Skip To Main Content

UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners
Skyler TD at SH

UTEP Concludes “Weekday CUSA” at Kennesaw State on ESPNU Tuesday Night

10/27/2025 5:46:00 AM


NOTES: UTEP | KSU | CUSA

EL PASO – Coming off a victory and a bye week, UTEP will continue its road swing at first-place Kennesaw State to wrap up "Weekday CUSA" action on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The Miners and Owls are set to kick off at 6 p.m. MDT/8 ET at Fifth Third Stadium. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPNU. 
 
The contest will be aired on "The Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners app. "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher returns for his 45th season calling the action for the Orange and Blue, with former UTEP football coach Aaron Price joining "Teich" in the booth, and Mando Medina reporting from the sidelines. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU. 
 
The Miners (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) and Owls (5-2, 3-0 CUSA) are meeting for just the second time in the all-time series. UTEP defeated KSU 43-35 in double overtime on Nov. 9, 2024, in the Sun Bowl. 
 
UTEP halted a four-game losing streak after winning at Sam Houston 35-17 on Oct. 15 in Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Following a 99-yard scoring drive by the Bearkats to take an early 7-0 lead and a pair of forced punts in its first two possessions, UTEP clawed back with back-to-back scoring drives to take a 14-7 advantage early in the second quarter. The first was a 50-yard, three-play sprint that resulted in a Josh Schuchts four-yard touchdown reception, the first of his career. UTEP starting quarterback Skyler Locklear then engineered a drive that went 86 yards on nine plays, capped by a Locklear two-yard rushing score. It was the first of two rushing touchdowns by Locklear. Sam Houston cut the deficit to four points (14-10), but Locklear's second rushing TD, this time from 15 yards out, extended the Miners' lead to 21-10 at the midway point of the third quarter. Sam Houston's offense showed life when it drove 90 yards on six plays to make it a four-point game again (21-17). Locklear and Kenny Odom put the game away on a 20-yard touchdown toss to make the count 28-17. Ashten Emory, behind a career-high 118 all-purpose yards, hammered the final nail in the coffin on a 34-yard sprint to paydirt. Locklear finished with two touchdown passes and two rushing scores to go along with 284 yards of total offense. Odom hauled in a career-high 10 receptions for 67 yards. Big-play wide receiver Wondame Davis Jr. led the Miners with 79 yards on a trio of receptions. Overall, the "Blue Blaze" offense racked up 411 yards of total offense. CUSA's leading tackler, Micah Davey, racked up 14 more tackles as 13 of them were solo stops. The "Orange Swarm" added five more tackles for loss and three sacks. True freshman linebacker Vashon Brunswick II tallied a career-high five tackles and registered his first collegiate sack. Solo Barnes added a sack, his first in a UTEP uniform, while Elijah Baldwin and KD Johnson shared a sack. Johnson tied his career best with eight tackles as the fifth-year DT has 37 in 2025 and leads all CUSA DT/NTs in that category. 
 
Kennesaw State has made noise in its first season in CUSA, winning its fifth straight game and improving to 3-0 in league play following a 45-26 win at FIU on Oct. 21. The Owls have also defeated Middle Tennessee (24-16 on Sept. 27) and LA Tech (35-7 on Oct. 9) to keep perfect in conference action. Against the Panthers, Amari Odom threw for 205 yards (10-15) and a touchdown, while adding 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Alexander Diggs rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries and scored a TD. The Owls rushed for four total scores. KSU is ranked fifth in CUSA in total offense (382.3) while yielding 405.1 yards per game.  
 
UTEP (2-5, 1-2) at Kennesaw State (5-2, 3-0)
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28
Time: 6 p.m. MDT/8 ET 
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Venue: Fifth Third Stadium (10,200)
X Updated: @UTEPFB
 
TV: ESPNU
PxP: Chuckie Kempt
Analyst: Darius Walker
 
Radio: 600 ESPN 
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina
 
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Owls will be nationally televised on ESPNU with Chuckie Kempt (play-by-play) and Darius Walker (analyst) in the booth. The action will be on 600 ESPN El Paso with "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher, calling play-by-play in his 45th season. 'Teich', who called his 500th game on Oct. 11, 2023, at FIU, is joined by former UTEP assistant coach Aaron Price in the booth, providing analysis. 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. KENNESAW STATE
The Miners lead the all-time series 1-0. UTEP defeated Kennesaw State 43-35 in double overtime on Nov. 9, 2024, in the Sun Bowl. QB Skyler Locklear threw for career highs in yards (327) and touchdown passes (four), while completing 84.8 percent (28-33) in the win. WR Trey Goodman hauled in 10 passes for 150 yards and WR Kenny Odom recorded 108 yards on eight receptions and racked up a career-high three touchdown receptions. Odom's first score put UTEP up 7-0 at the midway point of the first quarter, while his second TD tied the game at 35 all in the first overtime and the third was the game-winning score. UTEP took a 28-21 lead after QB Shay Smith ran for a three-yard touchdown at the beginning of the fourth, but KSU's Davis Bryson tied the game at 28 apiece after his 14-yard TD run with 2:43 left in the game.
 
