Hankins runs for 3 TDs in UTEP's 31-6 over Warhawks

Updated Sep. 26, 2020 7:07 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MONROE, La. (AP) — Deion Hankins rushed for three touchdowns and UTEP held Louisiana-Monroe to 7 yards rushing in a 31-6 victory on Saturday.

Hankins' first touchdown, a 2-yard run, came on the play following an 82-yard pass from Gavin Hardison to Jacob Cowing. Hankins set up his second TD with a 37-yard run, scoring two plays later from the 1. Hardison threw a 38-yard pass to Devaughn Cooper to begin the third scoring drive that ended with Hankins' 8-yard score. Gavin Baechle's 42-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the half made it 24-0.

Hankins rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries. Hardison was 13-of-25 passing for 302 yards with Justin Garrett collecting 120 yards receiving and Cowing 102.

Coby Suits threw a 35-yard score to Jahquan Bloomfield in the final minute of the third quarter to cap a 55-yard drive that began after a UTEP fumble. Up till then, the Warhawks didn't have a drive exceed 12 yards. Suits finished with 184 yards passing with a TD and an interception.

The victory has UTEP (3-1) off to its best start since its 2010 team started 5-1. It also gave the Miners their most wins in a season since 2014 when they finished with four.

ULM (0-3) is limiting fan capacity to 25% at 30,427-seat Malone Stadium. Saturday's announced attendance was 5,491.

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