Miners and Aggies Clash in the 102nd Battle of I-10 on Senior Day

11/20/2025 5:40:00 PM

GAME NOTES: UTEP | NM STATE | CUSA

EL PASO – The Battle of I-10 is Saturday, as UTEP and NM State collide in the 102^nd meeting in one of the longest ongoing rivalries. The Miners (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA) and Aggies (3-7, 1-5 CUSA) are set for a 1 p.m. MST kickoff in the Sun Bowl. Proud partner GECU is Saturday's game sponsor on Senior Day, while it's also the Kids' Game. Twenty-six UTEP football seniors will be honored before the battle.

The rivalry will be aired on 600 ESPN El Paso. "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+ with Andy Morgan and Ed Stansbury in the booth, and Paige Wood roaming the sidelines.

Seniors Solo Barnes, Marcell Blocker, Noah Botsford, Joe Bowman, Neil Campbell, Jackson Cleaver, Micah Davey, Ivan Escobar, Yessman Green, Cole Gustafson, Ashaad Hall, Joshua Hancock, Joseph Immediato, KD Johnson, Tyler Jones, Cade McConnell, Ashton Nickelberry, Joshua Rudolph, Lantz Russell, Tyler Scott, Trevon Tate, Donte Thompson, Jaquan Toney, Caleb Walker, Eric Willis III, and Hahsaun Wilson will be recognized before kickoff.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available at www.utepminers.com/tickets, by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, or visiting the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office (500 W. University Ave., 79968.

Last season, UTEP rallied from down 24-7 to defeat NM State 42-35 to close out 2024. The Miners will look to keep the Silver Spade and Brass Spittoon in the 915 as the rivalry will be on hold for at least a year due to UTEP changing conferences. UTEP leads the overall series 60-39-2, including 39-18-1 in El Paso, and 14-6 in the last 20 meetings.

This season, both squads hope to stop their respective losing streaks. UTEP is coming off a 38-24 loss at Missouri State on Nov. 15, in Springfield, losing its third straight game. The Miners tied the game at 24-24 during a 17-point third quarter, after taking a 24-7 deficit into the locker room at the half. Skyler Locklear's two rushing touchdowns led the charge during the rally. Locklear's pair of scores upped his season total to seven rushing touchdowns, tying a 51-year-old program record. Overall, Locklear has accounted for 14 touchdowns, including 12 in the last four games. Yessman Green also blocked a punt that was recovered for a touchdown by Ekow Taylor that tied the game late in the third quarter. It was the first punt block for a score since 2016 and the first on the road since 2011. Micah Davey and KD Johnson continued their defensive prowess against the Bear. Davey, CUSA's leading tackler,  racked up 12 more tackles, ballooning his total to 119. Davey ranks second in the FBS in total tackles and tackles per game (11.9). Johnson tied his career best with 2.0 sacks and continues to lead all CUSA NT/DTs with 47 tackles.

NM State is on a five-game losing streak after losing at no. 21/20 Tennessee 42-9 on Nov. 15. The Aggies, despite their struggles, have been one of the national leaders in forcing turnovers. NM State is ranked tied for seventh in FBS with 14 interceptions and tied for 13^th with eight recovered fumbles. Safety Bernock Iya is tied for fourth in the league with four interceptions. Safety Naeten Mitchell is tied for fifth with three picks. Aggies' quarterback Logan Fife ranks fourth in CUSA in passing yards per game (224.0), third in passing yards (2,240), third in completions (204), and second in pass attempts (362). Kadarius Calloway leads NM State with 332 rushing yards

UTEP (2-8, 1-5) vs. NM State (3-7, 1-5)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 22
Time: 1 p.m. MST
Location: El Paso, Texas
Venue: Sun Bowl Stadium (45,971)
X Updated: @UTEPFB