ABOUT KENNESAW STATE
The Owls won their fifth consecutive game after pouncing on FIU, 45-26, on Oct. 21, in Miami. Kennesaw State racked up 498 yards of total offense, including 284 in the air and 214 on the ground. The Owls' defense did surrender 503 yards to the Panthers. FIU got within seven points (24-17) after a field goal, but a Dexter Williams II 70-yard touchdown pass to Christian Moss extended KSU's lead to 14 points (31-17). The Panthers got another field goal to make it an 11-point game (31-20), but a Williams III's two-yard TD rush and a Chase Belcher six-yard scoring run put the game away 45-20. The Owls began the season 0-2 after losses at Wake Forest, 10-9, and at No. 21 Indiana, 56-9. The Owls started their win streak with a 27-13 victory over Merrimack College and defeated Arkansas State, 28-21, to even their record at 2-2. Kennesaw State didn't blink when CUSA action started, coming up with a 24-16 win against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 27 and a 35-7 thrashing of LA Tech on Oct. 9. The Owls are averaging 25.3 points per game (177 total) and giving up 21.3 per contest (149 total). Coleman Bennett leads the team with 383 yards, while quarterback Amari Odom has a team-high three rushing scores. KSU ranks fourth in CUSA in rushing yards per game (155.7). Odom has thrown for 959 yards (68-96), completing over 70 percent of his passes and five touchdowns. Williams II has thrown for 605 yards (51-90) and five scores. Gabriel Benyard leads the team in receptions (34), receiving yards (495) and touchdown receptions (three). Benyard is the CUSA leader in receiving yards (495) and yards per game (70.7). Moss has tallied 365 yards on 23 catches. Baron Hopson leads the team with 68 tackles, while Tylon Dunlap leads with 3.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss and fumble recoveries.  
 
LOOKING FOR THREE IN A ROW
UTEP is looking for its first three-game win streak on the road in conference play since 2004. The Miners won at NM State in the 2024 season finale, while winning at Sam Houston on Oct. 15. In 2004, the Miners chalked up road wins at Fresno State (24-21 on Oct. 9), at LA Tech (44-27 on Oct. 23) and at San Jose State (38-20 on Oct. 30) during Western Athletic Conference action. 
 
IN "WEEKDAY CUSA" GAMES
UTEP is 4-5 all-time in "Weekday CUSA" contests since it began in 2023. The Miners are 3-2 on the road after their 35-17 win at Sam Houston last week. In 2023, UTEP won at FIU 27-14 and was victorious at Sam Houston 37-34. UTEP dropped a pair at WKU and LA Tech last year. 
 
EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD HONORABLE MENTION WEEK 8
QB Skyler Locklear threw for 236 yards on 21-of-26 passing, two touchdown tosses, along with 48 yards on the ground and two rushing scores to lead UTEP past Sam Houston. Locklear earned a weekly honor on Oct. 21, following his effort. Locklear's four-yard touchdown pass to TE Josh Schuchts tied the game at 7-7. Locklear's first rushing score, a two-yard trot to the end zone, gave the Miners a 14-7 lead. Locklear's second rushing score – a 15-yard dash to the house – put UTEP up 21-10. With the score 21-17 going into the fourth quarter, Locklear completed a 26-yard pass to WR Kenny Odom on a third-and-15. The big play resulted in a Locklear to Odom 20-yard touchdown as the Miners took an 11-point lead with just over three minutes to play.
 
MOST RUSHING TD'S BY A UTEP QB SINCE '23
Skyler Locklear rushed for a career-high two touchdowns (two yards, 15 yards). He was the first UTEP quarterback to do so in a single game since QB Gavin Hardison ran for a pair against UNLV on Sept. 23, 2023. He's the first UTEP QB to do it on the road since QB Calvin Brownholtz took two to the house on Dec. 11, 2020 (at North Texas). 
 
RUNNING MAN
Skyler Locklear has rushed for 106 yards in the last two games (53.0 avg.) after gaining 48 yards at Sam Houston. The week prior, Locklear rushed for a career-high 58 yards against Liberty. Overall, Locklear has gained 149 yards on 25 attempts (5.96 avg.). Locklear is averaging 37.3 rushing yards per game. 
 
