UTEP defeats Stephen F. Austin 24-14 at Sun Bowl for opening win

EL PASO, Texas -- It was a long journey to get to this point, but Saturday night college football returned to the Sun Bowl.

The UTEP Miners kicked off the season and got its first win against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, an FCS school out of the Southland Conference.

The final score was 24-14.

The Miners were the favorite to win, but the Lumberjack would've loved nothing more than to take down an FBS school on the road.

It would be the Lumberjacks who would find paydirt early on their first possession of the game.

A 17 yard touchdown pass from SFA quarterback Trae Self to wide receiver Lawton Rikel.

SFA would take an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Miners would get on the board with about 3:30 left in the first quarter after a 22-yard field goal by UTEP kicker Gavin Baechle.

The Lumberjacks would find the end zone again the 2nd quarter following a one yard rushing toughdown by Da'Leon Ward.

14-3 Lumberjacks.

The Miners would get things going the rest of the half.

UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison would connect with Justin Garrett on 4 yard touchdown pass to cut the Lumberjacks lead to four, 14-10, Stephen F. Austin.

Later in the quarter, UTEP running back Deion Hankins would find the end zone on a 10 yard rushing touchdown.

It was the first collegiate touchdown for the former Parkland High School Matador, who also got his first 100-yard rushing game, 113 yards on the ground.

The Miners would take the lead 17-14 entering halftime

Hankins would then have another rushing touchdown in the 4th quarter to seal the win for the Miners, 24-14.

UTEP will now hit the road next Saturday when they travel to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns out of the Big 12 Conference.