UTEP coach Scotty Walden scouts Louisiana Tech
UTEP coach Scotty Walden scouts Louisiana Tech
Through a quarter of the season, Louisiana Tech has been the class of Conference USA, as it brings a 3-1 record to the Sun Bowl and will be a favorite against UTEP.
The Miners, meanwhile, hope to find some Sun Bowl magic that eluded it a week ago when it fell to Louisiana-Monroe. For UTEP to have a chance, it will have to return to the tackling form it showed in the first two weeks. It will also need to find a running game and continue the growth on offense it began to show last week.
This is the middle game in a three-game Sun Bowl homestand for the Miners and their first game of their final season in Conference USA.
UTEP Miners
Table of Contents
Where: The step
2025 Record: 1-3
Streak: Lost 2
Coach: Scotty Walden, second season (4-12 at UTEP, 38-32 career)
Total offense: 364.2 yards per game (90th)
Total defense: 367.5 yards per game (81st)
Miners offense
UTEP took a step forward offensively against Louisiana-Monroe when it played two and a half good quarters, but still hasn’t found much of a run game, which led to inconsistency when the game was getting away from it.
The Miners may be missing top receiver Kenny Odom, who is recovering from a shoulder injury but has been a limited participant in practice, and tailback Ashten Emory, who has an arm injury.
Malachi Nelson is coming off his best game as a college starting quarterback and seems to have found a groove throwing the deep ball. UTEP is trending in the right direction, but faces a big test against a Louisiana Tech team that keeps opponents from scoring.
Miners defense
A good start to the season screeched to a half when the UTEP defense lost its ability to tackle against Louisiana-Monroe. UTEP is dealing with shifting personnel as it works to overcome the losses of linebacker Joshua Rudolph and Garrett Hawkins.
When UTEP has tackled well it has played well, and that’s led by linebacker Micah Davey and cornerback Neil Campbell, who are having all-conference seasons. The Miners need to get back to their run defense that was so strong in the first three games, as Louisiana Tech is a running team.
Injury update
UTEP is having a rough year with injuries, as tailback Kam Thomas, linebacker Joshua Rudolph and linebacker Garrett Hawkins are out for the year with injuries. Leading receiver Kenny Odom is recovering from a separated shoulder and, per UTEP, will be a “game time decision.” The same goes for tailback Ashten Emory, who has an arm injury.
UTEP players to watch
Quarterback Malachi Nelson. He’s trending the right way as he goes into his fifth start. His completion percentage (57.75) needs to improve, but UTEP was plagued by drops in the last game. Nelson did throw two late interceptions in the last loss in desperation situations and those need to cut down.
Tailback Hahsean Wilson. UTEP’s running game has been anemic and that will be mostly on Wilson’s shoulders to fix. He’s averaging 7.4 yards per carry but, like the entire offense, needs consistency. To give UTEP the best chance of winning, Wilson needs a string of 5 yard carries.
Cornerback Neil Campbell. Campbell is quietly having a superb year. He is second on the team in tackles, leads in pass breakups and is tied for the lead in forced fumbles. In the passing game he has become a shut-down corner.
Key stats
34. Tackles for loss this season. UTEP is tied for 10th nationally and leads Conference USA in that statistic.
3-17-1. UTEP’s all-time record against Louisiana Tech. This is the final year the teams are scheduled to meet, as they are headed to different conferences next year. The series dates back to a 1939 game won by UTEP 27-0. Since then Louisiana Tech is 8-1-1 in the Sun Bowl.
23.6%. Opponents third-down conversion percentage. The Miners lead CUSA and rank ninth nationally in that category.
Where: Rust, the.
2025 Record: 3-1
Streak: Won 2
Coach: Sonny Cumby, fourth season (9-16 at La. Tech, 16-30 career)
Total offense: 332.2 yards per game (107th)
Total defense: 364.8 yards per game (79th)
Bulldogs offense
Louisiana Tech is a run-first team, as almost 66% of their plays and 49% of their yards come on the ground. Quarterback Blake Baker came on in relief in the Louisiana State game and has been the starter since. He is a dual threat and is the Bulldogs’ second-leading rusher.
Sophomore tailback Clay Thevenin has been the top rusher and Baker’s top target is Eli Finley.
More: CUSA football standings
Bulldogs defense
While they have been mediocre in yards allowed, ranking 79th nationally, they are 22nd nationally and first in Conference USA in fewest points allowed (14.25). In addition to that, the Bulldogs are the only team in the country with three defensive touchdowns.
Linebacker Kolbe Fields is the top tackler and has one of those touchdowns on an interception return. Louisiana Tech has forced eight turnovers, tied for second nationally, including six interceptions.
Louisiana Tech players to watch
Quarterback Blake Baker. While Baker has completed just 58% of his passes, he hasn’t thrown an interception and adds a running dimension to a run-first offense. He took over the starting job late in the game against LSU and has since led the Bulldogs to two wins.
Linebacker Mekhi Mason. Louisiana Tech’s second-leading tackler is the national leader in tackles for loss (eight) and has three sacks and two pass breakups.
Linebacker Kolbe Fields. Having linebackers as the two leading tacklers is a good sign for any defense and that’s true for Louisiana Tech. Fields scored a touchdown on an interception return last week against Southern Miss and he has 38 tackles in four games.
Key stats
3. Defensive touchdowns this season for Louisiana Tech. That leads the nation. The Bulldogs have two fumble returns and an interception return.
+7. Louisiana Tech’s turnover margin ranks second in the FBS. North Texas is +8.
89.25%. Penalty yards per game, the second most in the FBS. UCLA “leads” at 91.67.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
