UTEP Returns to the 915, Hosts Jax State and the Nation’s Leading Rusher in the Hall of Fame Game Saturday at 1 p.m.

11/6/2025 10:28:00 AM

GAME NOTES: UTEP | JSU | CUSA

EL PASO – Football is back on Saturdays, and UTEP will play in the Sun City for the first time in nearly a month, as the Miners will host co-league leading Jax State on Nov. 8. The Miners (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) and Gamecocks (5-3, 4-0 CUSA) are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Sun Bowl Stadium. Proud partner L&F Distributors/Bud Light is the contest sponsor of the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Game. The nostalgia will fill the air, as the 2005 UTEP football team will also be recognized.

The Miners' stout defense will face the Gamecocks' Cam Cook, the nation's leading rusher. UTEP's "Orange Swarm" total defense (350.9) ranks first in CUSA, while Cook is the only FBS player to hit quadruple numbers in rushing with 1,052 yards in eight games.

The 2005 Miners are returning to El Paso this weekend, and in their honor, ticket prices for the Miners' game versus Jax State will resemble those from 20 years ago. Fans can purchase $13 seats by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets.

The 2005 squad finished 8-4 and ended the season in the GMAC Bowl, completing a run of 16 victories in two years. UTEP posted a 5-3 mark in its first season in Conference USA to land in second place in the league's Western Division. The 2005 team was ranked as high as 24th in the country after winning eight of its first nine games.

The five newest members of the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be honored during Saturday's contest. This year's inductees include Emmitt Berry (track and field, 1975-78), Randy Culpepper (men's basketball, 2007-11), Ja'Net Esparza (soccer, 1996-99), Jordan Palmer (football, 2003-06) and Thomas Howard (football, 2002-05), who will be inducted posthumously.

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 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.

The Miners and Gamecocks are meeting for just the second time in the all-time series. Jax State defeated UTEP 17-14 to open the 2023 season, while it was the Gamecocks' first-ever CUSA game.

UTEP is coming off a 33-20 setback at Kennesaw State on Oct. 28, to drop four games under .500. The Owls opened the contest with a quick 14-0 lead after a scoop-and-score and punt return for a touchdown. The Miners rebounded and outscored KSU 17-2 to take a one-point edge. Skyler Locklear and emerging tight end Josh Schuchts got UTEP on the board with a 41-yard touchdown and Tanner Cragun connected on a 38-yard field goal to get within four points (14-10). Following a safety by the Owls to extend their lead to 16-10, Kenny Odom's 27-yard touchdown and Carlos Arreola's PAT gave the Miners a one-point advantage (17-16) early in the third quarter. Cragun followed with his second field goal, a 26-yarder that upped the lead to 20-16 late in the third. But KSU would go on to score the next 17 points to remain undefeated in league play while earning bowl eligibility.

Jax State rallied to defeat Middle Tennessee on Oct. 29, 24-21, in Murfreesboro to improve to 5-3 overall. The Gamecocks have won three straight contests while improving to 4-0 in conference play to stay tied with Kennesaw State in the standings. MTSU led 14-10 and 21-17 before Cook scored a three-yard touchdown – his 11^th of the season – to take the go-ahead 24-21 lead with 4:29 remaining in the game. JSU went 65 yards on seven plays that took 3:15 off the clock. Cook finished with 103 yards on 21 attempts (4.9 avg.) and added 21 yards on three receptions. Deondre Johnson, a 6-8 WR, took in four passes for 131 yards and two touchdown receptions – a 56-yarder and a 30-yard grab. Cook leads the nation at 131.5 rushing yards per game while his 11 rushing scores are tied for fifth in FBS. Overall, the Gamecocks lead CUSA and rank fifth in FBS, averaging 259.1 rushing yards per game. Jax State's 22 rushing scores rank tied for 14^th in the nation. Jax State ranks second in CUSA in points per game (29.9) and ranks third in total offense (409.0). In CUSA, JSU ranks sixth in total defense (379.6) and seventh in scoring defense (25.9).

