UTEP MINERS NEWS

Gavin Hardison - DNP again Hardison (arm) did not play during UTEP's game Saturday at Middle Tennessee State.

Impact Cade McConnell was UTEP's starting quarterback Saturday. Unsurprisingly, Hardison sat out again. Currently, his next opportunity to play is against Liberty on Nov. 25, when both teams are scheduled to play their last regular-season games of 2023.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Ballard - Nets 87 yards Ballard caught four passes for 87 yards versus MTSU on Saturday.

Impact Ballard had 551 yards through 11 games, which is solid for a secondary receiver, but he only has one touchdown all year.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Ballard - Nets 87 yards Ballard caught four passes for 87 yards versus MTSU on Saturday.

Impact Ballard had 551 yards through 11 games, which is solid for a secondary receiver, but he only has one touchdown all year.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly Akharaiyi - Catches two TDs Akharaiyi caught six passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns versus MTSU on Saturday.

Impact Perhaps the sole silver lining for the Miners in 2023 is the emergence of Akharaiyi, especially late in the season. In four of his last five games he's had over 120 yards and a touchdown.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deion Hankins - Rushes for TD Hankins ran 13 times for 48 yards and a score and had one catch for 35 yards Saturday versus MTSU.

Impact Hankins has been the lead back for the Miners, and with Torrance Burgess having to go into concussion protocol during this game, it's possible Hankins will get more touches than usual in UTEP's season finale against Liberty.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cade McConnell - Throws two TDs, INT McConnell went 24-for-41 for 364 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against MTSU on Saturday. He also lost a fumble.

Impact This is the most McConnell has been able to air it out. While injuries thrust the redshirt sophomore into the starting role, it's possible he will be in line to have the gig when the 2024 season begins.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Torrance Burgess Jr. - In concussion protocol Burgess is in concussion protocol, Bret Bloomquist of the El Paso Times reports.

Impact Burgess was injured making a tackle on a fake punt. The result was him going into concussion protocol, now with just one game of action left in UTEP's 2023 season. Currently, the Miners are scheduled to finish their 2023 campaign next Saturday against Liberty, which may not be enough time for his head to heal.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Vattiato's 3 TDs, 342 yards lead Middle Tennessee past UTEP, 34-30

Nicholas Vattiato threw three touchdown passes and accounted for 342 yards of Middle Tennessee’s offense as the Blue Raiders held off UTEP, 34-30 in their home finale

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Middle Tennessee vs. UTEP: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time, How to Watch – November 18

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. UTEP Miners game, Saturday, November 18.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE

Middle Tennessee vs. UTEP Prediction, Odds, Picks - November 18

Preview the November 18 matchup between the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and UTEP Miners with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, bettin...

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE

Tyrin Smith - Does not practice Monday Smith (undisclosed) did not participate in Monday's practice, Rachel Phillips of KVIA reports.

Impact Smith was held out of practice as he continues to nurse an undisclosed injury. After a solid start to the season, Smith has not played since Week 3 with his injury. After missing Monday's practice, he is at risk of the extended absence continuing another week.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gavin Hardison - Not practicing Monday Hardison (elbow) was observed wearing a large brace on his right throwing arm and did not participate in Monday's practice, Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News reports.

Impact Hardison has been working his way back from an injury suffered in September. The senior quarterback has missed five games and is looking questionable to play in Saturday's matchup against Middle Tennessee State.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly Akharaiyi - Another big game Akharaiyi caught five passes for 141 yards and a score Saturday versus WKU.

Impact Since Tyrin Smith (undisclosed) went down, Akharaiyi has been relied upon as the lead receiver. A couple times, he hasn't been up to the task, but recently he's mostly been delivering. He has over 100 yards with a touchdown in three of his last four contests.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deion Hankins - Rushes for 67 yards Hankins ran 16 times for 67 yards against WKU on Saturday.

Impact Hankins and Torrance Burgess got pretty much exactly an even split in terms of touches - Hankins had one more rushing attempt - and while Burgess was better in this one, Hankins has been better this season. Hankins is the one with three 100-yard games, though he does nothing in the passing game, while Burgess has some value there. As such, both guys should maintain a role.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Torrance Burgess Jr. - Rushes for 86 yards Burgess ran 15 times for 86 yards Saturday versus WKU.

Impact Burgess and Deion Hankins got essentially the same number of rushing attempts, and while Burgess was better in this one, Hankins has largely been better on the season. Both get their touches, though, and with the struggles in the passing game the Miners have, that should likely continue to be the case.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cade McConnell - Throws TD, INT once again McConnell went 14-for-24 for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against WKU on Saturday.

Impact The Miners might let McConnell play out the stretch, and why not? He's a redshirt sophomore, UTEP can't make a bowl, and there are only two games left. The team should see if he can be the guy for 2024.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elijah Boyd - Injured during Week 10 Boyd reportedly suffered an undisclosed injury during UTEP's game Saturday against Western Kentucky, Adrian Broaddus of 600 ESPN El Paso reports.

Impact Boyd participated in more snaps (29) than ever he had compared to his previous games. The result is his status being questionable as UTEP's team prepares for Middle Tennessee State after a bye week.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Fryar - Reportedly injured Fryar reportedly suffered an undisclosed injury during UTEP's game Saturday against Western Kentucky, Adrian Broaddus of 600 ESPN El Paso reports.

Impact The reported injury could explain why Fryar was limited 30 snaps during UTEP's game, considering he participated in somewhere between 38 and 68 snaps across his previous games played during 2023. He finished Saturday with one reception for four yards.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Young runs for 139 yards, 2 TDs to help W. Kentucky beat UTEP 21-13

Elijah Young ran for 139 yards and two second-half touchdowns to help Western Kentucky beat UTEP 21-13

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

UTEP vs. Western Kentucky: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time, How to Watch – November 4

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the UTEP Miners vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers game, Saturday, November 4.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE

Western Kentucky vs. UTEP Prediction, Odds, Picks - November 4

Preview the November 4 matchup between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and UTEP Miners with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting...

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE

Tyrin Smith - Status uncertain Smith's (undisclosed) status is indeterminate ahead of Saturday's game against Western Kentucky, Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News reports.

Impact Head coach Dana Dimel spoke to the media on Monday and stated, "right now I'm not sure if [Smith] will play in this game or not". The senior wideout has missed that last five games as the result of an undisclosed issue, and his status appears in question again heading into Saturday's matchup with the Hilltoppers.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gavin Hardison - Week-to-week Hardison (arm) was designated as week-to-week ahead of Saturday's showdown with Western Kentucky, Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News reports.

Impact Hardison, who sat out for his fourth-consecutive game this weekend, continues to deal with an arm injury. The senior quarterback has appeared in five games this season, throwing for 947 yards (73-of-129), five touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding two touchdowns on the ground. UTEP's head coach, Dana Dimel, termed Hardison as week-to-week as they prepare to face off against the Hilltoppers.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly Akharaiyi - Finds end zone Akharaiyi had six catches for 126 yards and a score versus Sam Houston on Wednesday.

Impact It's been an uneven season for Akharaiyi. He has three games with over 100 yards and a touchdown, and three games with six yards or fewer.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deion Hankins - Rushes for TD Hankins ran 15 times for 117 yards and a touchdown against Sam Houston on Wednesday.

Impact With a third-string quarterback under center, the Miners have turned to Hankins to power the offense. It's been going well. Over his last four games Hankins has 65 carries for 382 yards and two touchdowns.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE