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UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners
UTEP v NM State
28
Winner New Mexico St. NMS 5-3 , 3-1
7
UTEP TEP 2-6 , 1-3
Winner
New Mexico St. NMS
5-3 , 3-1
28
Final
7
UTEP TEP
2-6 , 1-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NMS New Mexico St. 7 0 14 7 28
TEP UTEP 0 7 0 0 7

Game Recap: Football |

UTEP Fades in Second Half during 28-7 Loss to NM State Wednesday Night

GAME BOOK | POST GAME NOTES

EL PASO, Texas – NM State scored 21 unanswered points in the second half on its way to a 28-7 victory over UTEP in the 100th Battle of I-10 on Wednesday night in Sun Bowl Stadium.
 
The Miners (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) struggled on offense, totaling 304 yards while only converting 2-of-13 third downs. Deion Hankins highlighted the offense with a game-high 120 yards on 16 carries (7.5 avg.). It was Hankins's seventh career 100-yard rushing performance. 
 
Diego Pavia accounted for 282 of the Aggies' (5-3, 3-1 CUSA) 439 yards of total offense. Pavia rushed for 96 yards (6.9 avg.) and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard scamper in the third quarter to put NM State up 21-7. Pavia also threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Monte Watkins added a team-high 109 yards on 10 rushing attempts (10.9 avg.). 
 
NM State got on the board first on a 74-yard, eight-play drive that resulted in a Pavia 10-yard rushing touchdown. On the drive, Pavia was sacked by Kanious Vaughn, but Maurice Westmoreland was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty that moved the ball to the UTEP 45. Following that, Monte Watkins rushed 34 yards to the 10-yard line to set up the score.
 
The Miners answered with a one-yard rushing score from backup QB Kevin Hurley – his first career rushing touchdown. The drive was emphasized by a season-long 54-yard run by Hankins to the NMSU 2. The Miners drove the ball 75 yards on seven plays that took off 3:52 off the clock. 
 
The Aggies missed two field goals in the first half, including a 25-yard attempt that was blocked by Praise Amaewhule with no time left in the half. The Miners and Aggies went into the locker room tied 7-7. 
 
NM State came out of the second half as Pavia engineered a 69-yard, five-play drive that was capped by a six-yard touchdown pass to Thomaz Whitford. 
 
Pavia, on the Aggies' next possession following a UTEP punt, ran past defenders for a 41-yard touchdown and a 21-7 advantage with 6:44 left in the third quarter. Pavia added a 16-yard TD pass to Whitford early in the fourth to pull away. 
 
"That was a big part of what happened there in the second half. They put together a drive (on their) first of the third quarter. (They) had a couple of busted plays on that for big plays and ended up getting the ball in the end zone and got a score there," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel said. "We responded with a little bit of a drive that started on that next possession and then had to punt."
 
Jeremiah Ballard recorded 75 yards on five receptions while Torrance Burgess Jr. totaled 87 all-purpose yards (25 rush, 62 rec.). Cade McConnell finished 15-of-32 for 179 yards and was sacked four times. 
 
Vaughn tied his career high with 2.0 sacks, while tallying 4.0 the last two weeks. Kobe Hylton led the defense with nine tackles and Tyrice Knight registered eight. Amaewhule tallied a sack, his fifth of the season. Amaewhule and Vaughn each have 5.0 sacks to lead the team.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will hit the road for its final Wednesday contest when the Miners head to Huntsville, Texas, to take on Sam Houston on Oct. 25. The Miners and Bearkats will kick off at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN2 and 600 ESPN El Paso. 
 
 
Help Support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://givingto.utep.edu/mac today!
 
UTEP football is celebrating 60 years in the historic Sun Bowl. You're invited to pledge to support the Miners' success during the 2023 season. You can pledge to support each Miner win, bowl eligibility and even a CUSA Championship. Personalize your support of the Miners! https://caringcent.org/utep/football23
 
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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