 CT in the Alamodome and will be streamed on Stadium.

Saturday's instate battle will features UTEP's stout defense and UTSA's high-octane offense. The Miners rank first in Conference USA and 36^th nationally in total defense (342.9). UTEP ranks second is pass defense (201.5 ypg) and second in third-down defense (35.1 percent). The Roadrunners average a league-best 38.3 points (12^th nationally). UTSA ranks second in the league and 14^th in FBS in total offense (480.1).

The Miners (5-6, 3-4 C-USA) kept their bowl hopes alive after dominating FIU on both sides of the ball, 40-6, on Nov. 19 on "Senior Day." UTEP allowed only 71 yards, ranking fourth fewest allowed in program history, and fifth fewest allowed in league history. FIU ran only 43 plays, which ranks tied third fewest in school history. Calvin Brownholtz led the charge, tying his career best with two TD tosses and rushing for another, while Reynaldo Flores gained career highs in rushing (128) and all-purpose yards (149). The Miners led the Panthers 38-0 at the half, which was the most points scoring in the first half since 2007 (38 points vs. Texas Southern). UTEP allowed only 15 yards rushing, ranking 10^th in school history for fewest rushing yards allowed. Tyrin Smith added his sixth TD of the season on a 17-yard scoring reception. Smith has 940 yards receiving on the season, ranking third in C-USA.

The Roadrunners (9-2, 7-0 C-USA) extended their winning streak to eight, and remained undefeated in league play after a 41-7 victory at Rice on Nov. 19. UTSA's last loss came at no. 20 Texas, 41-20 on Sept. 17. Frank Harris was dominating as the senior QB rushed for a game-high 124 yards and three scores, while passing for two more. Zakhari Franklin, C-USA's leader in scoring receptions with 10, was on one end of Harris's TD toss, while Oscar Cardenas hauled in the other. UTSA allowed 230 yards of total offense. UTSA is looking to be the first C-USA team to finish with an undefeated 8-0 record in league play since 2017 (Florida Atlantic).

"We're going to face the best passing offense in the league because of the quarterback and the receivers," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel sadi. "Those guys are so good at what they do. So, it's going to be really important that we play well. We're young at corner, but we're getting better all the time. Saturday, we started a true freshman and a true sophomore, and they both played well. But they're going to get tested this week for sure. I'm excited to see what they can do and how they can hold up. Some of that's going to come to our front putting some pressure on the quarterback and doing a good job getting to the quarterback and trying to disrupt him a little bit so we don't hang our corners out to dry."

UTEP (5-6, 3-4) at UTSA (9-2, 7-0)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 26
Time: 1:00 p.m. MT/2:30 CT
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Venue: Alamodome (64,000)
Twitter Updates: @UTEPFB

TV: Stadium
PxP: First Last
Analyst: First Last

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

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
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 Medina reporting from the sidelines. The action can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app. The contest will be streamed on Stadium with Ari Wolf and Bob Davie calling the action.

SERIES VS. UTSA
UTSA leads the all-time series 7-2. The series is tied 2-2 in games played in the Alamodome. The then-no. 16/18 Roadrunners won last year's meeting in the Sun Bowl, 44-23, on Nov. 6. UTSA jumped out to a 30-9 halftime lead that started with the second play from scrimmage when Sincere McCormick ran 75 yards for a touchdown. Frank Harris threw for 286 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Ronald Awatt rushed for 83 yards, while Gavin Hardison tied his career best with three TD tosses. Tyrin Smith tallied 91 yards on three receptions and two touchdowns. The Miners last played in San Antonio on Nov. 14, 2020, when UTSA ran away with a 52-21 victory. UTSA has won the last five meetings. The Miners last defeated the Roadrunners on Oct. 22, 2016 in a wild 52-49 final in five overtimes. UTEP also won at UTSA on Oct. 25, 2014 in a 34-0 victory. The Miners only allowed 70 yards of total offense and two first downs.

