The Liberty Flames (2-0, 1-0 CUSA) are back in action against UTEP (0-2, 0-0 CUSA) this week. The Flames and Miners will meet in Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday, September 14 at 6 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Coming off a disappointing 3-9 campaign a season ago where UTEP was just 2-6 in conference play, the Miners went in a new direction at head coach, bringing in young upstart Scotty Walden.
After several years at Southern Miss, including a time as interim head coach when he played against Liberty in Lynchburg, Walden took the head coaching job at FCS Austin Peay. He posted a 26-14 mark leading the Governors to the FCS Playoffs in 2023 and a final ranking in the top 10.
Now, Walden returns to his home state of Texas where he has the Miners at 0-2 to begin the season. UTEP lost at Nebraska, 40-7, in the season opener and then were upset by FCS Southern Utah, 27-24, in overtime after missing a 32-yard field goal in the overtime period that would have sent it to a second overtime.
From Austin Peay, he brought with him Skyler Locklear who was a backup quarterback for the Governors the last two seasons. Locklear has started the first two games for UTEP so far this year, completing 33 of 46 passes (71.7%) for 410 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He’s also second on the team in rushing with 19 carries for 62 yards and a score.
Jevon Jackson, another Austin Peay transfer, has been the workhorse at running back so far. He has 30 rushing attempts for 112 yards. No other player has more than four carries on the season. Jackson was an All-American at Austin Peay in 2023, rushing for 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games.
Kam Thomas, yes, another Austin Peay transfer, leads the team in receiving with 12 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. Kenny Odom (you’re on the trend now, an Austin Peay transfer) is second on the team with 97 receiving yards on five receptions. Jaden Smith (no, not an Austin Peay transfer but an Eastern Kentucky transfer) has 8 receptions for 89 yards through the first two games.
In total there are 11 transfers from Austin Peay on the UTEP roster this season.
The Miners are allowing 245.5 rushing yards per game this year and have allowed right at 200 yards per game through the air. Teams have scored 33.5 points per game to begin the season against the UTEP defense.
Dorian Hopkins and Kory Chapman have been the top two tacklers on the team for the Miners so far this season. Hopkins is a graduate transfer from Tulsa. He has 25 tackles with two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Chapman is an Austin Peay transfer who plays the Spur position. He has 23 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
UTEP is one of the most penalized teams in the country, being whistled for 23 penalties for 198 yards in their first two games.
Three Players to Watch For
QB #9 – Skyler Locklear has completed 33 of 46 passes for 410 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in his first two starts for UTEP. He’s also rushed 19 times for 62 yards and a touchdown.
WR/RB #5 – Kam Thomas leads the team with 12 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown with a long of 65. He’s also lost one yard on two rushing attempts.
Spur #6 – Kory Chapman has 23 tackles, leading the team with 11 solo stops as well as a team-best 2.5 tackles for loss.
Upcoming Games/Recent Results
Aug. 31 – Nebraska 40, UTEP 7
Sep. 7 – Southern Utah 27, UTEP 24 (OT)
Sep. 21 – UTEP @ Colorado State
Oct. 3 – UTEP vs Sam Houston
