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Raymond Moore III
30
Winner Nevada NEV 2-3 , 1-1
13
UTEP TEP 1-5 , 0-2
Winner
Nevada NEV
2-3 , 1-1
30
Final
13
UTEP TEP
1-5 , 0-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NEV Nevada 7 6 10 7 30
TEP UTEP 0 7 0 6 13

Game Recap: Football |

UTEP Falls to Nevada, 30-13, Saturday Night


GAME BOOK | POSTGAME NOTES

EL PASO – Nevada rushed for 274 yards and controlled possession for more than 35 minutes as the Wolf Pack defeated UTEP, 30-13, on Saturday evening at the Sun Bowl. UTEP moved to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in Mountain West play, while Nevada improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in league action. 
 
Raymond Moore III accounted for 197 yards of total offense, passing for 132 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 65 rushing yards. He connected with Jaden Smith for a 16-yard touchdown in the second quarter and found Cash Cheeks for an 8-yard score late in the fourth quarter. 
 
"Obviously, we're disappointed with the outcome. I thought our kids competed hard and battled all night, but we weren't consistent enough to capitalize on our opportunities," third-year UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said. "It was a one-possession game at halftime, and I felt the third quarter was where the momentum shifted. We need to look at the film, identify the missed assignments and mistakes, and correct them."
 
Nevada struck first midway through the opening quarter when Dominic Kelley hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Carter Jones to cap a short four-play, 43-yard drive and give the Wolf Pack a 7-0 lead. 
 
After a 33-yard field goal by Joe McFadden extended the margin to 10-0 in the second quarter, the Miners capitalized on a Nevada turnover deep in Wolf Pack territory. Starting at the Nevada 13-yard line, UTEP needed just three plays before Moore III connected with Smith on a 16-yard scoring strike, trimming the deficit to 10-7 with 3:29 left before halftime. It was Smith's first receiving touchdown as a Miner and first since Nov. 4, 2023, while playing at EKU against Austin Peay.
 
Nevada responded with a late drive that resulted in McFadden's 26-yard field goal, taking a 13-7 advantage into the locker room. 
 
The Wolf Pack added to their lead in the third quarter with a 45-yard field goal before Herschel Turner broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds remaining in the period, stretching Nevada's lead to 23-7. Turner finished with 192 rushing yards on 19 carries. 
 
Nevada put the game away early in the fourth quarter on a six-yard touchdown run by Kelley following a 12-play, 70-yard drive that consumed more than six minutes of clock. 
The Miners answered with an impressive 10-play, 75-yard drive late in regulation. Moore III completed passes of 23 and 17 yards before finding Cheeks in the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown with 1:07 to play. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, and Nevada secured the 30-13 win. 
 
"There were some positives. I thought our defense showed flashes, created havoc in the backfield, and made some impactful plays, including the takeaway that set up a touchdown," Walden said. "But we have to be more consistent on all three phases to put together a complete game."
 
Smith led UTEP's receivers with four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, while Kam Thomas added six receptions for 32 yards. Cash Cheeks contributed 31 receiving yards and a score on two catches. 
 
Defensively, Isaiah Bogerty recorded a game-high and career-best 15 tackles, while Kode Lowe added a career-high14 stops and Jayden Wilson finished with 12 tackles. Sterling Miles and Leander Parrish each registered a sack, and Dycin Davis recovered a Nevada fumble that led to UTEP's first touchdown. 
 
"I do believe this team is improving, and we're closer than people may realize," Walden said. "That said, nobody in this program is going to accept losing, failure, or mediocrity. The response is simple: get back to work, learn from our mistakes, and prepare for San José State."
 
Nevada outgained UTEP 376-211 and held a 21-9 advantage in first downs. The Wolf Pack also converted 4-of-13 third-down attempts, while the Miners were limited to 1-of-14 on third down. 
 
"I'm incredibly grateful to our fans and students for their support tonight," Walden said. "We have to play better at home and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. We'll evaluate the film, address what went wrong, and get ready for next week's challenge."
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will host its second consecutive Mountain West game when San José State comes to the Sun Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Miners and Spartans will kick off at 7 p.m. MDT and will be streamed on MW+. The game sponsor is GECU, while Rally Towels will be the giveaway. Tickets are available starting at $20 by visiting www.utepminers.com/tickets, calling 915.747.UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, or by visiting the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office (500 W. University Ave., 79968).
 
 
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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