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The UTEP Miners travel to the East Coast on Wednesday night to take on the Florida International Golden Panthers in Conference-USA action. The Miners come in with a record of just 1-5, including a 0-2 record in conference play. FIU comes into this matchup at 3-3 overall but also winless in conference play at 0-2. The opening kick is slated for 7:30 PM EST.
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UTEP fell to 1-5 on the season with a 24-10 home loss to La Tech. The loss ended a 14-game home winning streak against the Bulldogs. UTEP fell behind early thanks to two early touchdowns, including a punt return for a touchdown and were never able to fully recover. The Miners are now 0-2 in conference play this season.
“(It was) a slow start for us, giving up the big play. (It was) second and long, and they hit us on a slant over the middle of the field, which kind of shocked everybody right there from the get-go of the game,” UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel said. “We felt like we had a good chance to get a stop there and then have them punt in the wind because we deferred and won the toss. There was a little bit of wind, and it would've been a factor on the punt. They got the big play there, and now we're put in a position where you're starting new quarterbacks. The very first time they get to touch the ball, they're down 7-0. We don't convert on that first drive, and now we punt, and they take it back for a touchdown. Before you blink, it's 14-0. When you're starting young quarterbacks, that's not a great situation for them to be put into.”
Offensively, the Miners were led by a ground game that pounded out 220 yards. Running back Deion Hankins led the way with 83 yards rushing on 15 carries. The Miners turned to backup quarterback Kevin Hurley, making his first career start. He was just 4-of-14 for 44 yards through the air. He did rush for 48 yards on 12 carries in the loss. Cade McConnell also saw time under center and was just 4-of-11 for 44 yards. Both Hurley and McConnell left the game with injuries putting third-string quarterback Jake McNamara into the game. He was 1-of-2 for 9 yards in the game but did have the team's lone touchdown on a two-yard scamper. UTEP finished with 325 yards of total offense, just 101 through the air, and tu rned the ball over once on a fumble.
Defensively, the Miners allowed just 17 points, with one score coming on the punt return. They gave up 294 yards of offense and just over 150 through the air. The Miners had five tackles for loss in the game including two sacks. They did not force any turnovers.
UTEP comes into this matchup looking for their first Conference-USA win of the season and just second overall. They are ranked 102nd in the country in total offense. They are 90th rushing the football and 89th throwing the football. They have been abysmal in the red zone, ranking 112th in red zone offense efficiency. Defensively, the Miners are ranked 82nd in the country overall. They are 125th against the run thus far but have been solid against the pass, ranking 18th in the nation. They have not, however, been very good in the red zone on defense either. UTEP checks in ranked 125th in the country in red zone defense. < /p>
Not surprisingly, with a record of 1-5, UTEP has struggled with turnovers. They are ranked 131st in the country in turnover differential. They have, however, not hurt themselves with penalties. They are ranked 46th in the country in penalties per game.
Injury Report: QB Gavin Hardison (arm), QB Kevin Hurley (concussion), and QB Jake McNamara (concusion) are questionable. DB Trez Moore (undisclosed), DL Tevita Tafuna (undisclosed), DE Bryton Thompson (undisclosed), LB Nate Dyman (undisclosed) and TE Judah Ezinwa (undisclosed) are all out.
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