Miners Seek 3rd Straight Road Win at Middle Tennessee Saturday Afternoon

11/16/2023 3:11:00 PM

NOTES: UTEP | MT | CUSA

EL PASO, Texas – Following its bye week, the UTEP football team will hit the road to take on Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon. The Miners and Blue Raiders are set to kick off at 1 p.m. CT/Noon MT in Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro.

UTEP is looking to win its third consecutive conference road game since 2004. In fact, the Miners have won three straight league games on the road only two other times – during the 2000 and 1956 seasons.

The Miners (3-7, 2-4 Conference USA) are coming off a 21-13 setback against WKU on Nov. 4 in El Paso. The loss eliminated UTEP from bowl eligibility. The Hilltoppers came into the contest averaging just over 29 points and 395 yards per game as the Miners yielded the prolific offense to 280 yards of total offense including only 102 passing yards. The Miners took a 3-0 lead into the locker room at half time but WKU scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 14-3 advantage. The first came on a two-play, 66-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 64-yard rushing score from RB Elijah Young. The second TD came following a UTEP turnover on a 16-play, 54-yard drive with 14 seconds remaining in the quarter. Kelly Akharaiyi's 62-yard touchdown reception from Cade McConnell got the Miners within four points (14-10) with 14:15 remaining, but WKU pulled away following Young's second rushing score with 9:34 left in the contest.

The Blue Raiders (3-7, 2-4 CUSA) snapped a two-game losing skid following a 40-6 victory over FIU on Nov. 11 in Murfreesboro. MT previously fell at Liberty 42-35 on Oct. 17, and at NM State 13-7 on Nov. 4. Against the Panthers, MT QB Nicholas Vattiato tossed four touchdowns and upped his season total to 20 TD passes (third in CUSA). He's thrown for 2,609 yards, ranking second in CUSA while his 67.1 percent (239-356) ranks first in the league. WR DJ England-Chisolm reeled in a 72-yard touchdown reception against FIU. WR Elijah Metcalf (583 yards) and WR Holden Willis (552) rank no. 8 and 9, respectively in CUSA in receiving yards. MT's passing offense (267.4) ranks second in CUSA, while its total offense (392.4) ranks fourth. The Blue Raiders total defense (401.0) ranks seventh in CUSA, while they give up 28.4 points per game.

"Middle [Tennessee] is a team that's got a lot of talent. We know that they have a lot of players coming back from last year's team that won a bowl game and had, you know, had a difficult schedule early in the year," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel. "MT played two SEC schools to come right out of the gate and then a Mountain West Conference opponent, tough loss that they had and you know have been on and off in conference but they had a nice, good win against FIU last week and got them back on track. You know, and now they have back-to-back home games and their quarterback played extremely well last week. They got three receivers that they really try to accentuate. They do a really good job. They got some good speed."

UTEP (3-7, 2-4) at MT (3-7, 2-4)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT/Noon MT
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Venue: Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (30,788)
X Updates: @UTEPFB

TV: ESPN+
PxP: Jake Rose
Analyst: Jeremy Kellem
Sideline: Justin Beasley

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

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Jake Rose doing play-by-play and Jeremy Kellem providing analysis. The action is on 600 ESPN El Paso with "The Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher calling play-by-play in his 43^rd season. 'Teich', who just called his 500th UTEP football game on Oct. 11, is joined by former UTEP WR Cole Freytag (2012, 2014-16) in the booth providing analysis in his second season, and Mando Medina reporting from the sidelines. The action can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. MT
Middle Tennessee leads the all-time series 4-1 and is 2-0 versus the Miners in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders defeated UTEP last season in El Paso, 24-13. UTEP tied the game at 10-10 following a WR Tyrin Smith four-yard touchdown reception from QB Gavin Hardison right before the half. MT took a 17-10 advantage at the 6:41 mark of the third. UTEP responded with a 47-yard field goal from K Gavin Baechle to get within four points (17-13) with 7:30 left in the game, but MT only used one play on the ensuing possession to go up 11 (24-13) points when QB Chase Cunningham found WR Jaylin Lane on a 75-yard passing score with 7:20 remaining. UTEP's lone victory came on Nov. 29, 2014 when the Miners won 24-21 to finish out the campaign 7-5.

