Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. UTEP Miners - News - November 04, 2023 | FOX Sports

Western Kentucky vs

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UTEP

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・November 5, 2023 November 05 Nov 05

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Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX

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

ImpactSince 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 yardsHankins ran 16 times for 67 yards against WKU on Saturday.

ImpactHankins 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 yardsBurgess ran 15 times for 86 yards Saturday versus WKU.

ImpactBurgess 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 againMcConnell went 14-for-24 for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against WKU on Saturday.

ImpactThe 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

Malachi Corley - Catches TDCorley caught four passes for 10 yards and a touchdown versus UTEP on Saturday.

ImpactThis was not a Corley issue. For whatever reason, the Hilltoppers couldn't solve UTEP through the air. Austin Reed went 11-for-20 for 102 yards with one touchdown, which went to Corley. The score salvaged his day, and this should prove a fluke.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Elijah Young - Rushes for two touchdownsYoung ran 12 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns against UTEP on Saturday.

ImpactThis is odd. It's unusual for a WKU back to have 12 rushing attempts, much less run for over 100 yards. Young carried the Hilltoppers offense this week, which may get him more touches going forward, but one assumes this remains a pass-first offense that just needed to rely on the run this one time.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Austin Reed - Worst game of the seasonReed went 11-for-20 for 102 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against UTEP on Saturday.

ImpactAs per usual, the Hilltoppers went out there and won with...running the ball? This was a strange game for the WKU passing offense and Reed. He had previously not thrown fewer than 34 passes in a game, and hadn't had fewer than 207 yards. One assumes this won't happen again. Otherwise, something weird is happening for the Hilltoppers.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE