UTEP Hits the Road to Play at Missouri State Saturday Afternoon

11/14/2025 8:16:00 AM

GAME NOTES: UTEP | MSU | CUSA

EL PASO – UTEP will make its first-ever trip to the "Show Me State" as the Miners will play new Conference USA member Missouri State on Saturday afternoon. The Miners (2-7, 1-4 CUSA) and Bears (6-3, 4-1 CUSA) will kick off at 1 p.m. MST/2 CT in Springfield at Robert W. Plaster Stadium.

The contest will be aired on 95.5 KLAQ FM and the UTEP Miners app. "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher is in 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 streamed on ESPN+.

The Miners and Bears are meeting for the first time on Saturday afternoon.

UTEP dropped its second straight game after a 30-27 setback against Jax State on Nov. 8 in the Sun Bowl. Skyler Locklear accounted for four touchdowns against the Gamecocks. Overall, Locklear has accounted for 10 touchdowns (6 TD passes, 4 TD rush) in the last three games. Locklear added a career-high 82 yards on 17 carries with two rushing scores, but it wasn't enough as JSU kicker Garrison Rippa connected on a 45-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the game. Rippa hit three field goals overall in the game. Jax State also ran for 275 yards. Wondame Davis Jr. had a big day, racking up a career-high 166 receiving yards on five catches (33.2 avg.) and a career-long 75-yard touchdown catch. Davis Jr.'s yardage was the second most in FBS week 11. Davis Jr. enters the Missouri State game ranked second in FBS and first in CUSA in yards per catch (22.9).

Defensively, the "Orange Swarm" attack ranks second in the FBS in third-down defense. The Miners' stingy defense is yielding only 25.4 percent (33-130). UTEP ranks first in CUSA in tackles for loss (66) and TFL yards (249). The Miners rank second in the conference with 20 sacks, but first in sack yards (144). Linebacker Micah Davey leads the league and ranks fourth in FBS with 107 tackles. Udoka Ezeani ranks tied for third with 8.5 TFL.

Missouri State, in its first year in FBS, is on a four-game winning streak and has forged a 4-1 CUSA record. The Bears are coming off a 21-17 win at Liberty on Nov. 8. Jacob Clark threw 1 13-yard touchdown pass to Tristian Gardner with 27 seconds remaining, followed by the PAT to take the go-ahead lead. Clark threw for 286 yards (20-33) and two scores, while Gardner led the way with 80 yards receiving. Clark has been one of the top passers in CUSA, ranking third with 15 touchdown passes and fourth with 1,927 yards. Clark is completing 63.8 percent of his passes and has thrown eight interceptions. He's completed passes to five different receivers as Ramone Green Jr. (22 rec., 361 yards, 2 TD), Dash Luke (27 rec., 360 yards, 2 TD), Jmariyae Robinson (26 rec., 350 yards, 4 TD), Gardner (23 rec., 349 yards, 3 TD), and Ronnel Johnson (25 rec., 344 yards, 2 TD) have each tallied at least 20+ receptions and 340+ yards.

UTEP (2-7, 1-4) at Missouri State (6-3, 4-1)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
Time: 1 p.m. MST /2 CT
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Venue: Robert W. Plaster Stadium (17,500)
X Updated: @UTEPFB

STREAM: ESPN+
PxP: Don West
Analyst: Tom Mast
Sideline: Cierra Clark

Radio: 95.5 KLAQ FM
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Bears will be streamed on ESPN+. The action will be on 95.5 KLAQ FM with "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher, calling play-by-play in his 45th season. 'Teich', who called his 500^th 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. MISSOURI STATE
The Miners and Bears will face each other for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.

ABOUT MISSOURI STATE
The Bears, in their first year in FBS, improved to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in CUSA action after winning their fourth consecutive game. Missouri State lost its first league contest, falling against WKU at home 27-22 on Sept. 27. Since then, the Bears have won four straight in conference play, winning at Middle Tennessee, 22-20 (Oct. 8), at NM State, 24-17 OT (Oct. 22), versus FIU, 28-21 (Oct. 29), and most recently at Liberty, 21-17 last week. Jacob Clark, one of CUSA's leading passers, threw for 286 yards (20-33) and a pair of scores to lead the Bears over the Flames. Tristian Gardner (five rec., 80 yards) and Jmairyae Robinson (five rec., 60 yards) each hauled in touchdowns. Gardner's 13-yard scoring reception helped give Missouri State the go-ahead 21-17 lead with 27 seconds remaining in the contest. Robinson's 28-yard grab put Missouri State on the board after falling behind 10-0. Overall, the Bears average 22.6 points and give up 25.9. MSU averages 368.3 total offense per game (seventh in CUSA). Clark ranks fourth in CUSA with 1,927 yards on 152-of-239 passing (63.6 percent). Clark's 15 TD passes rank third, and he is fourth in completion percentage. Clark spreads the ball around as five different receivers have at least 20+ catches and 340+ yards: RB Ramone Green Jr. (22 rec., 361 yards, 2 TD), WR Dash Luke (27 rec., 260, 2TD), WR Jmariyae Robinson (26 rec., 350 yards, 4 TD), WR Tristian Gardner (23 rec., 349 yards, 3 TD), and WR Ronnel Johnson (25 rec., 344 yards, 2 TD). RB Shomari Lawrence leads the running game with 598 yards on 125 attempts and four touchdowns. Green Jr. is second with 189 yards on 33 rushes. LB Jalen Brooks leads the defense with 55 tackles and three breakups. CB Thomas Anderson is second with 54 tackles and has four breakups. Overall, the Bears have 40 breakups, ranking second in CUSA. CB Jordan Dunbar has a team-high nine breakups (third in CUSA).

RUNNING MAN
QB Skyler Locklear rushed for a career-high 82 yards on 17 attempts against Jax State. Locklear has rushed for 265 yards in the last four games (66.3 avg.). Overall, Locklear has gained a team-high 308 yards on 65 attempts (4.7 avg.). Locklear is averaging 51.3 rushing yards per game. Locklear ranks 15^th overall in CUSA rushing yards. Locklear's five rushing touchdowns lead UTEP and rank tied seventh in CUSA.

MOST RUSHING TD'S BY UTEP QB IN SIX YEARS
Skyler Locklear has rushed for five touchdowns in six games started after getting two more against Jax State. Locklear has the most by a UTEP quarterback since QB Kai Locksley rushed for five scores in 2019.

SECOND TIME IN 2025
Skyler Locklear accounted for four touchdowns against Jax State. Locklear rushed for scores of one yard and 10 yards, while tossing 75 and 19-yard touchdowns against the Gamecocks. Locklear also did so at Sam Houston, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing a pair.

CAREER LONG PASS
Skyler Locklear threw a career-long 75-yard touchdown pass to WR Wondame Davis Jr. against Jax State. His previous long was 69 yards at NM State last season.

SEASON-HIGH PASSING YARDS
Skyler Locklear threw for a season-high 244 yards against Jax State. He's thrown for 640 yards in the last three games (213.3).

HURLING THE ROCK
Skyler Locklear has done it with his feet while also getting it done in the air after tossing two touchdowns, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown. Overall, Locklear has thrown seven touchdowns since starting in the last six games, including six touchdown passes in the last three games.

TOUCHDOWNS ACCOUNTED FOR
Skyler Locklear has accounted for 12 touchdowns so far (7 TD passes, 5 TD rushes).

SECOND HIGHEST RECEIVING TOTAL IN FBS WEEK 11
WR Wondame Davis Jr. tallied a career-high 166 receiving yards, the second-highest output in FBS week 11. Texas State's Beau Sparks had 186 at Louisiana.

CAREER DAY FOR WONDAME
Wondame Davis Jr. tallied a career-high 166 yards on five receptions (33.2 avg.) and a touchdown against Jax State. Davis Jr.'s touchdown was a career-long catch of 75 yards.

MOST RECEIVING YARDS AT HOME SINCE 2021
Wondame Davis Jr.'s 166 yards receiving in the Sun Bowl on Saturday were the most since WR Jacob Cowing tallied 170 yards Nov. 20, 2021, against Rice.

SECOND IN THE NATION
Wondame Davis Jr. ranks second in the nation, averaging 22.9 yards per reception. Davis Jr. has 457 yards on 20 receptions.

BIG PLAY WONDAME
Wondame Davis Jr. leads CUSA and ranks second in FBS, averaging  22.9 yards per reception. Davis Jr.'s four touchdown receptions rank tied for seventh in the conference. Overall, Davis Jr. has tallied 457 yards on only 20 receptions. Davis Jr. ranks ninth in CUSA in receiving yards.

