GAME BOOK | POSTGAME NOTES

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona ran up a season-high 544 yards of total offense on its way to a 31-10 win over UTEP on Saturday night in Arizona Stadium in front of 44,182 in attendance. 
 
The Miners (1-3) totaled 332 yards, including 75 yards on seven plays on their final drive to get into the end zone. Backup QB Kevin Hurley threw a 25-yard TD toss to Javoni Gardere with 1:32 remaining in the game. UTEP only tallied 49 rushing yards on 26 attempts (1.9 avg.) and gained 13 first downs. 
 
The Wildcats (2-1) ran for 244 yards rushing on 32 carries (7.6 avg.) led by Michael Wiley's 83 with a touchdown. Jonah Colman gained 71 yards on the ground. Former UTEP WR Jacob Cowing hauled in 10 receptions for 84 yards and a score. Jayden de Laura threw for 285 yards on 23-of-29 passing and three touchdowns. Tetairoa McMillian (six rec., 89 yards) and Montana Lemonious-Craig (two rec., 30 yards) were on the other end of those TD tosses. 
 
Gavin Hardison finished 15-of-31 for 228 yards, while Hurley – in relief – went 3-of-4 for 55 yards and a score. Torrance Burgess Jr. tallied a career-high 78 yards on a career-most three receptions, including a career-long reception of 51 yards. Tyrin Smith registered 64 yards on five receptions. 
 
The Wildcats, on their second possession, turned the ball over after Kobe Hylton forced a fumble that was recovered by Tyrice Knight at the UTEP 48. UTEP couldn't take advantage, being forced to punt. Arizona got on the board first on a 92-yard, seven-play scoring drive that resulted in a McMillan 18-yard scoring pass from de Laura at the 14:53 mark of the second quarter. 
 
The Wildcats looked to take a 10-0 lead on a 45-yard field goal attempt, but it was blocked by Praise Amaewhule. The Miners took over at their own 28 at the 8:53 mark of the second quarter. UTEP made it a 7-3 contest after a seven-play, 65-yard drive. The possession was sparked by Burgess Jr.'s 51-yard catch to the Arizona 13-yard line. Buzz Flabiano capped the drive with his first career field goal from 25 yards out with 5:13 remaining in the first half. 
 
Arizona answered with a 10-play, 74-yard drive that finished with a Wiley three-yard rushing TD to take a 14-3 advantage with 1:23 left in the half. 
 
The Wildcats extended the lead to 17-3 after a 38-yard field by Tyler Loop at the 8:59 mark of the third. U of A drove the ball 54 yards on eight plays with its first possession of the second half. 
 
Cowing put the game away with a two-yard scoring reception with just over two minutes left in the third. The Wildcats used an 82-yard, six-play scoring drive that took 3:13 off the clock to take a 24-3 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the third. De Laura threw his third score with 9:19 left in the contest. 
 
McKel Broussard tallied a career-high 10 tackles, while Hylton – in his return after missing two games – recorded nine tackles along with a QB hurry and forced fumble. Josiah Allen also recorded a career high in tackles with eight, while Knight also got eight tackles. Knight added a sack and pass breakup. Maurice Westmoreland and Bryton Thompson recorded a sack each. 
 
Arizona's Justin Flowe led the way with 11 tackles, while the U of A defense totaled three sacks, and forced a fumble late in the game. 
 
UP NEXT
UTEP returns to the 915 to face Mountain West program UNLV on Sept. 23. The Miners and Rebels are set to kick off at 7 p.m. in Sun Bowl Stadium. The contest will be streamed on an ESPN Platform and can be heard on 95.5 KLAQ and the UTEP Miners App.

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