STREAM: ESPN+
PxP: Andy Morgan
Analyst: Ed Stansbury
Sideline: Paige Wood

Radio: 600 ESPN
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The action returns to "The Home of UTEP Football" 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 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 Miners and Aggies will be streamed on ESPN+ with Andy Morgan (PxP), Ed Stansbury (analysis), and Paige Wood (sideline). The contest can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. NM STATE
UTEP leads the all-time rivalry 60-39-2. The Miners also lead 39-18-1 all-time in El Paso. The Miners are 14-6 in the last 20 meetings. UTEP is 5-2 in the Sun Bowl since 2010, losing in El Paso during the 2018 and 2023 seasons. Last year, UTEP rallied from 17 points down (24-7) to beat NM State, 42-35, in Las Cruces on Nov. 30, 2024. DE Bryton Thompson scored two defensive touchdowns; MB Kam Thomas returned a punt 93 yards for a score and RB Jevon Jackson had a pair of rushing TDs. The last victory in the Sun Bowl by the Miners was in 2022. After taking a double-digit lead into halftime, UTEP won 20-13 in Sun Bowl Stadium on Sept. 10, 2022. UTEP's eight-game winning streak from 2009 to 2016 by the Miners is the longest of the series. The two programs first met on Oct. 24, 1914, in Las Cruces, with the Aggies coming out on top 19-0. NMSU won the 1915 meeting 30-0, while the Miners' first victory was a 7-6 outcome in 1916. The Aggies' longest win streak of the series was five games from 1920 to 1924 before tying 6-6 in 1925. The Miners won 92-7 in 1948 (most points by UTEP in the series), while the Aggies' top score was 64 during a shutout in 1922.

THE LAST MEETING
DE Bryton Thompson scored two defensive touchdowns on fumble returns, MB Kam Thomas returned a punt 93 yards for a score and RB Jevon Jackson had a pair of rushing TDs as UTEP rallied from 17 points down to blitz NM State, 42-35, in the 101^st Battle of I-10 in Aggie Memorial Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024. The UTEP defense added a season-high eight sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and 10 tackles for loss. Thompson is the first Miner to score two defensive touchdowns in the same game in the modern era of football, while he became the first Miner since DB Quinten Demps (2007) to score a pair of defensive touchdowns in the same season. Thomas's 93-yard punt return for a touchdown tied a school record (Reggie Matthews in 1966 vs. San Jose State, 1967 vs. UCSB). Thomas's TD extended UTEP's lead to 11 points early in the fourth quarter. On top of his wefense TD return, Thomas – after dropping three balls early in the contest – led the Miners with 90 yards on four receptions, including a collegiate career-long 69-yard catch. Jackson led the rushing attack with 79 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. The first was a two-yard plunge that started UTEP's scoring run at the 10:13 mark of the second quarter to make the score 24-14, while the second TD was on a three-yard dash that got the Miners within three points (24-21) at the 10:41 mark of the third quarter. WR Kenny Odom finished with 29 yards on two receptions, but his second catch was a 30-yard touchdown reception that gave the Miners the go-ahead 28-24 lead late in the third. QB Skyler Locklearfinished with 177 passing yards and a TD.

ABOUT NM STATE
The Aggies have lost five consecutive games following their 42-9 loss at No. 21/20 Tennessee on Nov. 15. NM State is 3-7 overall and 1-5 in CUSA play, defeating Sam Houston 37-10 on Oct. 2. Following its win over the Bearkats, NM State has lost its last four conference contests – falling at Liberty 30-27 (Oct. 14), against Missouri State 24-17 in overtime (Oct. 22), at WKU 35-16 (Nov. 1) and against Kennesaw State 24-21 (Nov. 8). Quarterback Logan Fife has more one of the more prolific passers in CUSA, ranking second in pass attempts (362), and third in passing yards (2,240) and completions (204). Overall, Fife has thrown 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and is completing 56.4 percent of his passes. Running back Kadarius Calloway leads the team with 332 yards and three rushing scores. Defensively, the Aggies rank second in CUSA with 14 interceptions. Safety Bernock Iya ranks tied for first in CUSA with four interceptions, while fellow safety Naeten Mitchell is tied for fifth with three picks. Mitchell has tallied 86 yards in INT returns along with a touchdown.

