Last week, history was made when 11 Austin Peay transfers, and Head Coach Scotty Walden, won their first FBS game for UTEP.
This week, the Miners wanted to make even more history, by marching into Ruston, Louisiana and beating LA Tech Bulldogs at home. A feat which UTEP has not accomplished in 20 years.
But after a nailbiter, LA Tech’s streak at home against UTEP extends to 21 games.
LA Tech beat UTEP Tuesday night by a score of 14-10, improving to 3-4 on the season and 2-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Miners fell to 1-7 in the season and 1-4 in conference play.
It was UTEP who mined their way to the endzone first. Sophomore quarterback Skylar Locklear would start in relief of the injured junior Cade McConnell, but this time, Locklear had a win under his belt– and demonstrated his newfound strut.
Calm in the pocket, Locklear completed a short pass to junior Kam Thomas, who took it to the house from 47 yards out to put UTEP up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
The UTEP “Orange Swarm” defense was stout. Limiting the Bulldogs to under seven rushing yards and 300 yards of total offense. As they wouldn’t give up a score until late into the second quarter.
There, freshman quarterback Evan Bullock connected with junior receiver Solo Lewis for a 48-yard touchdown strike, which sent the game into the locker room tied at seven.
UTEP’s first punt of the third quarter ended up blocked by LA Tech, yet the Bulldogs couldn’t take advantage as freshman Buck Buchanan missed a 36-yard attempt.
When getting the ball back, Locklear received a hit to the chin from senior linebacker Zach Zimos, who launched himself headfirst at the sophomore quarterback. The senior linebacker was ejected from the game for targeting.
It’s the second year in a row that LA Tech has committed a dirty hit against UTEP. Last year, when playing at the Sun Bowl, former UTEP offensive lineman–now at Vanderbilt–Steven Hubbard had to be removed from the game after former LA Tech linebacker Brevin Randle stomped on Hubbard’s head while the lineman was down on the ground after the play had reached its conclusion.
Unlike the previous season, the hit on Locklear was penalized. In a similar capacity, Locklear had to exit the game. As a result, true freshman quarterback JP Pickles checked into the game and made his college football debut.
Pickles was successful in setting up sophomore kicker Buzz Flabiano’s 44-yard field goal to put UTEP up 10-7 late in the third.
However, when receiving a UTEP punt early in the fourth quarter, LA Tech went on a long 11-play drive which was capped with a 3-yard touchdown from junior running back Amani Givens, which gave LA Tech a late lead.
The Miners couldn’t get a groove on offense, failing to convert fourth down tries on their final two possessions.
“I thought our defense played at a championship level all the way,” said Head Coach Scotty Walden. “I’m proud of the team’s fight and their belief. I’m thankful to our parents and Miner Nation that traveled, we had a good section over here.”
UTEP returns to El Paso at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 2. to host Middle Tennessee, (2-6) (C-USA 1-3) at the Sun Bowl.
The game can also be seen on CBS Sports Network and listened to on 600 ESPN El Paso.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is a Staff Reporter for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
