The UTEP Miners have invited the Liberty Flames to the Lone Star State for an in-conference showdown this weekend as their final game of the season.
The Flames and Miners will face off in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, TX on Nov. 25th at 3:30 PM. The game will be broadcast on CBSSN and LFSN Radio (The Journey 88.3 FM).
The Sun Bowl Stadium was opened in 1963 and was remodeled most recently in 2001 to hold 51,500 people. At the Miners’ last home game, 11,111 onlookers watched as UTEP fell to Western Kentucky 13-21.
The Miners are 2-5 in Conference USA and 3-8 overall. Last week, the Miners lost at Middle Tennessee 30-32. The Miners’ three wins were against Incarnate Word, FIU, and Sam Houston. The Flames and Miners’ programs have never played each other before.
Since joining the FBS, the Flames have spent 12 weeks ranked in the AP poll while the Miners have only spent 5. The last time the Miners were ranked was in the 2005 season.
The Miners finished last season with a 5-7 record. Since joining Conference USA in 2005, UTEP has only made it to four bowl games. The Miners have not won a bowl game since 1967, which is the longest drought amidst NCAA Division I FBS teams.
Head coach Dana Dimel has been with the Miners since the 2018 season. Dimel began his coaching career in 1987 at Kansas State following four years spent as a defensive tackle for Kansas State.
In high school, Dimel was named first-team All-Central Ohio League as a defensive lineman in 1980. Between Dimel’s three head coaching positions at Wyoming, Houston, and now UTEP, Dimel’s record is 51-86.
UTEP has averaged 217.4 passing yards and 152.9 rushing yards per game this season. The Miners have thrown 12 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. The Miners have also only forced 9 turnovers this season.
Three Players to Watch For
WR #4 – Kelly Akharaiyi has hauled in 43 receptions this season for 924 yards and 7 touchdowns.
QB #11 – Cade McConnell is a Sophomore from Los Alamitos, CA. McConnell has thrown 147 times for 1,273 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions this season.
LB #10 – Tyrice Knight has recorded 125 tackles, 78 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 pass defenses, and two fumble recoveries this season.
Upcoming Games
Nov. 25 – UTEP vs Liberty
