The environment was the perfect environment for a Conference USA team to turn its season around. There were more national eyeballs than usual for a Wednesday night nationally televised showcase, greatly
enhanced by the scenic nighttime atmosphere of the historic Sun Bowl.
The hosting UTEP Miners struggled mightily offensively leading up to Wednesday, posting just 15.5 points per game against FBS opponents and faring 0-4 in such games. Making the two-time zone trek to El Paso were the Liberty Flames, which experienced similar offensive struggles and concocted an identical 0-4 record vs. FBS opponents. Only one team would notch their first FBS and CUSA win of 2025, and Liberty did that in commanding fashion, leaving West Texas as 19-8 road victors.
UTEP could not jump-start its offense at all in front of its home fans Wednesday night. The Miners benched former 5-star quarterback recruit Malachi Nelson, handing the starting duties to Skyler Locklear — who started nine of 12 UTEP games in 2024. Scotty Walden and his staff then flipped to Nelson, then back to Locklear, and kept rotating quarterbacks until finishing with Locklear in the fourth. Despite the constant rotations, the Miners could not find a solution in a brutal offensive showing.
UTEP managed 153 yards of offense and lost the turnover battle 2-0 to a relentless Liberty defense headlined by middle linebacker Joseph Carter (11 tackles, 1 TFL). The Miners started the game with six consecutive punts — with three-and-outs on five-consecutive possessions in that span. The punting streak was finally interrupted with an interception on a Hail Mary attempt to end the half, and then it resumed in the third quarter. UTEP finished with eight punts, six three-and-outs, two interceptions, and a turnover on downs in the defeat.
However, there was a lone touchdown mixed in with all the offensive futility. Set up by a 44-yard one-handed grab by Kenny Odom on a Locklear heave, the Miners invaded the red zone for the only time all night. Upon reaching there, Locklear scrambled seemingly 70 yards about the pocket and to the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. A successful trick play two-point conversion trimmed the deficit to a manageable 19-8 with 11:39 remaining, but UTEP could not get lightning to strike twice. The Miners only appeared in Liberty territory twice all night — the Hail Mary drive and the touchdown drive, only crossing the Flames’ 40 once.
A much stronger offensive showing was displayed by Jamey Chadwell’s crew which notched points on three-consecutive long drives to kick off the Wednesday night contest. Starting quarterback Ethan Vasko guided a 94-yard touchdown drive immediately out of the gate, finishing on a 2-yard keeper to hand the Flames an early 7-0 lead. However, Liberty never entered the end zone again but inflicted damage through special teams. Kicker Jay Billingsley finished 4-of-5 on the night, sinking field goals from 27, 29, 50, and 41 to keep the game out of reach for the Miners.
Vasko, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous matchup vs. Old Dominion, enjoyed one of his stronger showings since transferring from Coastal Carolina. The junior racked up 243 passing yards on a 19-of-33 showing, refraining from an interception to lead his first victory since Week 1. Liberty is more renowned for a high-powered rushing attack under Chadwell, but the passing game was the impetus behind the five scoring drives. Eleven different Liberty receivers got involved with a reception in a well-balanced effort in El Paso.
UTEP (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) remains winless against FBS opponents this season, and the Miners are on thin ice in terms of bowl eligibility. They must win five of seven to qualify for their first postseason in four years, and they eye an opportunity next Wednesday in a road trip to Sam Houston.
Liberty (2-4, 1-1 CUSA) is back to .500 in the conference standings after a nightmare start to the season. Chadwell’s team won’t leave Virginia again for more than a month, enjoying a three-game homestand which starts with New Mexico State on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
