HOUSTON — Both teams had chances to pick up a win on Wednesday evening a Shell Energy Stadium, but only one was able to celebrate once the clock struck zero.
UTEP fended off a feisty Sam Houston squad searching for its first victory of the season to pull away for a 35-17 win in Conference USA midweek action. The Bearkats (0-7, 0-3) fell to 1-4 all time against the Miners (2-5, 1-2).
Sam Houston went on the march out of the gate Wednesday after forcing a three and out on UTEP's opening possession.
Three straight completions from starting quarterback
Hunter Watson, who went down with an injury in the second quarter, to wide receiver
Chris Reed picked up 49 yards deep into Miner territory. Watson then put the Kats in the end zone when he connected with wide out
Malik Phillips for a strike over the middle that the senior took 20 yards for a 7-0 lead with just over five minutes into the game.
UTEP was able to tie the game when the Bearkats turned the ball over on downs later in the quarter. Three plays and 50 yards later, Miner quarterback Skylar Locklear tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Josh Schuchts.
Locklear gave UTEP the lead at the start of the second when he walked into the end zone untouched from two yards out for a 14-7 lead at the 12:06 mark. Sam Houston was able to trim the lead to four when
Christian Pavon split the uprights for a 26-yard field goal.
Things got a little crazy from there.
The Kat defense forced a turnover on downs inside UTEP territory, but the next play, a fumble gave the ball back to UTEP which Kody Lowe returned to the SHSU 7-yard line. However, the following play Sam Houston got the ball right back when
Emon Allen picked off Locklear at the 4 for his third interception of the season.
Nothing came from the takeaways as UTEP remained in front 14-10 at the half.
The Miners finally ended a lengthy scoring drought by both teams with just over six minutes left in the third quarter on another keeper by Locklear.
That lit a fire under the Sam Houston offense. Coco Brown ripped off a 63-yard run, the longest offensive play of the season, to set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback
Mabrey Mettauer to wide receiver
Lonnie Adkism to make it a 21-17. The Miners added two more touchdowns in the fourth.
The Bearkats have a two week break before hitting the road to play Louisiana Tech in Ruston at Joe Aillet Stadium on Oct. 31.
