EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – UTEP football found themselves down 21-points in the third quarter, later bringing it within one score to open up the fourth. Miners even had a chance to tie things up after a pick-six, which was later called back on a penalty.
UTEP’s offense stalled to open up the game with just a field goal on the board after the first 30 minutes of play. Starting quarterback Skyler Locklear collecting 56 yards and 1 interception going 7-for-15 in the first two quarters.
Rams would enter the field for the second half on top with a score of 14-3. Quickly, CSU extends this further collecting its first blocked punt in years translating to points, in addition to a field goal would make it 24-3 late in the third.
Head coach Scotty Walden makes a change at quarterback for the Miners in the third, bringing in Cade McConnell. McConnell sparks a fire underneath UTEP’s offense quickly moving the Miners down field.
McConnell will connect with Kenny Odom for a 28-yard touchdown, UTEP’s first of the night. The two will link up once again this time for a 55-yarder to bring the game within one score, 24-17.
With two minutes left on the clock UTEP has a chance to tie the game at 24’s with a pick six by Josiah Allen – the touchdown is called back on offsides.
CSU will make its way down field one more time reaching field goal range, securing the win 27-17.
McConnell closes out the night in Fort Collins with 220-yards and two touchdowns going 19-for-29 in just two quarters. The same amount of time Locklear saw the field.
Despite the end result not going in the Miners favor, the production out of McConnell is promising and possibly the change UTEP needs in order to secure its first win.
“I’ll probably get a lot of questions about the quarterback change – I just felt like we needed a spark,” said Walden. “We needed a change on offense in some regard and I give a lot of credit to Cade. I really appreciate his focus and leadership and coming in – and just giving us a chance to win the game.”
UTEP will now take a bye week ahead of its next competition returning home for just the second time this season taking on Sam Houston on Thursday, October 3rd.
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