UTEP focuses on the red zone and the third down attack
UTEP focuses on the red zone and the third down attack
UTEP has not been particularly successful in the state of Colorado throughout its history, and this season the number of wins and losses was the same.
The Miners will look to put all that right when they travel to face their old Western Athletic Conference rival Colorado, who has a 14-3 record against UTEP in Fort Collins.
Both teams are off to a slow start this season, although Colorado State has beaten nearby Northern Colorado in between its power conference losses to No. 1 Texas and Colorado of the Big 12.
More: CUSA Football Table 2024
The Miners took a step forward defensively last week and will now look to mirror that offensively, as they rank in the bottom quarter of the country in most offensive stats.
UTEP miners
Where: El Paso
Record 2024: 0-3
strand: Lost 6
trainer: Scotty Walden, first season (34-23 career)
Total offense: 321.0 yards per game (112th)
Total defense: 432.3 yards per game (114th)
Crime of the miners
The Miners have been among the worst in the country on third down and in the red zone, and that’s largely due to their inability to run the football consistently. At the root of the problem is a rebuilt offensive line with five new starters that is still learning its way.
A big step forward was made in eliminating penalties last week, so the focus this week is on better execution in certain situations. Quarterback Skyler Locklear was able to find playmakers Kam Thomas and Jaden Smith when he had time.
Defending the miners
UTEP is coming off its best defensive game of the Walden era against Liberty, when it was significantly better against the running attack despite having perhaps the best offensive line left on the schedule. UTEP was pretty decent at sacking the quarterback, as it has seven, but only two hurries aside from those where more pressure will be key.
Next on the to-do list is to intercept a pass, since the Miners don’t have one yet.
Injury update
UTEP linebacker Jalen Rayam is out indefinitely with a “lower-body injury” and will miss at least the first part of the year. Juan Camacho Jr. is out with an arm injury.
Players in focus
Skyler Locklear, quarterback
He’s impressed with his toughness, but now needs to fix his mistakes a week after two interceptions. He’s completed two-thirds of his passes, so he’s accurate when he has time.
Kory Chapman, S
The senior Spur (a hybrid safety/linebacker) leads the team in tackles and recorded his first UTEP sack last week against Liberty. He has established himself as the big hitter.
Dorian Hopkins, LB
He was not in the starting lineup to start the year but was forced into the lineup after Rayam was injured and has been a revelation, tying with Chapman for the team lead in tackles.
Key statistics
66.3 Skyler Locklear’s completion percentage, the best in Conference USA.
2013 The last time these former conference rivals played each other. Colorado State beat UTEP 59-42 in 2013.
3 of 14. UTEP’s third-down conversion offense last week against Liberty. UTPE ranks 121st out of 133 schools in the FBS in third-down conversion rate (27.5%).
The Colorado State Rams
Where: Fort Collins, Co.
Record 2024: 1-2
strand: Lost 1
trainer: Jay Norvell, third season (8-16 at Colorado State, 42-44 career)
Total offense: 319.3 yards per game (112th)
Total defense: 292.5 yards per game (51st)
Rams Attack
Colorado State hasn’t thrown the ball well this year and ranks 117th in the nation this year, but quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is good and receiver Tory Horton is elite. Horton is battling an injury and likely won’t play, according to coach Jay Norvell’s press conference.
Tailback Justin Norton was the engine this year, as he reached 227 yards in three games.
Rams Defense
Colorado State struggled defensively this season in losses to No. 1 Texas and Colorado, which always happens when a team moves up a division.
The Rams have just two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery this season, so playmaking has been a problem. Their two best tacklers, Buom Jock and Chase Wilson, are linebackers, and that’s always a good sign that the defense is doing a good job clearing the way.
Injury update
Horton, a first-team All-Mountain West receiver last year, is questionable due to a groin injury and was deemed unlikely to play in the weekly press conference.
Players in focus
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, QB
The sophomore earned honorable mention All-Conference honors last year and has completed 62% of his passes for 261 yards and a touchdown this season.
Justin Marshall, RB
The freshman opened his season with a 106-yard game against a now No. 1-ranked Texas team, and Marshall now has 173 yards on 35 attempts (a 4.9-yard average).
Boom Jock, LB
The sophomore is the team’s leading tackler with 16 after three games.
Key statistics
25-10 is Colorado State’s record against its old rival UTEP from the Western Athletic Conference.
7 The Rams have more home games this year than ever before in program history. UTEP has five home games this year.
100 percent of the time the opposing team has scored a touchdown in the red zone. They are 10-10 against the Rams. UTEP has scored touchdowns on 3 of 8 red zone trips.