UTEP (2-6, 1-3) vs. Jax State (5-3, 4-0)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
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

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

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Gamecocks will be streamed on ESPN+ with Andy Morgan (play-by-play) and Ed Stansbury (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 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. JAX STATE
The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 1-0. UTEP and Jax State first met on Aug. 26, 2023, in the season opener in Jacksonville, Ala., with the Gamecocks coming out on top 17-14. Jax State jumped out to a 10-0 lead; however, RB Deion Hankins's one-yard touchdown got the Miners within three points, but Malik Jackson's seven-yard score extended the score to 17-7 at the midway point of the third quarter. QB Gavin Hardison found WR Kelly Akharaiyi for a 32-yard touchdown pass to get within three points with just over 12 minutes to play in the game, but couldn't get any more points on the board.

ABOUT JAX STATE
The Gamecocks won their third straight game after rallying to defeat Middle Tennessee 24-21 on Oct. 29 in Murfreesboro, and improved to 4-0 in CUSA play and 5-3 overall. The nation's leading rusher, Cam Cook, gained 103 yards and scored his 11^th rushing touchdown against the Blue Raiders. MTSU had leads of 14-7 and 21-17 before Cook's three-yard score gave JSU the go-ahead lead with 4:29 to play. Jax State opened the campaign with a 17-10 loss at UCF on Aug. 28, but bounced back to defeat Liberty 34-24 for its first league win in 2025. Jax State had two losses in a three-game stretch, falling at Georgia Southern 41-34 on Sept. 13, and at Southern Miss 42-25 on Sept. 27. The Gamecocks have reeled off four consecutive wins, winning at Sam Houston 29-27 on Oct. 9, defeating Delaware 38-25 on Oct. 15, and getting a 'W' at MTSU. Cook leads the nation with 1,052 yards on 181 carries (5.8 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. He's the only rusher to eclipse 1,000 yards so far, while his 131.5 yards per game is first in FBS. Jax State averages 29.9 points per game to go along with 409.0 total offense per game. The defense yields 25.9 points per game and gives up 379.6 yards per game. WR Brock Rechsteiner leads the team in receptions (25), receiving yards (305) and receiving touchdowns (four). QB Caden Creel is second on the team with 469 yards on the ground and has rushed for three touchdowns. Creel has also thrown for 525 yards (52-77) and three scores.

MORE ON THE 2005 SQUAD
Highlights from the 2005 season included a sweep of I-10 rivals NM State and New Mexico, a thrilling 44-41, double overtime win over Houston in UTEP's first-ever CUSA game at the Sun Bowl, and a 41-38 conquest of Tulsa, which finished first in CUSA's Western Division. The 2005 Miners were stellar in all facets, ranking ninth in the country in passing offense (300.6 ypg), 23rd in tackles for losses (7.3 avg.) and 24th in net punting (36.1 avg.).

COMMEMORATING THOMAS HOWARD
The Miners will wear a helmet sticker memorializing Howard, who passed away at the age of 30 in 2013, on Saturday.

2005 MEMBERS' RETURN
Over 30 members of the 2005 team, including head coach Mike Price, will be in the stadium and will be recognized on-field at Saturday's game. Expected to attend Saturday's game, listed alphabetically, are Mike Aguayo, Tony Barnes, Troy Collavo, Chris Day, Sir James Delgardo, Quintin Demps, Robby Felix, Daniel Garcia, Jose Garcia, Jacob Gonzales, Dawn Hearn (head trainer), Josh House, Jamar Hunt, Aaron King, Gabe Macias, Chris Marrow, Jason McQuay, Colby Meek, James Olalekan, Jordan Palmer, Aaron Price (quarterbacks/kickers coach), Mike Price (head coach), Reagan Schneider, Jake Sears, Ty Stout, David Sutton, Marcus Thomas, Bryant Tisdale, Jordan Tubig, Justin Watson and Kyle Wright.