THANK YOU, SENIORS!
UTEP fans will see 26 seniors play their last game in Sun Bowl Stadium. Those Miners are S Solo Barnes, CB Marcell Blocker, P Noah Botsford, K Joe Bowman, CB Neil Campbell, K Jackson Cleaver, LB Micah Davey, C Ivan Escobar, CB Yessman Green, DT Cole Gustafson, DL Ashaad Hall, LS Joshua Hancock, OL Joseph Immediato, DT KD Johnson, S Tyler Jones, QB Cade McConnell, WR Ashton Nickelberry, LB Joshua Rudolph, S Lantz Russell, DL Tyler Scott, WR Trevon Tate, Spur Donte Thompson, OL Jaquan Toney, S Caleb Walker, WR Eric Willis III, and RB Hahsaun Wilson.

MOST RUSHING TD'S BY UTEP QB IN 51 YEARS
QB Skyler Locklear, after rushing for two more touchdowns, has tied a school record for the most rushing scores in a single season by a UTEP quarterback with seven in 2025. QB Bobby McKinley set the record with seven rushing touchdowns during the 1974 season.

RUNNING MAN
Skyler Locklear has rushed for 321 yards in the last five games (64.2 avg.), including a career-high 82 yards on 17 attempts against Jax State on Nov. 8. Overall, Locklear has gained a team-high 364 yards on 81 attempts (4.5 avg.). Locklear is averaging 52.0 rushing yards per game. Locklear ranks 15^th overall in CUSA rushing yards. Locklear's seven rushing touchdowns lead UTEP and rank seventh in CUSA.

LEADING RUSHER
Skyler Locklear leads the Miners with 364 yards rushing. The last UTEP QB to lead the team in rushing was Shawn Gray in 1992 with 402 yards rushing.

MOST RUSH YARDS BY A UTEP QB IN SIX YEARS
Skyler Locklear's 364 yards rushing are the most by a UTEP QB since Kai Locksley went for 535 yards in 2019.

THIRD TIME IN 2025
Skyler Locklear rushed for two touchdowns at Missouri State, making it the third time in 2025 he's rushed for a pair in a game. Locklear has rushed for four touchdowns in the last two games and six TDs in three of the previous four contests.

TOUCHDOWNS ACCOUNTED FOR
Skyler Locklear has accounted for 14 touchdowns so far (7 TD passes, 7 TD rushes). Locklear has accounted for 12 touchdowns (6 TD passes, 6 TD rushes) in the last four games.

THIRD IN THE NATION
Wondame Davis Jr. ranks third in the nation, averaging 22.1 yards per reception. Davis Jr. has 465 yards on 21 receptions.

CAMPBELL'S LONG CATCH
WR Rafeald Campbell hauled in a career-long 21-yard catch at Missouri State. Campbell, a redshirt freshman seeing more playing time, has 27 yards on two catches in 2025.

FIRST CATCH FOR JORDAN
TE Jordan Andrus played in his second collegiate game at Missouri State. The true freshman tallied a nine-yard catch.

THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE IS THIRD IN FBS
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and is ranked third in FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense (27.1, 39-of-144). Texas A&M leads the nation at 24.4 percent (31-127).

FIRST-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks third in CUSA in first downs defense (20.4). The Miners' 204 first downs allowed are third in CUSA.

ORANGE SWARM SACK ATTACK
UTEP is tied for the lead in Conference USA with 25 sacks. The Miners' 2.5 sacks per game rank tied for first in CUSA. The Miners ranks tied for 26^th in FBS.

TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP has tallied a Conference USA-best 78 tackles for loss after racking up 12 TFL, tying a season high. The Miners rank tied for sixth in FBS in total TFL. Its 7.8 TFL per game is also first in CUSA and ranks fifth in FBS. Oklahoma leads the nation in total TFL (102) and TFL per game (10.2). UTEP's 292 yards lost on the TFL ranks 16^th in FBS.

