PREVIEW: UTEP looks to bounce back vs. LA Tech

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — It’s a big week for UTEP football as the Miners prepare for a Conference USA game against Louisiana Tech at the Sun Bowl on Saturday night.

This Saturday marks UTEP’s 93rd Homecoming game and Conference USA opener.

The Miners (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) will face one of the top teams in the conference: Louisiana Tech.

UTEP enters the weekend looking to bounce back after a tough 31-25 loss to Louisiana Monroe at the Sun Bowl. Despite a late comeback push, the Miners came up short, dropping their third game of the season.

Now, the road doesn’t get any easier.

Louisiana Tech is off to a strong start in 2025, with its only loss coming against No. 3 LSU — a game in which the Bulldogs held the Tigers to just 23 points, an impressive showing by the Bulldogs.

Statistically, Louisiana Tech is among the most dominant defensive teams in the conference. They currently lead CUSA in both scoring defense and rushing defense — two areas where UTEP has struggled in.

It’s a tall task for the Miners, who are not only looking for redemption after last week’s loss but hoping to start conference play on the right foot.

“That’s the softest I’ve ever seen us play. That was a first. At some points, I didn’t know who we are, you know?” UTEP football head coach Scotty Walden said. “I told the kids — our fans deserve, when they come to the Sun Bowl, regardless of result— like, regardless of result— they deserve to see a team that plays extremely physical and extremely hard.”

“It simply wasn’t good enough. So, I think Saturday is going to be a big focus on where this team is at and if we are going to respond,” UTEP junior linebacker Jayden Wilson said. “So just being able to focus on LA Tech and disregard what happened last Saturday, learn from it, and just get better from here on out.”

If UTEP wants a shot at taking down Louisiana Tech this weekend, the offense will need to find another gear — and fast.

The Miners’ run game has struggled out of the gate, averaging just 95.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 124th in the FBS. That lack of production on the ground has put extra pressure on the passing game.

At quarterback, Malachi Nelson continues to show flashes of promise. The freshman is averaging 267.2 passing yards per game, good for 24th in the nation. So far, he’s completed 82 of 142 passes, with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

On defense, UTEP leads CUSA and is ranked ninth in FBS in 3rd-down conversion percentage (23.6).

UTEP will be without two key defensive contributors for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Scotty Walden confirmed after the Miners’ loss to ULM that linebackers Joshua Rudolph and Garrett Hawkins are both out for the year. Walden said both players suffered serious injuries during UTEP’s Week 3 matchup against nationally ranked Texas.

The injury news doesn’t stop there.

Walden also said Monday that wide receiver Kenny Odom will be a game-time decision this weekend. Odom missed last week’s game against ULM.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game between LA Tech and UTEP at the Sun Bowl is at 7:00 p.m. MT.

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