UTEP Squeezes Past Kennesaw State, 43-35, in 2OT

El Paso, Texas- The UTEP Miners Football won their second game of the season on senior night at the Sun Bowl, defeating Kennesaw St. Owls 43-35. The overtime winner for the Miners served as a bit of redemption for them after failing to win in overtime in their home opener against Southern Utah back in September. 

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear found wide receiver Kenny Odom twice in the extra periods to give UTEP the win. Locklear had his best game of the season. He was an efficient 28 for 33, throwing for 327 yards and four touchdown passess.

The game became a shootout in the second half as both teams combined for 57 points after only scoring a combined total of 21 points in the first half. With the Miners’ win, this showed that Scotty Walden’s team can persevere in a close game on both sides of the football when push comes to shove.     

Here’s What Happened

• The Miner struck first, scoring on their second possession of the game. Quarterback Skyler Locklear connected with wide receiver Kenny Odom for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The extra point by Buzz Flabiano was good to make the game 7-0 with 7:06 to go in the first quarter. The lead was short lived as Qua Ashley ran back the ensuing kickoff back 97-yards for the touchdown to tie the game 7-7. 
• A 33-yard punt return by Trey Goodman led to a possession that started at the Owls 28-yard line only to end on turnover on downs for UTEP at the visitors one-yard line. Defensive back Kory Chapman intercepted the ball for the Miners with 2:59 left in the first half. Three plays later Locklear connected with Marcus Vinson from 11-yards out for his second touchdown pass of the game. UTEP went into halftime leading 14-7.  
• Kennesaw St. only needed 42-seconds at the start of the second quarter to score.The Owls took the ball 62-yards in two plays ending in a 60-yard touchdown pass from Davis Bryson to Christian Moss. Austin Welch missed the extra point attempt to make it 14-13 UTEP. The Miners were able to answer on their own first possession of the second half taking the ball 75 yards in eight plays ending in a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Jevon Jackson. Prior to the end of the third quarter, Skyler Locklear fumbled the ball that was recovered by the Kennesaw St. at the UTEP 22-yard line. Four plays and two minutes later the Owls tied the game. Michael Benefield ran the ball from five yards out to score the touchdown, the 2-point conversion was good to make the score 21-21 at the end of the third quarter. 
• The Miners took the lead 28-21 with 11:10 to go in the game when they took the ball 75-yard in eight plays ending with a Shay Smith quarterback keeper from three yards out. Flabiano’s extra-point attempt was good. The Owls tied the game, 28-28, with 2:43 left in the contest. UTEP got into field goal position to win the game with three seconds left on the clock. Flabiano’s kick from 55 yards had the distance but was wide right, but a personal foul penalty on Kennesaw St. gave the UTEP kicker a second from 15 yards closer. He missed wide left on his second attempt, leading the game to go to overtime.            

What was said

After the game UTEP head coach Scotty Walden spoke volumes about his team and their improvement in all facets of the game. Walden said, “I loved our team’s response to adversity. There were so many opportunities in that game to say ‘Okay, well they got us’, everyone on our sideline fought, persevered and they did it for our seniors to send them out the right way ... .It's a dedication to them”. 

What’s next

Up next for the UTEP is a money game. The Miners will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to face the Tennessee Volunteers next Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. MST. and will be televised nationally on the SEC network.