NATIONAL LEADER
LB Micah Davey is the national leader with 60 solo tackles. UNI's Quinn Urwiler and Northwestern's Robert Fitzgerald are tied for second with 59 solo stops each.

CUSA LEADING TACKLER; #2 IN FBS
Micah Davey leads Conference USA and is second in FBS in total tackles (119). Davey ranks second in FBS in tackles per game (11.9). Davey totaled 12 more tackles at Missouri State. He has 88 in his last seven games (12.6 per game). Davey's 60 solo tackles lead FBS. For his college career, Davey has amassed 430 tackles in 38 games (11.3 per game).

DOUBLE-DIGIT MACHINE
Micah Davey registered his sixth consecutive double-digit tackle game after posting 12 at Missouri State. The string started with 12 against LA Tech, 12 versus Liberty, 14 at Sam Houston, a season-high 17 at Kennesaw State, and 13 against Jax State. Davey has seven overall in 2025 and 25 in his collegiate career.

KD GETTING AFTER THE QB
DT KD Johnson tied his career best with 2.0 sacks at Missouri State. Johnson has 2.5 sacks, ranking tied for 19^th in CUSA. Johnson and Delaware DT Keyshawn Hunter (2.5 sacks) are the sack leaders for all CUSA defensive tackles/nose tackles.

A FORCE INSIDE
DT KD Johnson has 47 tackles in 2025, ranking tied sixth on the team and tied for 39^th in the CUSA. Johnson leads all CUSA DT/NTs in tackles. Johnson has added 9.5 tackles for loss, ranking tied for second in CUSA and leading all CUSA DT/NTs. Johnson, starting in 22 of 34 career games played, has racked up 109 tackles (45 solo) with 18.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and two pass breakups.

EAZY-E
Bandit Udoka Ezeani registered his first sack in five weeks, posting his fifth of the season at Missouri State. Overall, Ezeani ranks tied for fifth in CUSA with 5.0 sacks.

MORE ON UDOKA
Udoka Ezeani tallied six tackles with a sack (10 yards) and a tackle for loss at Missouri State. Ezeani ranks tied for first in CUSA with 10.0 TFL. He's added 37 tackles, a breakup, four quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. Ezeani ranks tied for fourth in CUSA in forced fumbles.

SOLO BARNES WITH SOLO STOPS
S Solo Barnes registered seven tackles at Missouri State, all of which were solo stops. Barnes ranks fourth in the team with 57 total tackles and ranks second with 31 solo tackles.

9 YEARS SINCE THAT HAPPENED
CB Yessman Green blocked a punt, and Bandit Ekow Taylor recovered the ball for a touchdown at Missouri State. It was the first blocked punt for a score since Nov. 26, 2016, against North Texas, when DaShone Smith came up with the block and Brandon Moss recovered it for a TD. It was the first punt block for a score on the road since Oct. 15, 2011, at Tulane when Travaun Nixon blocked a punt and Adrian James recovered for a TD.

EKOW FINALLY GETS INTO THE END ZONE
Bandit Ekow Taylor recovered a blocked punt for his first collegiate touchdown at Missouri State. Taylor came close at Sam Houston when he recovered a fumble at the UTEP 30 and returned 63 yards, coming up seven yards short of a TD.

CAREER-LONG PUNT RETURN
WR Nik Henry returned a punt 41 yards, a career-long return at Missouri State for the freshman. It's the longest punt return by any Miner in 2025. Henry has added 53 yards on six kickoff returns and two tackles on special teams.

UP NEXT
UTEP will close out the 2025 season and year two of the Scotty Walden era at new Conference USA member Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Miners and Fightin' Blue Hens will kick off at 11 a.m. MT/1 ET in Delaware Football Stadium in Newark. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard on "The Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso.

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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