UTEP Continues Road Swing, Plays at Colorado State for first time in 10 Years Saturday Afternoon on truTV/Max

9/20/2024 8:35:00 AM

NOTES: UTEP | Colorado State | CUSA

EL PASO – UTEP will take on Colorado State for the first time in 10 seasons and for the 36^th time overall when the Miners travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to battle the Rams on Saturday afternoon. UTEP and CSU are set for a 3 p.m. MT kickoff in Canvas Stadium. The contest will be televised on truTV/Max and returns to "The Home of UTEP Football" 600 AM ESPN.

The Miners and Rams last met on Sept. 28, 2013, in Fort Collins. UTEP is looking for its first win at CSU since 1987. The Miners last defeated the Rams in 2011.

UTEP (0-3, 0-1 CUSA) is coming off a 28-10 setback at [RV] Liberty on Sept. 14. The Miners held in there following a Kenny Odom 60-yard touchdown catch from Skyler Locklear to get within four points (14-10) at the beginning of the third quarter. But the Flames pulled away after scoring a touchdown late in the third and another at the 6:51 mark of the fourth. UTEP turned the ball over three times and finished 3-of-10 on third-down conversions. However, the UTEP defense held the Flames – who came into the contest averaging over 228 yards rushing – to 187 yards on the ground.

"We got to play situational football better on offense and convert better on third downs. We had too many miscues and Liberty's a good football team. You make miscues late in games, they're going to find a way to win," UTEP Head Coach Scotty Walden said. "But I am extremely proud of this football team and the growth that I'm seeing. I'm seeing a lot of growth and intentionality. That was the word of the week last week. I'm seeing a lot of intention and a lot of execution that hasn't occurred in the first two weeks. It's all about us every single week continuing to get better and continuing to grow. I'm excited about this week."

Locklear set career bests in attempts (43) and completions (26) while throwing for 244 yards. He's currently the CUSA in passing percentage (66.3). Kam Thomas leads the conference in receptions (20) and all-purpose yards per game (126.7). Linebacker Nate Dyman is coming off a strong performance with a career-high nine tackles and recording his first career fumble recovery. Spur Kory Chapman and linebacker Dorian Hopkins are tied for the league lead in tackles (34) and tackles per game (11.3).

Colorado State (1-2, 0-0 MWC), recently announced as a new Pac-12 member, lost to Colorado 28-9 in the Mountain Rocky Showdown on Sept. 14 in Canvas Stadium. The Rams got on the board first on a Jordan Noyes 25-yard field goal, but then the Buffaloes scored the next four touchdowns to take a 28-3 advantage early in the fourth. Justin Marshall finally found the end zone for CSU on a five-yard touchdown run at the 9:58 mark of the fourth. CSU's chalked up a 38-17 victory over Northern Colorado on Sept. 7 in Fort Collins. The Rams rushed for 224 yards on 39 attempts (5.7 avg.) and totaled 426 yards of total offense.

"Colorado State has a lot of momentum right now – going to the Pac-12; they just came off the Rocky Mountain Showdown, even though it didn't go their way, but they have a lot of firepower," Walden said. "Their quarterback is as good as any. He can thread the needle; he can push it downtown and is very accurate. I think their running back is a very talented player. Horton is one of the very best wide receivers in the nation. Their safeties are very physical, very smart and run very well."

UTEP (0-3, 0-1) at Colorado State (1-2, 0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 3 p.m. MT
Location: Fort Collins, Colo.
Venue: Canvas Stadium (36,500)
X Updated: @UTEPFB

