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Saturday Football Returns as Miners Host WKU in the 91st Homecoming Game

11/2/2023 9:52:00 AM

NOTES: UTEP | WKU | CUSA

EL PASO, Texas – Following a month of midweek games, UTEP will return to action on Saturday night as it hosts WKU in the 91st Homecoming Game. The Miners and Hilltoppers will kick off at 7 p.m. in Sun Bowl Stadium. 
 
Saturday evening's contest is sponsored by Allstate Oscar Arrieta, while tickets for homecoming are available by calling 915.747.UTEP, emailing at tickets@utep.edu, or by visiting www.utepminers.com/tickets. The Miners-Hilltoppers' contest will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard on 600 ESPN El Paso. 
 
The Miners (3-6, 2-3 CUSA) are coming off a come-from-behind 37-34 victory at Sam Houston last Wednesday night on ESPN2. UTEP was down 27-13 at the 6:14 mark following an SH field goal. Mike Franklin's three-yard rushing touchdown got the Miners within seven points (27-20) with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Cade McConnell then hooked up with Kelly Akharaiyi on a 25-yard scoring pass that tied the game with 11:25 left in the game. James Neal came up with a huge interception – the first of his career – and returned it 30 yards to the SH 1 that set up a Kevin Hurley one-yard push to pay dirt to give UTEP a 34-27 advantage with 9:57 remaining. The Bearkats tied the game following a UTEP turnover with 6:02 left. On Sam Houston's ensuing possession, the Miners forced a punt and McConnell followed with a 37-yard pass to Jeremiah Ballard down the left sideline to the Sam Houston 19 on the first play of the drive. On the next play, Deion Hankins – who rushed for a game-high 117 yards – carried the ball to the SH 15 that helped set up the 32-yard game-winning field goal from Buzz Flabiano. The redshirt freshman connected on a career-best three field goals on three attempts and went 4-for-4 on PATs. He scored a career-high 13 points, the most by a UTEP kicker since 2011. 
 
The Hilltoppers (4-4, 2-2 CUSA) have lost two straight after falling to the top two programs in the league. WKU fell at Jax State, 20-17, on Oct. 17, and followed that with a 42-29 loss against undefeated Liberty on Oct. 24. WKU took a 10-7 lead against the Flames following a L Carneiro 26-yard FG at the 12:39 mark of the second, but was outscored 35-19 the rest of the way. WKU QB Austin Reed put up big numbers, throwing for 365 yards on 30-of-44 passing and four touchdown passes. 
 
The Miners welcome back WKU for the first time since the 2017 season. The Hilltoppers bring a prolific offense that averages just over 29 points per game. However the WKU defense is surrendering a CUSA-high 467.1 yards per contest. However, the Hilltoppers' D has been opportunistic, forcing 18 turnovers (nine interceptions, nine fumble recoveries). 
 
UTEP, which ranks third in CUSA with 22 sacks, will look to harass Reed. The senior is the conferences' top QB in touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,280), attempts (338) and completions (204). Reed has thrown only five interceptions on the season.
 
"[Here's] a chance to get back home and get ourselves back on track with our homefield advantage, playing against a Western Kentucky team that has a very prolific offense," UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel said. "They have a tremendous quarterback. They've got very, very talented, skilled players across the board, whether it be running back or wide receiver. They use a bevy of receivers. They have obviously have one receiver that's got the predominant amount of the catches, but they got some other receivers that got in the upper twenties for catches for them as well. So, they don't have any trouble moving the ball. They score a lot of points and have so for the last three or four years in conference play. They've been one of the best offenses in the conference for quite a while now. Defensively they have a lot of athleticism. They give you multiple looks for to prepare for offensively and do a good job with their defensive scheme as well. So again, it'll be a big test for us."
 
UTEP (3-6, 2-3) vs. WKU (4-4, 2-2)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: El Paso, Texas
Venue: Sun Bowl Stadium (45,971)
X Updates: @UTEPFB
 
TV: ESPN+
PxP: Duke Keith
Analyst: Jacob Boggs
 
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 Duke Keith (play-by-play) and Jacob Boggs (analysis) calling the action. The action is on 600 ESPN El Paso with "The Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher calling play-by-play in his 43rd 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 Medinareporting from the sidelines. The action can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.
 
SERIES VS. WKU
WKU leads the all-time series 3-0. Saturday's contest is the first between the two programs since 2018 when the Hilltoppers topped the Miners 40-16 during Dana Dimel's first year as head coach. UTEP and WKU are meeting in El Paso for the first time since the 2017 season in a Hilltoppers 15-14 win in the Sun Bowl. The two programs first met on Nov. 8, 2014 when WKU came out victorious 35-27 in Bowling Green. 
 