FANCY FEET
Skyler Locklear has rushed for three touchdowns so far in 2025. It's the most rushing scores by a UTEP quarterback since QB Kevin Hurley's trio of touchdown runs in 2023. Overall, Locklear has rushed for five touchdowns in his career. He ranks tied for fourth in CUSA in rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks.
 
BACK2BACK TOUCHDOWN DRIVES
Sklyer Locklear engineered back-to-back touchdown drives against Sam Houston. It was the first time this season the Miners scored on back-to-back possessions against an FBS school. On his first drive, Locklear directed the Miners on only three plays for 50 yards, resulting in a TE Josh Schuchts touchdown catch. Locklear gave the Miners the go-ahead lead with an 86-yard, nine-play march to pay dirt, capped by Locklear's two-yard score. 
 
SKYLER'S SECOND START IN '25
Skyler Locklear made his second start of the season at Sam Houston. Overall, Locklear has started 11 games with the Orange and Blue. 
 
CAREER NIGHT FOR KENNY
WR Kenny Odom hauled in a career-high 10 receptions in UTEP's win at Sam Houston. Odom tallied 67 yards, including a big 26-yard catch on a third-and-15 play and a 20-yard touchdown reception on the same drive that helped put the game away. Odom added career bests in rushing yards (25) and rush attempts (three). Odom totaled 92 all-purpose yards against the Bearkats. 
 
KENNY IS A CATCH
Kenny Odom leads CUSA in receptions per game (6.0) and is tied for the league lead with 36 receptions. Odom's team-high 367 receiving yards rank fifth in CUSA. Odom is tied for third in the league with three touchdown receptions. Odom ranks tied for 20th in the nation in receptions per game. 
 
RUNNING WILD
RB Ashten Emory rushed for a career-high 96 yards on a career-most 15 carries (6.4 avg.) and scored a touchdown on a career-long 34-yard breakaway run in UTEP's victory at Sam Houston. Emory totaled a career-best 118 all-purpose yards, adding two catches for a career-high 22 yards. Emory's previous high was 50 yards against LA Tech. Emory has rushed for a team-high 237 yards on 60 carries and three scores. He ranks 19th in CUSA in rushing. Emory has added 10 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
 
FIRST TD SINCE WEEK TWO
Ashten Emory found the end zone on a 34-yard dash to pay dirt at Sam Houston. It was Emory's first house call since week two, when he accounted for three touchdowns against UT Martin on Sept. 6. Overall, Emory leads the Miners and is tied for fifth in CUSA with five total touchdowns (three rush, two rec.). 
 
MOST RUSHING TD'S SINCE '23
UTEP rushed for a season-high three touchdowns at Sam Houston. QB Skyler Locklear accounted for two and RB Ashten Emory ran for the other. It was the most in a single game since tallying a trio of rushing scores against Liberty on Nov. 25, 2023, and the most on the road since Oct. 25, 2023, at Sam Houston. 
 
BIG PLAY WONDAME
WR Wondame Davis Jr. led the Miners with 79 yards on three catches (26.3 avg) in UTEP's win at Sam Houston. Davis Jr. leads CUSA and ranks 10th in FBS, averaging  20.9 yards per reception. Davis Jr.'s three touchdown receptions rank tied for third in the conference. Overall, Davis Jr. has tallied 272 yards on only 13 receptions. 
 
FIRST CAREER TD
WR Josh Schuchts hauled in a four-yard touchdown at Sam Houston, the first touchdown of his young UTEP career. Schuchts, a redshirt freshman, missed all of 2024 with an injury. Since then, he's filled in at the tight end position with multiple injuries to the tight ends recently. Schuchts is no stranger to the end zone, however, as he was on the other end of a pair of two-point conversions this season. Overall, Schuchts has tallied 43 yards on eight receptions with a touchdown. His first career start came during his first-ever collegiate game against LA Tech on Sept. 27, in the Sun Bowl. Schuchts reeled in four balls for 21 yards. He followed with 18 yards on three catches the next week against Liberty. 
 
GO FOR DOS
UTEP has converted four two-point conversions, tying for first with four other teams (Baylor, Charlotte, Iowa State, UAB) in FBS. QB Shay Smith hooked up with WR Josh Schuchts on a two-point conversion against Liberty. Schuchts hauled one in from QB Skyler Locklear last week against LA Tech. QB Cade McConnellalso found the end zone on the two-pointer, leaping over multiple defenders on a trick play against UT Martin. QB Malachi Nelson converted one on a pass to RB Hahsaun Wilson against ULM. 
 
BALL SECURITY
UTEP has lost only two fumbles, ranking tied for 17th in FBS and tied first in Conference USA. The Miners have only combined for three total fumbles, ranking tied for fifth nationally. 
 
