UTEP tops Kennesaw State in 2OT 43-35
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Skyler Locklear threw four touchdowns, Kenny Odom hauled in three scores, senior Trey Goodman amassed over 230 all-purpose yards and the “Orange Swarm” defense tallied three sacks, 10 TFLs and two interceptions as UTEP (2-8, 2-5 Conference USA) held on to defeat Kennesaw State (1-8, 1-4 CUSA), 43-35 in double overtime, on “Senior Day” Saturday and the 92nd Homecoming in Sun Bowl Stadium.
With the game tied at 35 heading into the second overtime, Locklear gave the Miners the go-ahead lead with a 16-yard strike to Odom to the left side of the end zone. Locklear followed with a scramble where he ran left, then scrambled right, and found Jackson for the two-point conversion to take an eight-point lead. The UTEP defense then sealed the deal a big stop to force a turnover on downs and the victory. KSU got to the seven-yard line, but the Owls’ ensuing rush play went for minus two yards, and Davis Bryson’s last three passes were incomplete.
UTEP’s 43 points are the most this season and the most scored in the Sun Bowl since 2016. UTEP snapped a two-game Homecoming losing streak in the process. The Miners tallied a season-high 453 yards of total offense, and used a season-high 32:17 to win the time of possession.
“I’m so proud of this team and I’ve been talking about perseverance all year,” UTEP Head Coach Scotty Walden said. “That’s exactly what they did; they persevered through adversity. There were so many opportunities and for our team to get one up and we found a way to win a close ball game. I’m beyond proud, thankful for these seniors and thankful for our team respecting the seniors by sending them out the right way. We played with a lot of pride and a lot of passion. They deserve this win, defending the Sun Bowl. I’m thankful for our fans – in the fourth quarter they were elite and they responded. Our student section was awesome. It’s just so cool to see the Sun Bowl and what it’s going to be when we get this thing flipped around.”
UTEP’s 333 yards passing was a season most, led by Locklear’s 327 yards on 28-of-33 passing. Locklear, who missed the last game due to an injury, was the first UTEP QB to throw for four TDs since 2014 (Jameill Showers) and the first time in the Sun Bowl since 2012 (Nick Lamaison). Locklear’s 84.8 completion percentage is the third-best in program history. Locklear’s 28 completions are the most by a Miner since 2010 (Trevor Vittatoe). Locklear is the first Miner to throw for 300+ yards in a victory since 2021 (Gavin Hardison).
“[Skyler Locklear] was starting to find his rhythm and unfortunately, that injury occurred (at LA Tech a few weeks ago), but what a tough kid,” Walden said. “He tried to fight back to be back next week and to come back and get cleared that late with the little amount of reps he took and go out and execute the way he did was on point. I was so proud of his attitude tonight. He was vocal and hungry for this win.”
Freshman QB Shay Smith saw action, scoring his first collegiate touchdown and completing a six-yard pass.
The UTEP receivers showed out as Goodman and Odom were the first duo to each hit 100+ receiving yards in the same game since 2021 (Jacob Cowing & Justin Garrett).
Goodman set collegiate career bests in receptions (12) and receiving yards (150). He was targeted 12 times for a perfect 100 percent. Goodman made two key grabs as the first was a 37-yard reception to the KSU 1 that helped set up a Jevon Jackson one-yard score that put UTEP up 21-13, while he also recorded a 33-yard catch to the KSU 6 that helped pave the way for Smith’s keeper to the end zone that gave UTEP a 28-21 lead. Goodman added 87 yards on four punt returns, including a career-long 62-yarder.
Odom was the first UTEP receiver to haul in a trio of touchdown receptions since 2010 (Kris Adams). Odom tallied a career-best eight receptions for 108 yards. It was his second 100-yard effort this season. Odom hauled in TD receptions of 32, two and 16 yards. His final two TDs came in the overtime periods.
