Venue & Game Details
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT local)
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Weather: Clear skies, mid-70s, light winds
Team Recent Form
UTEP Miners: Coming off a 19-8 loss to Liberty. The Miners average 316.2 YPG (118th nationally) and just 18.7 PPG (120th). Their defense is mid-tier, allowing 350.8 YPG (59th) and 25.3 PPG (73rd).
Sam Houston Bearkats: Lost a close one 29-27 to Jacksonville State. Offense ranks last in FBS at 279 YPG (131st) and 17 PPG (127th). Defense has been porous, giving up 463.8 YPG (131st) and 39.5 PPG (133rd).
Recent Form (last 3 games):
UTEP: L vs. Liberty (19-8), L vs. New Mexico State (27-24), L vs. FIU (27-20)
Sam Houston: L vs. Jacksonville State (29-27), L vs. Western Kentucky (41-14), L vs. New Mexico State (37-10)
Injury Report
UTEP: QB Malachi Nelson has struggled with turnovers (9 INTs), but no major injury absences reported.
Sam Houston: QB Hunter Watson is healthy and expected to start after a 3-TD performance last week.
Key Player Matchups
Quarterbacks:
Malachi Nelson (UTEP) – 1,163 yards, 8 TD, 9 INT, 54.7% completion.
Hunter Watson (Sam Houston) – 754 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT, plus 208 rushing yards and 2 TDs.
Running Backs:
Hahsaun Wilson (UTEP) – 208 yards, 1 TD.
Alton McCaskill (Sam Houston) – 87 yards last week, 4.5 YPC on the season.
Receivers:
Kenny Odom (UTEP) – 26 catches, 300 yards, 2 TDs.
Chris Reed (Sam Houston) – 3 catches, 63 yards, 2 TDs vs. Jacksonville State.
Series History
This is the first-ever FBS meeting between UTEP and Sam Houston.
Both teams are new rivals in Conference USA play.
Betting Trends
UTEP is 1-4 ATS this season.
Sam Houston is 1-5 ATS this season.
UTEP games have gone Under in 4 of 6 contests.
Sam Houston games have gone Over in 4 of 6 contests.
Score Projection: UTEP 26 – Sam Houston 23
Game Odds
Texas-El Paso Miners – 2.5
Sam Houston Bearkates 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, October 14, 2025
