With bowl eligibility on the line, UTEP returns to the Sun Bowl for the third time this season, with aspirations to win their first game of the season.
Week eight welcomed the Florida International University Panthers, a team the Miners beat last year on an ESPN Wednesday Night Primetime off the back of then sophomore Cade McConnell.
But this year, McConnell is stuck on the sidelines rehabbing a wrist injury. If UTEP wanted to reignite last year’s weeknight magic, they’d need it to be cast from sophomore Skylar Locklear, who was recently demoted to second string after starting the Miners’ first four games
The night started off all too familiar to UTEP fans as a blocked punt against the Miners would set up Panthers’ sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins’s 16 yard-pass to junior Dean Patterson, who would find the endzone to give FIU a 7-0 lead early in the first.
UTEP would answer with a field goal, and early in the second quarter Locklear would scramble out of the pocket and earn a rushing touchdown to give the Miners their first lead of the night.
The Miners wouldn’t hold on to the 10-7 lead for long. After switching quarterbacks, sophomore Amari Jones detected junior Eric Rivers and completed a 33-yard pass which would result in a Panther touchdown near the end of the first half.
But the Miners refused to put their picks down. In four plays, UTEP drove down the field, capping their series with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Locklear to junior Jevon Jackson, kick starting the running backs remarkable night.
The Miners lead FIU 17-14 when going into the locker rooms.
The majority of the third quarter decelerated the back-and-forth dynamic seen early in the game. As UTEP would get a field goal early to extend their lead by six.
When nearing the last quarter, both teams would trade interceptions. Locklear’s proved detrimental, as FIU capitalized off the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown run by junior Kejon Owens.
With 15 minutes to go, the fans held their breath as FIU clinged to a one point lead.
Once again, UTEP’s “Blue Blaze” offense, labeled for their quickness, stormed down the field, and capped off their drive with a short touchdown run from Jackson.
With possession and a little over six minutes to work with, FIU’s drive to combat UTEP’s touchdown was spoiled by sophomore Amier Boyd-Matthews, who picked off FIU’s third quarterback of the game, junior Haden Carlson.
The Miners would get another three points off the leg of sophomore Buzz Flabiano, extending their lead by two possessions.
In the dwindling minutes, the Panthers’ chances of a comeback were clawed away, as this time, it was junior Dillon Williams who came up with the interception that would solidify UTEP’s first win of the season.
UTEP beat the FIU Panthers 30-21.
“I feel like a winner,” said Walden post-game. “I’m so proud of this team and proud of the coaching staff. It’s all about our spirit, and Miner spirit never dies.”
UTEP’s defense, or the “Orange Swarm,” was spectacular, as the unit claimed four interceptions from the Panther offense.
Jackson led the charge offensively, with a season high 148 yards and two touchdowns on the board. Overall, the Miners put up a season high against the Panthers.
“Jevon Jackson was spectacular tonight,” said Walden. “I was very proud of this football team.”
Wednesday marked Coach Walden’s first FBS win, an achievement he shares with 11 players who transferred from Austin Peay this spring.
Now at 1-6, the Miners will have to win out if they hope to remain bowl eligible.
The mission continues as UTEP heads on the road to face LA Tech on Oct. 22.
The game will be at 6 p.m. and can be listened to on KLAQ 95.5 and watched on CBS Sports Network.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is a staff reporter for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