Marcus Vinson took in an 11-yard TD reception, his second score this season and the most by a UTEP tight end since 2022.
The Miners rushed for 120 yards, led by Jackson’s 68 and a TD on the ground and Locklear’s 30 yards.
The defense was led by Nate Dyman’s team-high 11 tackles and 2.0 TFLs, while Kyran Duhon tallied career bests in tackles (nine), sacks (2.0) and tackles for losses (2.0). Senior Kory Chapman intercepted his first pass in a UTEP uniform and added nine tackles with 1.5 TFLs and a half sack. Chapman’s INT led to Vinson’s TD in the second quarter. Amier Boyd-Matthews intercepted his second pass of the season and added a breakup. Xavier Smith broke up a season-best two passes.
UTEP got on the board on their second possession on an 89-yard, eight-play drive, resulting in an Odom 32-yard touchdown reception. It was Odom’s first TD since tallying one at WKU on Oct. 10, while it was the first of three on the day.
However, the Owls responded with a Qua Ashley 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.
UTEP looked to have taken the lead when Locklear found Jackson on an apparent six-yard touchdown. However, the score was called back after the reviews deemed Jackson’s knee was down before the ball went over the goal line. The Miners returned to the field for a third-and-1 in which Jackson was denied at the goal line, and then Smith’s rush attempt into the end zone turned the ball over on downs.
The Miners forced a KSU punt and received the ball at the KSU 45 following a Goodman fair catch. UTEP drove the ball down to the KSU 14 and came up short on a fourth-and-4, in which freshman running back Ashton Emory came up a yard short of extending the drive.
The Owls got the ball back at their own 11, but seven plays later Chapman came up with an interception. Chapman returned the INT to the KSU 29 while a personal foul penalty on KSU moved the ball to the KSU 14. Three plays later, Locklear threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Vinson and Buzz Flabiano’s PAT put the Miners up 14-7 with 1:56 left in the half.
Kennesaw State opened the second half with a 60-yard touchdown reception by Christian Moss from Bryson. Austin Welch missed the PAT, giving UTEP a 14-13 edge.
UTEP followed with a 75-yard, eight-play drive that was capped by a Jackson one-yard touchdown. The Miners took a 21-13 advantage following Flabiano’s PAT. Goodman helped set up the score on a season-long 37-yard reception to the KSU 1.
The Miners got the ball back late in the third, but Juan Silas forced a Locklear fumble that was recovered by Jaiden Kimble at the UTEP 22. The Owls followed with a five-yard touchdown rush by Michael Benefield and Carson Kent caught the two-point conversion to tie the game 21-21 with 25 seconds remaining in the third.
Smith scored on a three-yard keeper and Flabiano’s PAT gave UTEP a 28-21 lead with 11:10 left in the contest. Goodman made another big catch, this time a 33-yard grab down the sideline at the KSU 6.
The Owls then tied the game at 28 apiece when Bryson rushed 14 yards to the end zone with just 2:43 left in the game.
UTEP received the ball back but came up short on a pair of Flabiano FG attempts. He missed a 55-yard attempt with no time remaining, however a personal foul by KSU moved the ball up 15 yards. Flabiano missed the 40-yard try, forcing the game into overtime.
UTEP won the toss and opted to start on defense. The Owls scored on one play, a 25-yard Ashley TD reception from Bryson. The Miners scored on their second possession of the overtime on an Odom16-yard touchdown reception from Locklear.
Bryson threw for 183 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He led the Owls with 70 yards rushing and a score. Ashley recorded 184 all-purpose yards, including 52 yards on four receptions. Donelius Johnson was credited with a game-high 15 tackles.
UP NEXT
Following its bye week, UTEP will step out of CUSA action and travel to no. 7 Tennessee on Nov. 23 in Knoxville. The Miners and Volunteers are set to kick off at 11 a.m. MST/1 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium. The contest will be streamed on SECN+/ESPN+.