ABOUT MT
The Blue Raiders improved to 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Conference USA play after coming off a 40-6 victory over FIU on Nov. 10. MT QB Nicholas Vattiato threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns as the Blue Raiders jumped all over the Panthers 31-6 in the first half. Vattiato capped the first half with a 72-yard passing score to WR DJ England-Chisolm with 59 seconds left. England-Chisolm tallied 76 yards on two catches with the score. WR Holden Willis (3 rec., 75 yards), WR Elijah Metcalf (4 rec., 31 yards) and WR Jeremy Tate Jr. (1 rec., 20 yards) were on the other end of those Vattiato TD passes. LB Parker Hughes led the defense with seven tackles. Overall on the season, Vattiato ranks third in CUSA with 20 touchdown passes, while ranking second in passing yards (2,609). He ranks in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Metcalf (583) and Willis (552) rank eighth and ninth, respectively in receiving yards in CUSA. MT averages 23.7 points per game (6^th in CUSA) and gives up 28.4 (6^th in CUSA). Its total offense (392.4) ranks fourth, and total defense (401.0) ranks seventh.

THREE IN A ROW ON THE ROAD
UTEP is looking for its third consecutive road conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Middle Tennessee for the first time since the 2004 season. The Miners won at FIU (Oct. 11) and at Sam Houston (Oct. 25). UTEP has won three or more conference road games only three times in school history. During the 2004 season, the Miners defeated Fresno State (Oct. 9), LA Tech (Oct. 23) and San Jose State (Oct. 30). Prior to that, UTEP won three in a row on the road in 2000 (Tulsa on Oct. 7; San Jose State on Oct. 14; and Nevada on Nov. 4). The only other time came during the 1956 season when the Miners had won four consecutive road league games.

MOVIN' ON UP
RB Deion Hankins, after rushing for 67 yards against WKU, has 2,538 yards in his career and ranks no. 8 on the program's all-time rushing list. Hankins needs two yards to move past RB Paul Smith (2,539 yards) ranks seventh, RB Marcus Thomas (2,615 yards) sixth, and RB Toraino Singleton (2,635 yards) is fifth.

WHERE HANKINS RANKS
RB Deion Hankins ranks second in Conference USA with a team-high and single-season career-high 746 yards rushing and 74.6 rushing yards per game. He ranks 50^th in FBS in total rushing yards. Hankins averages 5.4 yards per carry, ranking ninth in CUSA. Hankins's 174 yards rushing earlier in the season ranks second on the CUSA individual player game-highs list.

CADE UNDER CENTER
QB Cade McConnell, who started as the fourth-string QB to begin the season, has made four consecutive starts, going 2-2 in those games. Overall on the season, McConnell has thrown for 909 yards on 56-of-106 passing (52.8 percent). He's added four touchdown passes and a pair of interceptions. In his first career start at FIU on Oct. 11 on ESPN2, McConnell threw for 262 yards on 11-of-17 passing and two scores, including an 80-yard TD pass against the Panthers.

KELLY WITH ANOTHER BIG GAME
WR Kelly Akharaiyi tallied a game-high 141 yards on five receptions including a 62-yard touchdown against WKU. It was Akharaiyi's third 100-yard performance in the last four games after posting a career-high 223 at FIU on Oct. 11 and 126 yards at Sam Houston on Oct. 18.

BREAKING THE CENTURY MARK
WR Kelly Akharaiyi has recorded four 100-yard receiving games as he opened the 2023 season with 102 receiving yards at Jax State on Aug. 26 and followed with 223 yards at FIU, 126 at Sam Houston and 141 against WKU.

BACK2BACK 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES
WR Kelly Akharaiyi posted back-to-back 100-yard games after hitting 141 receiving yards against WKU. The week before he tallied 126 yards at Sam Houston. Akharaiyi is the first UTEP receiver to post back-to-back 100-yard performances since WR Jacob Cowing did so in 2021. Cowing did it in three consecutive games that season (112 vs. UTSA on Nov. 6; 174 at UNT on Nov. 13; 170 vs. Rice on Nov. 20).

SENSATIONAL SECOND SEASON
WR Kelly Akharaiyi, after posting 275 yards on 21 receptions his first year as a Miner, has almost tripled those numbers this season. Akharaiyi leads the Miners in receptions (37), receiving yards (786), yards per catch (21.2) and touchdown receptions (five). He's also recorded the Miners' longest play, an 80-yard touchdown reception at FIU.

WHERE KELLY RANKS
WR Kelly Akharaiyi ranks third in Conference USA with 786 receiving yards in 2023. Akharaiyi ranks fourth in receiving yards per game (78.6), tied fifth in receiving TDs (five) and third in yards per catch (21.2).

BURGESS WITH A PURPOSE
RB Torrance Burgess Jr. leads the Miners with 1,013 all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards per game (101.3). He's rushed for 615 yards and recorded 183 yards on 14 receptions. Burgess Jr. leads the team with 202 kickoff return yards and has 13 punt return yards. A few weeks back, he tallied a career-high 134 all-purpose yards at Sam Houston. Burgess rushed for 52 yards, recorded a five-yard catch and gained a career-best 71 kickoff return yards against the Bearkats.

