EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — UTEP (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) football got back in the win column Wednesday night, defeating Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4 CUSA) 35-17 on at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX to snap a four-game losing streak and pick up its first FBS win of the season. Quarterback Skyler Locklear, making his second […]
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — UTEP (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) football got back in the win column Wednesday night, defeating Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4 CUSA) 35-17 on at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX to snap a four-game losing streak and pick up its first FBS win of the season.
Quarterback Skyler Locklear, making his second straight start in place of Malachi Nelson, delivered his most efficient outing as a Miner — completing 21-of-26 passes for 236 yards and three total touchdowns.
Running back Ashten Emory added a career-high 96 rushing yards, including a 34-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
The Miners entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 21-17 lead but pulled away with back-to-back scoring drives. Locklear connected with Kenny Odom on a 20-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-17, then Emory iced the game minutes later after a Bearkats turnover on downs.
UTEP posted 411 total yards to Sam Houston’s 398 but dominated the second half, outgaining the Bearkats 236-146 and outscoring them 21-7.
Sam Houston was without its starting QB Hunter Watson for the second half. He left the game at halftime, an injury that really hurt Sam Houston’s chances at a win.
Odom led the Miners in receptions with 10 catches for 67 yards, while Wondame Davis Jr. added 79 receiving yards on just three catches.
Defensively, UTEP forced a turnover, blocked a field goal, and held the Bearkats to under 150 yards in the second half. Micah Davey led the way with 14 tackles, tying his season high. The Bearkats managed just 8 or fewer yards on five of their final seven drives.
“We needed that one,” UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said after the win. “We played better complementary football tonight — offense, defense, and special teams all stepped up. I’m proud we put four quarters together.”
The 18-point win is UTEP’s largest against an FBS opponent since a 40-6 victory over FIU in 2022, and its biggest road win since 2021.
Up Next
UTEP gets a bye week before returning to action on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Kennesaw State.
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Category: General Sports
