UTEP’s comeback falls short against Louisiana Tech, 41-31

RUSTON, Louisiana - The UTEP Miners found themselves in a battle down south in Ruston, Louisiana.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Miners came up short against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs by a final score of 41-31.

Louisiana Tech would get off to a fast start scoring a touchdown on their first possession of the game.

The Bulldogs would then tack on another 6 points after scoring a touchdown later in the first quarter to take an early 14-0 lead.

UTEP's first points of the game would come by way of a field goal in the first quarter to cut Louisiana Tech's lead to 14-3.

But shortly following that field goal by the Miners, the Bulldogs would march down the field and score their third touchdown of the game to extend their lead in the first quarter 20-3 (extra point was blocked).

The Miners would find paydirt in the second quarter as they would score their first touchdown of the game courtesy of a 5-yard touchdown run by former Parkland Matador, Deion Hankins.

That would cut Louisiana Tech's lead to 10, 20-10.

The Bulldogs would then tack on a field goal late in the 2nd quarter to go up 23-10.

With a little under 3 minutes to go in the first half, UTEP would make a costly mistake after UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison would be intercepted by a Bulldog defender who would then return it the other way for a pick 6.

Louisiana Tech would go into the half up 30-10.

That score would hold until the 4th quarter when the Miners would get their second touchdown of the game courtesy of a 3-yard touchdown run by former Ysleta Indian Rey Flores.

That would cut Louisiana Tech's lead to 30-17.

UTEP wasn't done finding the end zone in the 4th quarter as they would get another touchdown on their next possession.

This time it was a 44-yard touchdown pass from QB Gavin Hardison to UTEP tight end Trent Thompson.

That would cut Louisiana Tech's lead to just 6 points, 30-24, but that would be as close as the Miners would get.

On Louisiana Tech's ensuing possession, the Bulldogs would march down the field and find the end zone for the first time in the second half.

After a two point conversion, Louisiana Tech would create some distance on the scoreboard going up 38-24.

Louisiana Tech would then tack on another 3 points by way of field goal to go up 41-24.

UTEP would score another touchdown late in the 4th quarter, but by then the game was pretty much in favor of the Bulldogs.

The final score, 41-31.

UTEP falls to 3-4 on the season, 1-2 in Conference USA play.

The Miners will get a much needed break as they enter a bye week after playing 7 straight games.