EL PASO, Texas – Saturday games return as UTEP will host Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee. The Miners (1-7, 1-4 CUSA) and Blue Raiders (2-6, 1-3 CUSA) are set to kickoff at 1:30 p.m. in Sun Bowl Stadium on Nov. 2. Saturday’s contest is the first of back-to-back home games for the Miners. Saturday’s promotion is Future Miner Day with proud partner GECU as the game sponsor.
The 2004 UTEP football team is returning to the 915 on Saturday afternoon. The team, led by head coach Mike Price, will be honored 20 years after the Miners shocked the nation by winning eight games and receiving an invitation to the Houston Bowl. Over 40 members, including 17 starters of the ’04 squad, will be reuniting in El Paso
The Miners are coming off a 14-10 setback at LA Tech on Oct. 22. UTEP held a 10-7 edge before Bulldogs’ Amani Givens scored the go-ahead touchdown with just over six minutes remaining in the contest. Jevon Jackson produced his second consecutive century mark rushing for 112 yards. True freshman backup quarterback JP Pickles saw his first collegiate action after starting QB Skyler Locklear was knocked out of the contest on a targeting call. Pickles went on to finish with 53 yards on the ground. Kory Chapman made his way back to the gridiron after missing two games. Chapman led the defense with eight tackles, including a career-high 3.5 TFLs. Chapman added a sack, upping his total to 2.5 on the year. Maurice Westmoreland tallied a season-high 2.0 sacks, giving the senior 4.5 on the season.