SCOUTING UTSA
UTSA boasts one of the top offenses not only in Conference USA, but also nationally. The Roadrunners rank 12^th in FBS and no. 1 in C-USA in scoring offense (38.3). UTSA averages 480.9 yards per game, ranking second in C-USA and 14^th nationally. Senior QB Frank Harris leads a passing offense (298.7 ypg) that ranks 14^th nationally and second in the league. Harris ranks third in C-USA with 24 TD passes and is completing a league-high 69.5 percent (257-370). Senior wideouts Joshua Cephus (836 rec. yards) and Zakhari Franklin (830) rank seventh and eighth, respectively in C-USA's receiving yards list. Franklin leads the league with 10 TD receptions. Senior RB Brenden Brady ranks tied sixth in C-USA with 690 yards rushing and has scored nine touchdowns. Harris ranks second on the team with 525 yards rushing and eight scores. UTSA's defense ranks fifth in total defense (399.9) and is tied third in scoring defense (26.1). Junior ILB Jamal Ligon leads the defense with 68 tackles. The defense has picked off nine passes and has tallied 19 sacks. Freshman OLB Trey Moore leads the team with 6.0 sacks, while ranking seventh in C-USA.

DEFENSIVE EFFORT FOR THE AGES
The UTEP defense pounced on FIU, allowing only 71 yards of total offense, five first downs, 43 total plays and 15 yards rushing. UTEP's 71 yards allowed is ranks fourth fewest in program history and fifth fewest in C-USA history. The 1966 Miners allowed -10 yards versus San Jose State, allowed five at New Mexico in 1955 and 70 at UTSA in 2014.

FEWEST PLAYS ALLOWED SINCE 2006
UTEP allowed only 43 plays (22 run, 21 pass), ranking tied third in program history. The Miners allowed only 43 plays (23 run, 20 pass versus SMU in 2006. The school record is 34 (31 run, 3 pass) versus NM State in 1954.

TENTH FEWEST RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED
The Miners allowed only 15 yards rushing, the least since allowing seven yards at ULM in 2020. UTEP's performance on Nov. 19 ranks 10^th fewest rushing yards allowed. The school record in -106 yards against San Jose State in 1966.

FIRST DOWN DEFENSE
The UTEP defense only allowed five first downs against FIU, all in the first half. It was the fewest the Miners allowed since two at UTSA in 2014. The five first downs are the second fewest in modern day history.

SINGLE-DIGIT FIRST DOWNS ALLOWED
The UTEP defense has yielded opposing offenses single-digit first downs nine times in the last 39 seasons. The Miners are 8-1 in those games.
1983 – 9 (vs. Idaho State)
1996 – 7 (Northern Illinois)
1997 – 8 (vs. #25 BYU)
2004 – 8 (vs. Weber State)
2004 – 9 (vs. NM State)
2006 – 7 (vs. SMU)
2014 – 2 (at UTSA)
2020 – 6 (at ULM)
2022 – 5 (vs. FIU)

FIRST HALF FIREWORKS
UTEP scored 38 points, taking a 38-0 lead into the locker room at the half against FIU. It was the most points scored in the first half since tallying 38 points against Texas Southern in 2007 (38-0). UTEP's 38 points is also a modern-day school record for most points scored in the first half against a conference opponent.

24 POINTS IN A SINGLE QUARTER
UTEP scored 24 points in the second quarter against FIU. It's the most scored in single quarter since the Miners tallied 28 points in the fourth quarter in NM State in 2015.

MOST RUSHING YARDS IN DIMEL ERA
UTEP rushed for a season-high 335 yards on 61 attempts against FIU on Nov. 19. It's the most yards rushing during the Dana Dimel era and most since gaining 384 yards in the 2016 season finale.

300-YARDS RUSHING IN DIMEL ERA
UTEP has 300+ yards rushing twice during the Dana Dimel era. The Miners rushed for 301 yards at North Texas in 2020, and 335 against FIU on Nov. 19.

