UTEP scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Sam Houston, earning a 35–17 win on Wednesday night at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.

The Miners led 21–17 entering the final frame before extending their advantage with a 20-yard strike to Kenny Odom from Skyler Locklear. The Bearkats did control the time of possession, controlling things for 35:25.

With the win, UTEP improved to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in Conference USA play. The Miners rushed for 175 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry, while adding 175 yards through the air.

"I'm so proud of the team for shaking back after four frustrating losses in a row," second-year UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said. "I feel like this team is getting better. I thought we played much better complementary football tonight. Down the stretch, there were some key things, a field goal block and a muffed punt, but our defense rose to the occasion and the offense did the best job that we've done all year of capitalizing on opportunities. I'm proud that we put four quarters together, but I still think we can play cleaner and play winning football. It all starts with getting one [win] and now we have to parlay that with the momentum and get better."

Defensively, UTEP limited Sam Houston to 398 total yards. The Bearkats converted just 3-of-11 third downs and were stopped on a fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter.

The Miners finished with five touchdowns—three rushing and two passing—and held the ball for nearly 33 minutes. UTEP converted 6-of-18 third downs and failed on four different fourth down conversions.

The 18-point win versus an FBS opponent was the biggest since defeating FIU 40-6 on Nov. 19, 2022, and it's the first road win by 18+ points since a 30-3 win at NM State on Aug. 28, 2021.

UP NEXT FOR The MINERS
UTEP Football gets a little downtime as the Miners head into a bye week before returning to action on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Kennesaw State. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPNU. The Miners and Owls are set for a 6 p.m. MT/8 ET kickoff.