ABOUT WKU
WKU (4-4, 2-2 CUSA) has lost its last two games against the top two teams in Conference USA. The Hilltoppers fell to undefeated Liberty 42-29 on Oct. 24, while losing at Jax State 20-17 on Oct. 17. WKU opened the season with a 41-24 win against South Florida on Sept. 2 and beat up on Houston Christian 52-22 the following week. The Hilltoppers were ran out of Columbus following a 63-10 loss at no. 6/4 Ohio State on Sept. 16. WKU also fell at Troy 27-24 on Sept. 23. WKU ranks second in CUSA in scoring offense (29.9) and 57th in FBS. WKU averages 395.4 yards of total offense, ranking third in CUSA. The Hilltoppers rank seventh in CUSA total defense (467.1 yards allowed per game). QB Austin Reed is the top passer in CUSA ranking no. 1 in passing yards (2,280), passing yards per game (285.0), passing touchdowns (20) and completions (204). He's only thrown five interceptions on a league-most 338 passing attempts. WR Malachi Corley leads CUSA in receiving yards per game (92.4) and ranks second with 647 yards receiving in seven games played. Corley has also hauled in 49 receptions with seven touchdown catches. DB Kendrick Simpkins ranks tied fourth in CUSA with 4.5 sacks. DB Talique Allen leads the defense with 41 tackles. Overall, the WKU defense has forced 18 turnovers (nine INTs, nine FR). It ranks no. 2 in CUSA and eighth nationally in turnover margin (+8). 
 
A BIT OF HOMECOMING HISTORY
UTEP is 40-49-1 all-time in homecoming games. UTEP last won a homecoming game in 2021, defeating Old Dominion 28-21. Since winning five consecutive homecoming games from 2008 thru 2012, UTEP is 2-7 in its last nine. The Miners beat NM State 8-0 in the very first homecoming game in 1929. 
 
FIRST TIME SINCE 2004
UTEP, after winning at FIU and Sam Houston, has won consecutive road games (in the same season) for the first time posting three straight road victories in 2004.That year the Miners defeated Fresno State, 24-21, on Oct. 9, LA Tech, 44-27, on Oct. 23 & San Jose State, 38-20, on Oct. 30.
 
BIGGEST COMEBACK SINCE '16
UTEP rallied from 14 points down (27-13) at Sam Houston on Oct. 25. The last time UTEP rallied from 14 points down on the road came at UTSA on Oct. 22, 2016 when the Miners won 52-48 in quadruple overtime.
 
200+ RUSHING YARDS
UTEP rushed for 222 yards at Sam Houston on Oct. 25, making it the third time this season the Miners went for 200+ yards. UTEP rushed for 329 yards against UIW and 224 against LA Tech.  UTEP ranks fourth in Conference USA with 159.9 rushing yards per game. 
 
200+ DURING DIMEL ERA
UTEP has rushed for 200+ yards in 16 games during the Dana Dimel era. The Miners rushed for 329 yards vs. UIW, 224 vs. LA Tech and 222 at Sam Houston in 2023. Last season, UTEP rushed for 253 at UTSA, 335 vs. FIU, 234 vs. FAU and 252 at Charlotte. In 2021, the Miners hit 265 at Southern Miss, 289 vs. Bethune-Cookman and 203 at NM State. In 2020, UTEP did twice – 301 at North Texas and 210 at ULM. UTEP rushed for 240 yards in the 2019 season opener. In Dimel's first season, the rushing attack went for 200 at Rice, 235 against NM State and 265 at UNLV. 
 
FIRSTS IN 2023
UTEP scored a season-high 37 points at Sam Houston, while it was the first time UTEP went for 30+ points since scoring 31 at UTSA on Nov. 26, 2022. The Miners also chalked up their first victory when being down at the half (21-13) and trailing after the third quarter. Prior, UTEP was 0-4 in games behind at the half and 0-6 in games trailing after the third quarter. 
 
FIRST BACK2BACK 100-YARD EFFORTS
RB Deion Hankins hit 100+ rushing yards in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Hankins rushing for 117 yards at Sam Houston on Oct. 25 and hit 120 against NM State on Oct. 18. 
 
FIRST TIME SINCE '16
RB Deion Hankins was the first Miner to record back-to-back 100+ rushing yards since RB Aaron Jones did so in 2016. Jones rushed for 228 yards against Houston Baptist on Nov. 5 and followed that with 229 yards at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 12. 
 
ANOTHER 100-YARD PERFORMANCE
RB Deion Hankins rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries at Sam Houston. It was Hankins third 100-yard game in 2023 and eighth of his career. He's gone for back-to-back 100-yard performances after hitting 120 against NM State. Earlier in the season Hankins for a career-high 174 yards against UIW. Hankins rushed for 138 yard against FAU and 112 at Charlotte last season. His first 100-yard game came in the 2020 season opener against SFA with 113. Hankins also rushed for 118 yards at ULM and 119 at Charlotte in 2020.
 
