UTEP gets 2-0 start; defeats Bethune Cookman 38-28
GAME FINAL REPORT: EL PASO, Texas — Gavin Hardison threw a career-high three touchdown passes, Willie Eldridge and Ronald Awatt each had over 100 yards rushing, and UTEP beat Bethune-Cookman 38-28 on Saturday night in the home opener for UTEP.
Hardison lofted passes into the end zone from inside the 10 that set up fantastic catches each from Jacob Cowing and Justin Garrett in the fourth quarter, giving the Miners a 31-14 lead with 10:44 remaining. Hardison also tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Trent Thompson in the first quarter and finished the game 14-of-22 passing for 183 yards.
Awatt ran 18 times for 126 yards, and his 19-yard touchdown run stretched the Miners’ lead to 37-21. Eldridge had 118 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Shannon Patrick completed 15 of 22 passes for 215 yards and threw two touchdown passes and an interception for Bethune-Cookman. Que’shaun Byrd added 98 yards rushing that included a 2-yard TD run.
HALFTIME REPORT: EL PASO, Texas - In search of their first 2-0 start since 2005, the UTEP Miners are keeping FCS opponent Bethune Cookman off the scoreboard but still waiting for their knockout.
UTEP leads the Wildcats 10-0 at halftime in the home opener at Sun Bowl Bowl Stadium.
Converting a 4th and Goal, the Miners scored their lone touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Gavin Hardison to tight end Trent Thompson. It was Thompson's first touchdown reception as a Miner.
But in a continuation of last week's dominating effort against New Mexico State, UTEP's defense is proving to be a special group early.
The Miners held the Wildcats to under 100 yards of offense in the first half, highlighted by two sacks including one from Preseason All-Conference selection Keenan Stewart.
UTEP star RB Deion Hankins is sitting out Saturday's game with a shoulder injury. Ronald Awatt, Quardraiz Wadley, and redshirt freshman Willie Eldridge have shouldered the load out of the backfield.
Eldridge has a career-high 63 yards on six attempts, including a 38-yard scamper in the 2nd quarter.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
