The longest active losing streak in college football is over at 20 games, UTEP defeats Rice 34-26 in Houston.

The Miners (1-8, 1-4 C-USA) get their first win in over two years against the Rice Owls  (1-9, 0-6 C-USA), UTEP also gets their first win in Conference USA and the first win under first-year head coach Dana Dimel. The last time UTEP won was against North Texas on Nov. 26, 2016. 

“Obviously the first half was the style of football that I love to see our team play,” Dimel said.  “That was good football in all three aspects of what we did. In the second half, give credit to Rice.  They came back and did some really positive things and hung in there. That team’s got a lot of fight. But our guys found a way to win.

UTEP was able to get to a quick lead scoring on their first two possessions. At the end of the first half, UTEP led Rice 27-0. UTEP had a total of 310 yards of offense in the first half.

UTEP enjoyed a comfortable lead till the fourth quarter. When Rice decided to cut into the deficit by scoring 16 unanswered points. The Owls took advantage of Miners turnovers and miscues.

Junior quarterback Kai Locksley finished the game with two rush touchdowns, 193 yards, and an interception. Junior running back Quardraiz Wadley led all Miners with 20 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

The city of El Paso also had reason to celebrate with the break the chains campaign happening across eight different bars around the city. The chains were broken. Miner fans got to celebrate the victory with free beer. Some chanted “picks up” some just showed up to get free beer.

I mean it’s been two years since we got the W, said Michael Briones who was at the Bar Spirit of Sixty-Six to watch the game. “ I mean I know some of the guys on the team. they had been wanting to get this win, so it’s just really good to finally see it happen plus free beer.”