UTEP falls on the road at Louisiana Tech in close contest

The UTEP Miners have now lost 19 consecutive games after falling on the road Saturday against Louisiana Tech, 31-24.

It was UTEP’s fourth consecutive loss by single digits.

UTEP would mount a drive in the closing minutes with a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime. But a costly facemask call on second and goal from the eight stalled the drive.

Brandon Jones then tried to hit David Lucero later in the drive on fourth down, but the pass fell incomplete, securing LA Tech’s victory.

UTEP fell behind 7-0 midway through the first quarter when Ryan Metz was picked off by L’Jarius Sneed, who returned the interception 12 yards for a touchdown.

But Metz bounced back nicely, completing 11 of his 17 passes in the game before leaving after appearing to hit his head on the turf in the third.

The Miners would answer the first quarter pick-six with a touchdown about two minutes later courtesy of Metz and receiver Keynan Foster, who combined to strike from 25 yards out.

Louisiana Tech would add another touchdown later in the first quarter and a field goal in the second to take a 17-7 lead into the break.

After his injury in the third, Metz was replaced by Brandon Jones at quarterback, and not Kai Locksley. Jones would account for two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to keep the Miners in the game. UTEP would trail by just three, 24-21, entering the fourth quarter.

UTEP would add a field goal early in the fourth to tie the game at 24, keeping hope alive that they might snap their 18-game skid.

The Miners then forced Louisiana Tech into a fourth and one on their next possession, but quarterback J’Mar Smith broke free for a 43-yard touchdown after a play fake fooled all 11 defenders, giving LA Tech a 31-24 lead that they would not relinquish.

UTEP fell to 0-7 on the season and 0-3 in Conference USA play, while LA Tech improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league action.

The Miners will return home on Saturday, Oct. 27 to face UAB.