300-YARD GAMES SINCE 2011
UTEP had gained 300+ yards rushing nine times over the last 12 seasons. The Miners are 8-1 in those games.
2011 – 340 (vs. Colorado State)
2013 – 326 (vs. FIU)
2014 – 351 (vs. North Texas)
2014 – 351 (vs. ODU)
2014 – 344 (vs. NM State)
2016 – 323 (vs. Houston Baptist)
2016 – 384 (vs. North Texas)
2020 – 301 (at North Texas)
2022 – 335 (vs. FIU)

SECOND-MOST RUSHING ATTEMPTS UNDER DIMEL
UTEP rushed the ball 61 times against FIU, the second most in the Dana Dimel Era. It's the most rushing attempts since 64 against NM State in 2018, Dimel's first season.

RARITY TO RUSH 60+ TIMES
The Miners have rushed the ball 60+ times only four times in the last 25 seasons. UTEP tallied 61 rushes against FIU on Nov. 19, 64 against NM State in 2018, 67 against San Jose State in 1998, and 69 at Tulsa in 1997.

500+ YARDS TOTAL OFFENSE UNDER DIMEL
UTEP tallied the second-most yards of total offense during the Dana Dimel era with 525 against FIU. The Miners have totaled 500+ yards of total offense in four games since Dimel arrived. The Miners tallied 557 at NM State (2019), 512 at ULM (2020) and 508 against Houston Baptist (2019).

500+ YARDS TOTAL OFFENSE SINCE 2011
The Miners have gained 500+ yards of total offense 11 times over the last 11 seasons. UTEP is 9-2 in those games.
2011 – 538 (vs. Houston)
2014 – 502 (at New Mexico)
2014 – 546 (vs. NM State)
2015 – 542 (at NM State)
2016 – 518 (vs. NM State)
2016 – 514 (vs. Houston Baptist)
2016 – 555 (vs. North Texas)
2019 – 557 (at NM State)
2019 – 508 (vs. Houston Baptist)
2020 – 512 (at ULM)
2022 – 525 (vs. FIU)

FIRST DOWN MINERS!
UTEP tallied a season-high 29 first downs against FIU. It was the most in the Dana Dimel era and most since recording 29 against NM State on Sept. 14, 2013.

RUSHING REY
WR/RB Reynaldo Flores, who originally came to UTEP as a running back, rushed for a career-high 128 yards on a career-most 13 attempts (9.8 avg.) against FIU. He added a career-high two rushing scores. His 10-yard TD put UTEP up 14-0, while his career-long 43-yard dash gave his squad a 21-0 lead. Flores leads the Miners with four rushing touchdowns and ranks third with 202 yards rushing. His previous high was 41 yards against Boise State earlier in the season.

ALL-PURPOSE REY
Reynaldo Flores racked up a career-high and game-high 149 all-purpose yards against FIU. He rushed for 128 yards and recorded 21 yards on a pair of receptions. His previous high was 122 yards done during the season opener. Flores ranks second on the team with 731 all-purpose yards (511 rec., 202 rush, 18 KR). He averages 66.5 yards per game.

CENTURY MARK IN RUSHING, RECEIVING
Reynaldo Flores is the only Miner to hit the century mark in rushing (128 vs. FIU) and receiving (122 vs. North Texas) this season. In fact, Flores is the also the first Miner since 2009 to tally 100-yard games in rushing and receiving in the same season. Donald Buckram gained 109 yards receiving at Tulane on Nov. 7, and registered multiple 100-yard rushing efforts that season.

FIELD GENERAL
Redshirt junior QB Calvin Brownholtz made his second career start on Nov. 19 against FIU. Brownholtz led the Miners to a 40-6 drubbing of the Panthers after tying his career best with two touchdown tosses and rushing for another. He threw for 190 yards on 12-of-18 passing (66.7 percent) and added 31 yards on the ground.

CAREER HIGHS FOR CALVIN
Calvin Brownholtz tallied a career-high 12 completions against FIU in his second career start. His previous high was 10 at North Texas on Dec. 11, 2020 during his first career start. He also registered a career-long 68-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Panthers.

40 POINTS WHEN BROWNHOLTZ STARTS
Calvin Brownholtz's first start came at North Texas on Dec. 11, 2020 when the Miners scored 43 points. UTEP scored 40 points with Brownholtz under center against FIU. In two career starts, Brownholtz has rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns, and thrown for 386 yards on 22-of-44 passing, four TDs and four INTs.

