On Nov. 9 UTEP football would host Kennesaw State Owls for their 92nd homecoming game. Winning their first homecoming game since 2021, the Miners dug out an exciting shootout win 43-35.
Prior to the game, both the Miners and Owls found themselves taking up the bottom spots of Conference USA.
As a part of the homecoming, many senior players were recognized as it was their last time playing at the Sun Bowl. This special day was to honor their accomplishments and perseverance in UTEP’s program.
From the coin toss, UTEP football Head Coach Scotty Walden wanted to send a message by beginning the game by receiving.
With success on perimeter passes and an early established rushing attack, UTEP drove down the field on their second possession, setting up a 32-yard-long pass from sophomore quarterback Skyler Locklear to wide receiver Kenny Odom seven minutes into the first quarter.
Right after UTEP’s early momentum, KSU sophomore running back Qua Ashley would return with a 97-yard touchdown from the kickoff in response. With a successful kick from junior Austin Welch, the score was tied 7-7.
The Owl’s defense proved resilient holding the Miners out of the endzone on a brilliant goal line stand to start the second quarter.
Towards the middle of the second quarter UTEP again would have no problems driving down the field on the KSU defense.
With 2:55 left in the second quarter, a pass from KSU’s sophomore quarterback Davis Bryson would be tipped and then intercepted by senior leader Kory Chapman.
This set up Locklear to connect to junior tight end Marcus Vinson at the 1:56 minute mark to head into the half 14-7.
Right out of halftime on the second play from the KSU offense, Bryson completed a pass to receiver junior Christian Moss for a 60-yard touchdown.
Welch would then miss the extra point keeping the Miners ahead 14-13.
UTEP answered on the next drive, with Locklear making a pass to senior wide receiver Trey Goodman, to set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Jevon Jackson bringing the score21-13.
UTEP would then fumble the ball in Miner territory, gifting the red zone position to Kennesaw State.
With 0:25 left in the third quarter, senior running back Michael Benefield took a rush in from five, marking the second touchdown for the Owls.
KSU went for a two point-conversion, and successfully tied the game 21-21.
Early in the fourth quarter, Locklear led the Miners down the field with precise throws and electrifying catches, setting up a 3-yard-rush touchdown by freshman quarterback Shay Smith to put UTEP ahead28-21.
With under four minutes left in the final quarter, UTEP would give up a return from Jayven Williams.
Kennesaw State held strong on defense and received the ball back with a chance to crash UTEP’s homecoming with 2:43 left in the game. Bryson scooted his way into the endzone and tied the game once again with a 14-yard rush. UTEP sophomore cornerback Amier Boyd-Matthews stalled the go-ahead drive with a return to set up UTEP with a walk-off game winning field goal.
UTEP kicker Buzz Flabiano would have two attempts at the walk-off winner due to a KSU’s penalty but would miss both. Entering overtime, UTEP would win the coin toss, electing Kennesaw State to go on offense first.
Every fan in the Sun Bowl was on their feet and loud for this historical senior night having the stadium rocking.
With a calm response the Owls scored on their first play on a deep ball to Ashley to put them up 35-28.
The Miners followed up with a touchdown pass from Locklear to Odom for their second scoring the day going into the next overtime period, UTEP was now first on offense.
The Miners channeled a three-play drive with Locklear dotting up Odom, putting UTEP on top with a conversion, 43-35.With the support of the crowd and an elite defensive effort, the Miners sealed the game, holding strong to defend their home turf one last time this year on homecoming night, marking their second win of the season.
UTEP football will have a bye week, followed by a game against the number six team in the country, Tennessee, in Knoxville on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.