BIG PLAYS FROM THE BLUE BLAZE
In the longest plays from scrimmage in Conference USA, UTEP ranks first in 90+ yard plays (1), 70+ yards (3), 60+ yards (4), 40+ yards (10) and 30+ yards (20).   
 
TOTAL DEFENSE
UTEP ranks third in CUSA and 58th nationally in total defense (357.6). 
 
FIRST-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in CUSA and is tied 33rd nationally in first downs defense (136). 
 
ORANGE SWARM SACK ATTACK
UTEP leads Conference USA and ranks tied for 32nd in FBS with 19 sacks. The Miners' 2.7 sacks per game lead the conference and rank tied for 24th nationally. 
 
TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP has tallied a Conference USA-best 54 tackles for loss. The Miners rank tied for 18th in FBS in total TFL. Its 7.7 TFL per game is also first in CUSA and ranks eighth in FBS. Oklahoma leads the nation in total TFL (89) and TFL per game (11.1). UTEP's 212 yards lost on the TFL ranks 26th in FBS. 
 
THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and is ranked fourth in FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense (25.0, 26-of-104). The Miners only yielded 6-of-18 at Sam Houston. Ohio State leads the nation at 21.4 percent (19-89).  
 
PASSING DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in Conference USA and 43rd in FBS in passing defense (201.4). 
 
CUSA LEADING TACKLER
LB Micah Davey leads Conference USA and is tied 11th in FBS in total tackles (77). Davey ranks fifth in FBS in tackles per game (11.0). Davey totaled 14 more tackles at Sam Houston and 46 in his last four games (11.5 per game). Davey's 37 solo tackles lead the defense. For his college career, Davey has amassed 388 tackles in 35 games (11.1 per game). 
 
CAREER-HIGH 13 SOLO STOPS
Micah Davey was a one-man wrecking crew at Sam Houston after racking up 13 solo tackles of his 14 total. It's the most since joining the Miners and tied his collegiate career after registering 13 solo tackles against Houston Christian on Nov. 11, 2023, while playing at McNeese State. Overall, it's Davey's seventh career double-digit solo tackle effort. 
 
EKOW'S FIRST FUMBLE RECOVERY
Bandit Ekow Taylor (pronounced ECHO) recorded a fumble recovery and returned the ball 63 yards before coming up short of the scoop-and-score at Sam Houston. It was UTEP's fifth overall fumble recovery this season. 
 
GET LOWE
Spur Kode Lowe (pronounced CODY) tallied his first forced fumble as a Miner at Sam Houston. He last forced one in 2024 while playing at West Florida. Lowe's FF led to Ekow Taylor recovering the ball and returning it 63 yards. 
 
KD A FORCE INSIDE
DT KD Johnson tied his career best with eight tackles at Sam Houston. It's the third time in his career and the second time in 2025 that Johnson posted eight tackles. Overall, Johnson has tallied 37 tackles, ranking sixth on the defense and 31st in CUSA. Johnson leads all CUSA interior defensive linemen in tackles. Johnson is well on pace to surpass his 40 tackles in 2024. 
 
FIRST SACK FOR SOLO
S Solo Barnes registered his first sack as a Miner at Sam Houston. It was his first sack since tallying one in 2024 while playing at Fayetteville State. 
 
X MARKS THE SPOT
S Xavier Smith leads UTEP with four passes defended and ranks tied for 10th in CUSA. Smith has totaled three pass breakups and an interception. Smith ranks fourth on the team with 41 tackles. 
 
WILSON STEPPING UP
LB Jayden Wilson has started the last four games after stepping into the starting lineup following multiple injuries to the linebacking corps. Wilson has totaled 38 tackles (9.5 per game) during that span. Wilson recently tallied a collegiate career-high 16 tackles against Liberty on Oct. 8. Wilson has totaled 53 tackles overall on the season. Wilson ranks tied for fifth in CUSA in total tackles and tied for eighth in tackles per game (7.6). 
 
FEWEST PENALTIES PER GAME
UTEP averages 5.7 penalties per game, ranking third-fewest in Conference USA and tied 43rd nationally. The Miners' 52.3 penalty yards per game rank third in CUSA.
 
BOOTING BOTSFORD
P Noah Botsford ranks second in Conference USA, averaging 46.4 yards per game. Botsford has tallied 1,670 yards on 36 boots. Botsford has a long punt of 66 yards with 10 placed inside the 20 and 11 50+ yard punts. Botsford averaged 50.0 yards on three punts (150 yards) at Sam Houston. It was the second time this season that Botsford averaged 50.0 yards (vs. UT Martin). His 66-yard boot tied his career best. 
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will make its return to the Sun City in nearly a month to host Jax State on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Sun Bowl. The Miners and Gamecocks are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff. It will mark the first-ever trip to the 915 for Jax State. 
 
  
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. 
 
Print Friendly Version