NOTES ON THE UTEP ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF '25
Emmitt Berry (track and field, 1975-78): was the 1976 NCAA Indoor champion. Berry was also a four-time Western Athletic Conference champion (weight throw indoors 1978, hammer outdoors 1976, 1977 & 1978). He was a member of five NCAA championship teams and eight WAC championship teams.

Randy Culpepper (men's basketball, 2007-11): racked up 2,338 points, making him the no. 2 scorer in the school record book. He was the 2010 Conference USA Player of the Year and the 2008 Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year. He is UTEP's all-time leader for three-point field goals made (318), and ranks second in field goals made (782) and fourth in free throws made (456).

Ja'Net Esparza (soccer, 1996-99): is one of two soccer players at the school to earn all-conference accolades in all four years. Esparza was first-team All-WAC in 1996, 1997 and 1999, while landing on the second team in 1998. She was also the 1996 WAC Mountain Division Freshman of the Year.

Thomas Howard (football, 2002-05): came to UTEP as a 190-pound walk-on defensive back, but developed into a 240-pound linebacker and was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He posted 34 tackles for losses (fifth in school history) and 13.0 sacks (tied for 10th) in a Miner uniform. A three-year starter at UTEP, he played eight years in the NFL prior to his untimely passing at age 30.

Jordan Palmer (football, 2003-06): concluded his career as UTEP's record-holder in every passing and total offense category. He currently ranks no. 1 in passing efficiency (136.26), completion percentage (.596), and 300-yard passing games (16); he is no. 2 in total offense (11,041 yards), total offense yards per game (240.0), touchdowns responsible for (95), passing yards (11,084), passing yards per game (241.0) and touchdown passes (88).

RUNNING MAN
QB Skyler Locklear rushed for a career-high 77 yards on a career-most 23 attempts at Kennesaw State. Locklear has rushed for 183 yards in the last three games (61.0 avg.) after gaining 48 yards at Sam Houston and 58 the week prior against Liberty. Overall, Locklear has gained 226 yards on 48 attempts (4.7 avg.), ranking second on the team. Locklear is averaging 45.2 rushing yards per game.

DUAL THREAT
Skyler Locklear has done it with his feet and arm as the redshirt junior threw two touchdowns at Kennesaw State. It was the third time in his career that Locklear threw two or more touchdowns in a single game. He's thrown four touchdown passes in the last two games after tossing two at Sam Houston the week before. Locklear threw a career-high four touchdowns against KSU last season. Overall, Locklear has thrown for 560 yards on 49-of-81 passing (60.5 percent) with five touchdowns and four picks in five games played (three starts).

TOUCHDOWNS ACCOUNTED FOR
Skyler Locklear has accounted for eight touchdowns so far (5 TD passes, 3 TD rushes).

SCHUCHTS'S EMERGENCE
TE Josh Schuchts registered a career-high 41 yards on two catches with a touchdown at Kennesaw State. Schuchts hauled in a career-long 41-yard touchdown reception against the Owls to get the Miners on the board. Schuchts has hauled in 10 receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns since playing in his first collegiate game action on Sept. 27, against LA Tech. Schuchts has started in three of four games played after missing all of 2024 and the first four games in 2025.

KENNY IS A CATCH
Kenny Odom leads CUSA in receptions per game (6.0) and is tied for second in the league lead with 42 receptions. Odom's team-high 418 receiving yards rank tied for eighth in CUSA. Odom is tied for third in the league with four touchdown receptions. Odom ranks tied for 19^th in the nation in receptions per game.

BIG PLAY WONDAME
WR Wondame Davis Jr. leads CUSA and ranks 11^th in FBS, averaging  19.4 yards per reception. Davis Jr.'s three touchdown receptions rank tied for seventh in the conference. Overall, Davis Jr. has tallied 291 yards on only 15 receptions.

BALL SECURITY
UTEP has lost only three fumbles, ranking tied for 28^th in FBS and tied first in Conference USA. The Miners have only combined for five total fumbles, ranking tied for ninth 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 (11) and 30+ yards (22).

THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks first in Conference USA and is ranked third in FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense (24.6, 29-of-118). The Miners only yielded 3-of-15 at Kennesaw State. Texas A&M leads the nation at 22.2 percent (22-99).

TOTAL DEFENSE
UTEP ranks first in CUSA and 55^th nationally in total defense (350.9).

FIRST-DOWN DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in CUSA and is tied for 40^th nationally in first downs defense (154).

ORANGE SWARM SACK ATTACK
UTEP leads Conference USA and ranks tied for 38^th in FBS with 20 sacks. The Miners' 2.5 sacks per game lead the conference and rank tied for 30^th nationally.

TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
UTEP has tallied a Conference USA-best 62 tackles for loss. The Miners rank tied for 16^th in FBS in total TFL. Its 7.8 TFL per game is also first in CUSA and ranks sixth in FBS. Oklahoma leads the nation in total TFL (97) and TFL per game (10.8). UTEP's 231 yards lost on the TFL ranks 24^th in FBS.

PASSING DEFENSE
UTEP ranks second in Conference USA and 34^th in FBS in passing defense (195.5).

MOST IN A UTEP UNIFORM
LB Micah Davey amassed a season-high 17 tackles at Kennesaw State. It's the most Davey has notched in the Orange and Blue. Davey's collegiate career best is 21 (Nov. 18, 2023 at Lamar) while playing at McNeese State.

400-TACKLE CLUB
Micah Davey racked up 17 tackles at Kennesaw State, giving the linebacker 405 tackles in his collegiate career. Davey tallied 313 while playing at McNeese State in 29 career games (2022-24).

CUSA LEADING TACKLER
Micah Davey leads Conference USA and is tied fifth in FBS in total tackles (94). Davey ranks third in FBS in tackles per game (11.8). Davey totaled a season-most 17 tackles at Kennesaw State. He had 14 tackles at Sam Houston and 63 in his last five games (12.6 per game). Davey's 45 solo tackles lead CUSA and is tied for seventh in FBS. For his college career, Davey has amassed 405 tackles in 36 games (11.3 per game).

WILSON'S FIRST INT
LB Jayden Wilson registered his first collegiate interception at Kennesaw State.

MORE ON JAYDEN
Jayden Wilson has started the last five games since filling in for LB Joshua Ruldolph, who's out for the season. Wilson ranks second on the team and tied for seventh in CUSA with 62 tackles after tallying nine at KSU. Wilson also added his second forced fumble of the season. Wilson ranks tied for second in CUSA and is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles.

KD, A FORCE INSIDE
DT KD Johnson has tallied 42 tackles, ranking sixth on the defense and 29^th in CUSA. Johnson leads all CUSA interior defensive linemen in tackles. Johnson surpassed his season career best of 40 tackles in 2024. In 32 career games, Johnson has tallied 104 tackles at UTEP. He came to El Paso with 86 tackles in two seasons at Kilgore College (2021, 2022).

CONTENT ISLAND
CB Justin Content has impressed in his second season, starting in seven of eight games. Content tallied a career-high two pass breakups at Kennesaw State. He's tied for the team lead with four breakups and ranks tied for ninth in CUSA. Content has tallied 39 tackles (18 solo) with 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception and a quarterback hurry. He amassed a career-high 13 tackles and posted his first career INT against LA Tech earlier this season.

BOOTING BOTSFORD
P Noah Botsford ranks third in Conference USA, averaging 45.8 yards per game. Botsford has tallied 1,968 yards on 43 boots. Botsford has a long punt of 66 yards with 11 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 ties his career best.

UP NEXT
UTEP will hit the road to play at Missouri State in the Miners' first-ever trip to the "Show Me State". The Miners and Bears will kick off at 1 p.m. MST/2 CT at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield. The contest can be heard on 95.5 KLAQ FM and will be streamed on ESPN+. This will mark the first meeting between UTEP and Missouri 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.

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