SECOND MOST IN CUSA
RB Torrance Burgess Jr. ranks second in Conference USA with 101.3 all-purpose yards per game and total plays (148). He ranks third with 1,013 all-purpose yards. Overall in CUSA, Burgess ranks sixth in rushing yards (615), 38^th in receiving yards (183) and fifth in KOR yards (202).

BALLARD'S BREAKOUT SEASON
WR Jeremiah Ballard, after posting 118 yards on 10 catches and a touchdown in 2022, has become one of the primary targets UTEP quarterbacks. Ballard ranks second on the team in receptions (30) and receiving yards (464), while adding his second career TD. The 6-3 redshirt sophomore most recently tallied 30 yards on four receptions vs. WKU.

A CATCH IN EVERY GAME
WR Jeremiah Ballard, after recording four receptions for 30 yards against WKU, has caught at least one pass in every ball game this season. He tallied a career-high 92 yards on four receptions at Northwestern, while hauling in a career-best five receptions for 75 yards against NM State. Ballard reeled in a touchdown against UNLV.

FIRST INT FOR MOORE
S Oscar Moore made his third career start against WKU and came up with his first career interception. Moore picked off a pass from WKU QB Austin Reed during the second quarter.

NATIONAL LEADER IN SOLO STOPS
LB Tyrice Knight has racked up a ton of solo tackles as he leads the nation with 71 and leading with his 7.1 solo tackles per game.

TYRICE TEARING THROUGH OFFENSES
LB Tyrice Knight ranks third in FBS with 116 total tackles and ranks no. 4 in FBS at 11.6 tackles per game after posting 14 against WKU. Knight ranks third in Conference USA with 12.0 tackles for loss. He's also added 3.5 sacks (15 yards), six pass breakups, three QB hurries and a fumble recovery.

KNIGHT'S DOUBLE-DIGIT EFFORTS
LB Tyrice Knight has recorded 18 double-digit tackle performances during his career, including seven in 2023 after posting 14 against WKU. The list started when Knight tallied 14 at UTSA and 11 against North Texas the last two games of the 2020 season. In 2021, he recorded double-digits five times, highlighted by his career-high 15 against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. Also, that season he tallied 12 against UNM, 11 at UNT, 10 against UTSA and 10 more at UAB. In 2022, he added four more with 14 stops at UNM, 12 at Rice, 11 against UNT and 10 versus Middle Tennessee. The redshirt senior opened the campaign with 13 tackles at Jax State and followed with a career-high 16 tackles in a win over UIW. He recorded 14 tackles at Big Ten program Northwestern, then 15 against UNLV 10 more tackles against LA Tech.

CENTURY MARK
LB Tyrice Knight has tallied a Conference USA-most 116 tackles this season after posting 14 against WKU. It's the second time in his career Knight has reached the century mark in total stops. Knight registered 102 tackles in 2021.

RARE ACHEIVEMENT FOR KNIGHT
LB Tyrice Knight, after posting 12 tackles at Sam Houston on Oct. 25, went over the century mark in tackles in 2023. He's the first Miner since LB Troy Collavo to register multiple 100-tackle seasons in a career. Knight tallied 102 tackles in 2021, while Collavo registered 112 tackles in 2005 and 125 in 2006. LB Robert Rodriguez did it three times – tallied 137 tackles in 2001, 135 in 2003 and 121 in 2004.

TOP OF THE CUSA SACK LIST
DE Kanious Vaughn leads UTEP and ranks no. 2 in Conference USA with 6.0 sacks. DE Maurice Westmoreland ranks third in CUSA with 5.5 sacks and DE Praise Amaewhule ranks fourth with 5.0. LB Tyrice Knight is ranked tied for eighth with 3.5 on the season.

SACK ATTACK
The Miners are ranked third in Conference USA with 23 team sacks. UTEP ranks second in CUSA with 2.3 sacks per game.

TOTAL DEFENSE
UTEP's total defense (374.7 yards allowed per game) ranks third in Conference USA behind Jax State (361.5) and Liberty (347.2).

NO FLY ZONE
UTEP's pass defense (194.6 yards allowed per game) ranks second in Conference USA and 24^th in FBS. The Miners are coming off a solid performance, allowing only 102 passing yards by WKU QB Austin Reed who ranks as one of the top signal callers in the nation.

WHAT'S THE BUZZ ABOUT
Redshirt freshman K Buzz Flabiano has made his last five field attempts after going 2-for-2 on FG's against WKU. The contest prior, Flabiano made a career-high three field goals on three attempts. Overall on the season, he's 9-for-13 on field goals and is only one of four Conference USA kickers who is perfect (22-22) on PATs.

UP NEXT
UTEP will close out the regular season against no. 25 Liberty on "Senior Day" (Nov. 25) at 1:30 p.m. in the Sun Bowl.

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