100-YARD GAMES' LIST
RB Deion Hankins, with eight 100-yard rushing performances, now ranks tied 10th with RB Fred Wendt on the program's career individual 100-yard game list. RB's Pug Gabrel, Robert Elliott and Donald Buckramrank tied for seventh with nine 100-yard games. 
 
MOVIN' ON UP
RB Deion Hankins, after rushing for a game-high 117 yards at Sam Houston, has 2,471 yards in his career and moved up to no. 8 on the program's all-time rushing list. Hankins needs 69 yards to move past RB Paul Smith (seventh with 2,539 yards). RB Marcus Thomas ranks sixth with 2,615 yards. 
 
MOVING UP THE RUSHING TD LIST
RB Deion Hankins scored his 21st career touchdown on a two-yard rush during a win at Sam Houston on Oct. 25. Hankins is now ranked tied for seventh on the program's all-time list with RB Owen Price and RB Donald Buckram. RB Fred Wendt (23 TD), RB Howard Jackson (25 TD), RB Marcus Thomas (26 TD), RB Pug Gabrel (27 TD), RB Aaron Jones (33 TD) and RB John Harvey (42 TD) round out the top 10.
 
WHERE HANKINS RANKS IN CUSA
RB Deion Hankins ranks second in Conference USA with a team-best 679 yards rushing. Hankins ranks fourth in CUSA with his 75.4 rushing yards per game. Hankins averages 5.5 yards per carry, ranking seventh in CUSA. Hankins's 174 yards rushing earlier in the season ranks second on the CUSA individual player game-highs list. 
 
MORE MCCONNELL MAGIC
QB Cade McConnell made his third career start at Sam Houston on Oct. 25 and helped rally UTEP from a 14-point deficit to improve to 2-1 as a starter. McConnell passed for 206 yards and a game-tying 25-yard touchdown pass to WR Kelly Akharaiyi early in the fourth quarter. McConnell also hooked up with WR Jeremiah Ballard with a clutch 37-yard connection that set up the game-winning field goal by K Buzz Flabiano to beat the Bearkats 37-34. 
 
CADE UNDER CENTER
QB Cade McConnell, who started as the fourth-string QB to begin the season, has made three consecutive starts in the month of October, going 2-1 in those games. Overall on the season, McConnell has thrown for 695 yards on 42-of-82 passing (51.2 percent). He's added three touchdown passes and an interception. 
 
KELLY WITH ANOTHER BIG GAME
WR Kelly Akharaiyi tallied a game-high 126 yards on six receptions including a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter at Sam Houston. Akharaiyi was quiet in the first half (37 yards) but came alive with 89 yards on four receptions in the second half, including 76 coming in the fourth. It was Akharaiyi's second 100-yard performance in the last three games after posting a career-high 223 at FIU on Oct. 11. Overall, Akharaiyi has recorded a trio of 100-yard receiving games as he opened the 2023 season with 102 receiving yards at Jax State on Aug. 26. 
 
SENSATIONAL SECOND SEASON
WR Kelly Akharaiyi, after posting 275 yards on 21 receptions his first year as a Miner, has more than doubled those stats in his season. Akharaiyi leads the Miners in receptions (32), receiving yards (645), yards per catch (20.2) and touchdown receptions (four). 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 645 receiving yards in 2023. Akharaiyi ranks fourth in receiving yards per game (71.7), tied fifth in receiving TDs (four) and third in yards per catch (20.2). He ranks top 50 in FBS in receiving yards per game and 33rd in total receiving yards. 
 
BURGESS WITH A PURPOSE
RB Torrance Burgess Jr. tallied a career-high 134 all-purpose yards at Sam Houston. Burgess rushed for 52 yards, recorded a five-yard catch and gained 71 kickoff return yards against the Bearkats. Burgess leads the Miners with 921 all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards per game (102.3). He's rushed for 529 yards and recorded 184 yards on 13 receptions. Burgess Jr. leads the team with 202 kickoff return yards and has six punt return yards. 
 
TIED FIRST IN CUSA
RB Torrance Burgess Jr. ranks tied for first in Conference USA with 102.3 all-purpose yards per game, while he ranks tied first with Smoke Harris with 921 total plays. Overall in CUSA, Burgess ranks sixth in rushing yards (529), 31st in receiving yards (184) and third in KOR yards (202). 
 
BIG CATCH
WR Jeremiah Ballard came up with one of the clutch receptions in 2023. Ballard hauled in a 37-yard catch down the left sideline at the Sam Houston 19 that helped set up K Buzz Flabiano's game-winning 32-yard field goal at beat the Bearkats. He finished with 48 yards on three receptions against Sam Houston.
 
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 (26) and receiving yards (434), while adding his second career TD. The 6-3 redshirt sophomore most recently tallied 48 yards on three receptions at Sam Houston.
 