TV: truTV/Max
PxP: JB Long
Analyst: Mike Golic Jr.
Sideline: Jared Greenberg

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

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Flames will be nationally televised on truTV/Max with JB Long (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (analysis) and Jared Greenberg (sideline) on the call. The action returns to "The Home of UTEP Football" 600 AM ESPN with "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher calling play-by-play in his 44^th season. 'Teich', who called his 500^th game on Oct. 11, 2023, is joined by former UTEP WR Cole Freytag (2012, 2014-16) in the booth providing analysis in his third season. El Paso native and long-running member of the local media Mando Medina will be reporting from the sidelines. The contest can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. COLORADO STATE
Colorado State leads the all-time series 25-10 as the series dates back to 1963. The Miners and Rams have not faced each other in 10 seasons. Colorado State won the contest 59-42 on Sept. 28. 2013. The Miners are 3-14 all-time in Fort Collins as the two programs were once Western Athletic Conference Rivals (1968-1998). The Miners were 7-22 versus the Rams during league play. The two squads last met as WAC foes in 1998 during CSU 20-17 victory. In the previous meeting, QB Jameill Showers went 26-of-43 for 365 yards and five touchdowns. WR Jordan Leslie tallied 130 yards on three receptions and two TDs. RB Aaron Jones, who was a true freshman, led the way with 94 yards on the ground. UTEP last won in Fort Collins on Sept. 19, 1987, during a 45-6 thrashing of the Rams. QB Pat Hegarty threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-33 passing. TE Arnie Adkison recorded 110 yards on four receptions and punted six times for 216 yards (36.0 avg.). UTEP's last win against CSU came on Oct. 22, 2011, in a 31-17 victory during the Miners' 80^thHomecoming Game in Sun Bowl Stadium. RB Vernon Frazier ran for 167 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. QB Nick Lamaison found RB Nathan Jeffery on a 36-yard touchdown.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE
The Rams fell to 1-2 after losing to Colorado 28-9 on Sept. 14 in Fort Collins. CSU chalked up a win against Northern Colorado 38-17 in Canvas Stadium. The Rams opened the season with a loss at no. 4 Texas on Aug. 31. Colorado State averages 15.7 points per game and gives up 32.3 per game. CSU is averaging 319.3 yards on offense and yielding 420.7 per contest. RB Justin Marshall is leading the ground game with 227 yards and has a rushing TD. WR Tory Horton leads with 10 receptions and 120 yards. LB Buom Jock is the team leader with 28 tackles. LB Chase Wilson has an interception and 16 tackles (second on the team). The Rams' defense has tallied only two sacks.

CLEANING UP THE MISCUES
The Miners only committed a season-low two penalties for 25 yards at [RV] Liberty after piling on 14 for 122 yards against SUU on Sept. 7. There were only four flags accepted as the Flames were also only penalized twice. They were the least penalties committed by a UTEP team since Nov. 25, 2018. That contest was against Southern Miss in the Sun Bowl where Scotty Walden was on the Golden Eagles' staff. That game also saw only four total penalties committed.

SKYLER CAREER HIGHS
QB Skyler Locklear recorded career highs in pass attempts (43) and completions (26) at [RV] Liberty. Locklear completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to WR Kenny Odom while throwing for 244 yards (second most during collegiate career).

WHERE LOCKLEAR RANKS
Skyler Locklear leads Conference USA in completion percentage (66.3). The redshirt sophomore ranks third in CUSA in passing yards per game (218.0) and total passing yards (654). Locklear's completions (59) and attempts (89) rank second in CUSA. His 132.4 rating ranks fifth in the league. Locklear's completion percentage ranks 43^rd in the nation.

KAM WITH A PURPOSE
MB Kam Thomas has done it all so far. Thomas leads Conference USA in all-purpose yards per game (126.7) and total yards (380). His 12.7 yards per play rank fourth. Thomas has hit triple digits in his first three games as a Miner. The Austin Peay transfer opened the season with 132 all-purpose yards at national power Nebraska, followed by 119 against SUU, and registered 129 all-purpose yards at [RV] Liberty.

KAM'S ALL-PURPOSE YARDS RANKINGS
Kam Thomas ranks first in CUSA in all-purpose yards (380), third in punt return yards (47), fourth in kickoff return yards (96), and fourth in receiving yards (238).

CUSA LEADER IN RECEPTIONS
Kam Thomas leads Conference USA with 20 receptions in the first three games. He opened his UTEP career with seven receptions for 71 yards and a TD at national power Nebraska. Thomas followed up that performance with a season-high 99 yards on five catches. Recently, Thomas hauled in a season-best eight passes for 68 yards at [RV] Liberty. Thomas ranks fourth with 238 receiving yards.

JEVON THE WORKHORSE
RB Jevon Jackson leads Conference USA with 50 plays. He's rushed the ball 45 times, ranking second in CUSA.

MORE ON JEVON
Jevon Jackson, UTEP's leading rusher, ranks fifth in Conference USA in rushing yards (179) and rushing yards per game (59.7).

KENNY'S GOT BURNERS
WR Kenny Odom, in his first start in a UTEP uniform, scored his first touchdown as a Miner on a collegiate career-long 60-yard reception at [RV] Liberty. Odom hauled in a pass down the middle at the LU 36 and raced by multiple Flames' defenders on his way to pay dirt.

ODOM'S NUMBERS
Kenny Odom ranks second on the team and eighth in Conference USA with 161 receiving yards on seven receptions in the first three games played. Last week against SUU, he set a collegiate career best with 97 yards receiving and followed with a career-long 60-yard touchdown reception at [RV] Liberty. Odom's 23.0 yards per catch leads the team and ranks fourth in CUSA.

SEASON HIGHS FOR GOODMAN
WR Trey Goodman set season highs in receiving yards (54) and receptions (six) at [RV] Liberty. Goodman has tallied 88 yards on nine receptions in the first three games.

FIRST CAREER START
RT Luka Matamoros started his first career game on Sept. 14 at [RV] Liberty. The true freshman has played in two games after making his collegiate debut against SUU on Sept. 7 in Sun Bowl Stadium.