BAECHLE LEADING THE WAY
Gavin Baechle is first in Conference USA with 21 made field goals and ranks tied second nationally. Baechle is 21-for-22 on the season. Baechle leads C-USA in field goals made per game (1.9) and FG percentage (95.5). Baechle ranks third nationally in FG percentage.

TYRIN'S RANKINGS
Redshirt Sophomore WR Tyrin Smith ranks second in Conference USA with 85.5 yards receiving per game. Smith ranks third in C-USA with 940 yards and ranks fourth with 67 receptions.

SMITH'S CONSISTENCY
Tyrin Smith has caught a pass in 23 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 17 games after posting five catches for 58 yards against FIU.

FIRST EVER BACK-2-BACK 1,000-YARD RECEIVERS?
Tyrin Smith needs 60 yards to hit 1K receiving yards in 2022. He's totaled 940 on the season after gaining 58 against FIU. UTEP has never had posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Jacob Cowing posted 1,354 yards in 2021.

ELITE 1K LIST
Tyrin Smith is looking to be only the eighth Miner to ever post a 1,000-yard season. Chuck Hughes (1,519 yards in 1965), Jacob Cowing (1,354 in 2021), Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. (1,319 in 2006), Lee Mays (1,098 in 2000), Kris Adams (1,070 in 2010), Reggie Barrett (1,042 in 1989) and Ed Puishes (1,000 in 1970) all posted 1,000-yard seasons.

70+ CATCHES A RARITY
Tyrin Smith needs three receptions to reach 70 for the season. He'd be only the fourth Miner to do so and first since Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. when he reeled in a school-record 82 receptions in 2006. Lee Mays produced 70 in 2000, while Chuck Hughes tallied 80 in 1965. Smith's current number of 67 receptions ranks fifth best in program history.

BREAKOUT GAME FOR KELLY
Transfer sophomore WR Kelly Akharaiyi posted a career-high 99 yards on three receptions and added his first career TD on a career-long 68-yard reception against FIU. Akharaiyi made a highlight reel with the catch as he outleaped the FIU DB, bobbled the ball but used concentration keep possession and avoided a pair of tacklers before running into the end zone.

FUMBLEROOSKI
UTEP's defense ranks tied 12^th 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 (1.3).

INTERIOR SACKS
Redshirt junior DT's Keenan Stewart and Kelton Moss each recorded their first sack of the season against FIU. Stewart was credited with 0.5 a sack (with DE Jadrian Taylor), while Moss recorded a full sack. For Moss, that was his second career sack, while Stewart has 2.5 sacks in his career.

LEADER OF THE SACK
Senior DE Jadrian Taylor is first in Conference USA with 8.5 sacks. Taylor registered sacks against no. 9 Oklahoma (1.0), Charlotte (3.0), LA Tech (1.0), FAU (2.0), MT (1.0) and FIU (0.5). Taylor has 15.0 career sacks after posting 6.5 last season. Taylor ranks tied 13^th in FBS.

TACKLE MACHINE
Redshirt junior LB Cal Wallerstedt has tallied 42 tackles in the last four games (10.5 per game). He tallied 11 tackles against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 22, a career-high 14 tackles against MT on Oct. 29, racked up 10 more stops at Rice on Nov. 3. Wallerstedt ranks second on the team and ranks eighth in C-USA with 86 tackles.

SACK ATTACK
UTEP ranks third in Conference USA with 24.0 sacks. Middle Tennessee leads the way with 31 and WKU (28.0) ranks second. Miners also rank third in yards lost (164) and sacks per game (2.2).

TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP ranks third in Conference USA with 70.0 tackles for loss. The Miners rank third in TFL/game (6.4). UTEP has three players who rank in the top 10 in C-USA in tackles for loss. Cal Wallerstedt (12.0) ranks second, Jadrian Taylor (10.5) ranks fifth and Kobe Hylton (9.0) ranks tied ninth. Tyrice Knight ranks 17^th (6.5) and Praise Amaewhule (5.5) ranks tied 24^th.

BALL CONTROL
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and ninth nationally in time of possession (33:34). Air Force leads FBS (35:59).

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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