A CATCH IN EVERY GAME
WR Jeremiah Ballard 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. 
 
HURLEY PUSH
QB Kevin Hurley has rushed for two touchdowns in as many games. Both scores were one-yard plunges into the end zone with the first coming against. NM State on Oct. 18 and followed with another at Sam Houston on Oct. 25. The one at Sam Houston gave the Miners a 34-27 lead early in the fourth quarter. 
 
CENTURY MARK
LB Tyrice Knight has tallied a Conference USA-most 102 tackles this season after posting 12 at Sam Houston. 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, went over the century mark with 102 total tackles in 2023 thus far. 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.
 
NATIONAL LEADER IN SOLO STOPS
LB Tyrice Knight has racked up a ton of solo tackles as he leads the nation with 66 and leading with his 7.3 solo tackles per game. 
 
TYRICE TEARING THROUGH OFFENSES
LB Tyrice Knight ranks third in FBS with 102 total tackles and ranks no. 5 in FBS at 11.3 tackles per game after posting 12 at Sam Houston. Knight ranks second in Conference USA with 11.0 tackles for loss. He's also added 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three QB hurries and a fumble recovery. 
 
KNIGHT'S DOUBLE-DIGIT EFFORTS
LB Tyrice Knight has recorded 17 double-digit tackle performances during his career, including six in 2023 after posting 12 at Sam Houston. 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.
 
MO' SACKS
DE Maurice Westmoreland registered a sack at Sam Houston, giving the junior a Conference USA-most 5.5 on the season. After not recording one in his first season with the Miners and the first two games of 2023, he's stepped up his game, recording all 5.5 in the last seven games this season. He's tied for 27th nationally in sacks with 11 other players. 
 
TOP OF THE CUSA SACK LIST
DE Maurice Westmoreland leads Conference USA with 5.5 sacks after posting one at Sam Houston. DE Praise Amaewhule and DE Kanious Vaughn each have 5.0 sacks this season, ranking tied for second in Conference USA. LB Tyrice Knight is ranked tied for eighth with 3.5 on the season. 
 
SACK ATTACK
The Miners are ranked third in Conference USA and tied 25th in FBS with 22 team sacks after posting three more against NM State. UTEP also ranks third in CUSA sacks per game (2.4).
 
SACK KING BREAKING INTO PBU LIST
DE Praise Amaewhule added his 22nd career pass breakup at Sam Houston and now ranks 10th on the program's all-time PBU list. Amaewhule is one behind Darius Ellison and Weldon Cooks with 23 each, ranking tied eighth.  
 
PRAISE'S BLOCK PARTY
DE Praise Amaewhule ranks tied first with seven other players in FBS with two blocked kicks. Amaewhule most recently blocked a kick against NM State on Oct. 25 and at Arizona on Sept. 16. The 6-3 Amaewhule has tallied three career blocked kicks.  
 
NEAL'S CLUTCH INT
LB James Neal's first career interception could've have come in a bigger moment. After UTEP was down 14 points, he picked off a Keegan Shoemaker pass and returned to the Sam Houston one-yard line. His turnover led the Miners' taking a 34-27 lead on a rushing score early in the fourth quarter. 
 
CAREER BESTS FOR A TRIO OF DB'S
CB AJ Odums tallied a career-high five tackles at Sam Houston, while S Oscar Moore added a career-most five stops and S Davis Burns with two tackles. Burns also tallied his first career QB hurry. 
 
SOLID PASS DEFENSE
UTEP's pass defense ranks 38th in FBS and second in Conference USA, yielding 204.9 passing yards per game. Michigan leads nationally at 141.0 per game, while LA Tech leads CUSA (172.4). 
 
THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
The UTEP defense struggled early on with getting off the field at Sam Houston, allowing 7-for-9 conversions. The Bearkats entered the third quarter at 6-for-8 and converted their first third-down play of the second half. Following that, the defense stepped up and only yielded 1-of-7 down the stretch. 
 
WHAT'S THE BUZZ ABOUT
Redshirt freshman K Buzz Flabiano had himself a career night on national television. Flabiano connected on a career-best three made field goals. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night while also going 4-for-4 on PATs. Flabiano scored a career-high 13 points. 
 
MOST POINTS FOR A KICKER SINCE '11
K Buzz Flabiano scored a career-high 13 points on a trio of made field goals and hitting four extra point attempts. Flabiano scored the most points for a UTEP kicker since K Dakota Warren's 14 points at Tulane on Oct. 15, 2011. Warren made three FGs and made five PATs. 
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will have its second bye week of the 2023 season, and will return to action at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 18 with a Noon MT kickoff. The Miners will close out the regular season against Liberty on "Senior Day" (Nov. 25) at 1:30 p.m. in the Sun Bowl. 
 
 
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