CUSA LEADERS IN TACKLES
Spur Kory Chapman and LB Dorian Hopkins are tied first in Conference USA with Jax State's Antonio Carter II in total tackles (34) and tackles per game (11.3).

CHAPMAN & HOPKINS IN FBS
Kory Chapman and Dorian Hopkins are ranked tied for seventh in FBS in total tackles (34) and tackles per game (11.3).

CHAPMAN THE HITMAN
Kory Chapman led the UTEP defense with 11 tackles at [RV] Liberty. Chapman added a sack (six yards) and a TFL against the Flames. It's Chapman's third consecutive double-digit tackle effort while he's totaled 34 tackles (16 solo) in the first three games. It's also Chapman's seventh double-digit tackle performance in his collegiate career after tallying four at his previous school (Austin Peay). Chapman leads UTEP with 3.5 tackles for loss and ranks tied for fourth in CUSA.

FIRST SACK IN A UTEP UNIFORM
Kory Chapman recorded his first sack as a Miner at Liberty. Chapman got to Liberty QB Kaidon Salter for a six-yard loss during the second quarter. For Chapman, it was his first full sack since 2022, and his fifth career sack after tallying 4.0 at Austin Peay.

D-HOP SWARMING
LB Dorian Hopkins has also been impressive to start 2024, as he gathered another nine tackles at [RV] Liberty, and upped his total to 34 stops – tied most in CUSA with two other players including teammate Kory Chapman. Hopkins is averaging 11.3 tackles per game, ranked tied for seventh in FBS. The graduate senior transfer has added 2.0 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in his first and only season with the Miners.

X MARKS THE STOP
S Xavier Smith recorded a season-high 10 tackles and recovered his first collegiate fumble at [RV] Liberty. It's Smith's fourth double-digit tackle effort in his collegiate career after registering three at Austin Peay last season. Smith has 25 tackles, ranking third in the team.

TAFUNA'S FIRST SACK/FORCED FUMBLE
NT Tevita Tafuna, a redshirt senior, recorded his first career quarterback sack and forced fumble during the second quarter at [RV] Liberty.

DYMAN IN THE ROUGH
LB Nate Dyman, in his second consecutive start, registered a career-best nine tackles and recorded his first career fumble recovery at [RV] Liberty. Dyman in his first career start against SUU on Sept. 7, recorded his first career tackles for loss (1.5) and pass breakup. Overall in his first full season, Dyman has tallied 17 tackles (fifth most on the team), while his 2.5 tackles for loss ranks second on the defense.

JUMP ON THE BALL
UTEP has recovered three fumbles in 2024, ranking second in CUSA behind Kennesaw State (four). LB Dorian Hopkins, S Xavier Smith and LB Nate Dyman have each recovered fumbles so far.

FORCING THE ISSUE
Three Miners have each forced a fumble as S Landon Hullaby, NT Tevita Tafuna and LB Dorian Hopkinsare three of 19 CUSA players who have forced a fumble in 2024.

MOORE TACKLES
S Oscar Moore has tallied 19 tackles in three games in 2024, ranking fourth on the team. He's added a 0.5 TFL.

LONGEST ACTIVE STARTS BY A MINER
CB AJ Odums and Bandit Maurice Westmoreland have each started in 15 consecutive games dating back to the 2023 season.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS FOR AJ
CB AJ Odums has started in 15 consecutive games since transferring to UTEP before the 2023 season. It's tied for the longest active streak by a Miner. The senior started all 12 games last year and all three in '24. For his career, Odums has started in 28 straight games dating back to the 2022 season while playing at New Mexico. Since the beginning of the '22 campaign, Odums has started in 26 of 27 games played and 26 of 32 games during his college career.

MO'S 15 STRAIGHT STARTS
Bandit Maurice Westmoreland has also started in 15 consecutive games, tied for the longest active streak by a Miner. Westmorland played in all 12 games in 2022 and started in all 12 last year. Overall, Westmoreland has started in 15 of 27 games since transferring to UTEP from Kilgore College.

KEEPING LIBERTY'S RUSHING ATTACK IN CHECK
UTEP allowed a season-low 187 rushing yards at [RV] Liberty. The Flames went into the ball game averaging 248.0 per contest.

CAREER BESTS FOR JACKLIN
P Adam Jacklin averaged a season-best 42.5 yards on four punts (170) at [RV] Liberty. He also booted a collegiate career-best 54-yard kick against the Flames. His previous best was a 52-yard punt against ACU while at North Texas last season – it was his only punt of the contest. His 42.5 average is a career-best when punting two+ times.

UP NEXT
UTEP, following a bye week, will return to CUSA action on Thursday, Oct. 3, when it hosts Sam Houston. The Miners and Bearkats are set for a 7 p.m. MT kickoff as the contest will be nationally televised on CBSSN.

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