FIRST TD AS A MINER
WR Eric Willis III caught his first touchdown in a Miner uniform, a 19-yard reception in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 27 apiece against Jax State. It was Willis's first touchdown reception since Oct. 26, 2024, against Slippery Rock while playing at California (Pa.).

BALL SECURITY
UTEP has lost only three fumbles, ranking tied for 20^th in FBS and tied first in Conference USA. The Miners have only combined for seven total fumbles, ranking second in CUSA and tied for 21^st nationally.

BIG PLAYS FROM THE BLUE BLAZE
In the longest plays from scrimmage in Conference USA, UTEP ranks first in 90+ yard plays (1), tied-first in 80+ yard plays (1), 70+ yards (4), 60+ yards (5), 40+ yards (12) and 30+ yards (25).

THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE IS SECOND IN FBS
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and is ranked second in FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense (25.4, 33-of-130). The Miners only yielded 4-of-12 against Jax State. Texas A&M leads the nation at 24.1 percent (27-112).

TOTAL DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in CUSA in total defense (362.6). Liberty leads CUSA (360.7).

FIRST-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in CUSA in first downs defense (19.7). The Miners' 177 first downs allowed are second in CUSA.

ORANGE SWARM SACK ATTACK
UTEP ranks second in Conference USA with 20 sacks. The Miners' 2.2 sacks per game rank second in CUSA.

TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP has tallied a Conference USA-best 66 tackles for loss. The Miners rank tied for 13^th in FBS in total TFL. Its 7.3 TFL per game is also first in CUSA and ranks eighth in FBS. Oklahoma leads the nation in total TFL (97) and TFL per game (10.8). UTEP's 249 yards lost on the TFL ranks 29^th in FBS.

PASSING DEFENSE
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and 35^th in FBS in passing defense (193.9).

CUSA LEADING TACKLER
LB Micah Davey leads Conference USA and is third in FBS in total tackles (107). Davey ranks third in FBS in tackles per game (11.9). Davey totaled 13 more tackles against Jax State. He has 76 in his last six games (12.7 per game). Davey's 52 solo tackles lead CUSA and are tied for third in FBS. For his college career, Davey has amassed 418 tackles in 37 games (11.3 per game).

DOUBLE-DIGIT MACHINE
Micah Davey registered his fifth consecutive double-digit tackle game after posting 13 against Jax State. The string started with 12 against LA Tech, 12 versus Liberty, 14 at Sam Houston, and a season-high 17 at Kennesaw State. Davey has six overall in 2025 and 24 in his collegiate career.

BARNES'S FIRST INT
S Solo Barnes registered his first interception in a UTEP uniform against Jax State. Overall, it's his third collegiate INT after picking off two passes while at Fayetteville State. It was Barnes's first pick since Nov. 2, 2024.

BOWSER'S FIRST START
DL Shakaun Bowser, the Miners' "Trench Warrior," made his first start against Jax State since joining the Miners. Bowser finished with three tackles.

CAREER DAY FOR BOTSFORD
P Noah Botsford booted a career-long 70-yard punt, while averaging a career-high 54.0 yards per punt against Jax State. His previous longest was 66 yards.

MORE ON THE 70-YARDER
Noah Botsford's 70-yard punt is tied for the 12^th-longest punt kicked this season. Botsford was the first UTEP punter since P Mike Ruggles's 73-yard punt on Nov. 16, 2013, against FIU.

BOOTING BOTSFORD
P Noah Botsford ranks second in Conference USA, averaging 46.5 yards per game. Botsford has tallied 2,184 yards on 47 boots. Botsford has a long punt of 70 yards with 14 placed inside the 20 and 14 50+ yard punts. Botsford averaged a career-high 54.0 yards on four punts (216 yards) against Jax State. It was the third time this season that Botsford averaged 50.0+ yards (vs. UT Martin, at Sam Houston).

UP NEXT
UTEP will host rival NM State in the 102^nd Battle of I-10 on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Sun Bowl Stadium. The Miners and Aggies are set to kick off at 1 p.m. MST. Saturday's contest is the Kids' Game. For tickets, call 915.747.UTEP or visit www.utepminers.com/tickets.

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.

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