Week 14 delivers a must-win for bowl eligibility as the Delaware Blue Hens (5-6, 3-4 CUSA) host the struggling UTEP Miners (2-9, 1-6 CUSA) at Tubby Raymond Field. Delaware, in their inaugural FBS season under Ryan Carty, can punch a postseason ticket with a victory, building on a gritty transition from CAA independence. UTEP, mired in a rebuild under Scotty Walden, seeks to avoid a third straight 2-10 finish after a brutal non-con slate. The Hens’ balanced attack (top-50 scoring offense) should exploit the Miners’ porous defense (bottom-20 nationally), but UTEP’s desperation could spark a trap—expect wind-swept physicality, senior day emotions, and a first-ever FBS meeting in Newark.
Venue Location
The battle is at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. This 22,000-seat on-campus fortress, opened in 1967 and renovated in 2007, honors legendary coach Tubby Raymond (300+ wins) and features a passionate “Hens on 3!” crowd. It’s UTEP’s “away” trek (a 2,000-mile haul from El Paso), where Delaware boasts a 10-2 home record in 2025—perfect for a blue-and-gold sendoff.
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ (streaming). Radio: UTEP’s 600 ESPN El Paso; Delaware’s 91.3 FM (Blue Hens Radio Network).
Weather Updates
Newark’s late-November forecast hints at blustery conditions that could favor defenses and punters. Expect partly cloudy skies with patchy rain possible, highs around 45°F (7°C) and lows near 32°F (0°C). Winds: West at 15-25 mph with higher gusts, 20% chance of light showers. Chilly and raw—synthetic turf stays firm, but crosswinds may curve kicks and limit deep balls, boosting Delaware’s ground game (top-40 rush YPG).
Injury Report
UTEP’s depth has been tested by a tough schedule, with the secondary hit hardest. Delaware enters healthier, though a key corner clouds coverage plans. Updates as of November 27.
UTEP Miners:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Skyler Locklear | QB | Probable | Shoulder (limited vs. NMSU; full practice) | Starter (1,850 pass yds, 12 TDs); mobility key—if limited, freshman backup drops efficiency (team 1-5 without full QB health). |
| Isaiah Urrutia | RB | Questionable | Ankle (exited early vs. NMSU) | Lead rusher (650 yds, 5 TDs); thins backfield in 115th-ranked ground game (110 YPG). |
| Soma Vaaulu | WR | Out | Knee (midseason) | Top target (40 rec, 550 yds); forces underneath routes amid 120th pass offense. |
| Taj Parks | LB | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending) | Tackle leader (60 stops); weakens run D (bottom-20, 200 yds allowed/game). |
Overall: 10 players limited/out per CUSA reports; O-line allowed 38 sacks (125th nationally).
Delaware Blue Hens:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Aidan Lee | CB | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. Jax State) | Slot corner (2 INTs); if out, strains secondary (75th pass D)—freshmen filling gaps. |
| Jalen Ritter | RB | Probable | Hamstring (rotated last two) | Workhorse (850 yds, 9 TDs); full reps—backs lead top-40 rush attack. |
| Jack Shields | QB | Available | No issues (cleared post-bye) | Dual-threat (2,200 pass yds, 16 TDs; 600 rush); Hens 4-1 with Shields 200+ total yds. |
| Chris Tyree | WR | Out | Lower body (Oct. 25) | Speed option (30 rec, 450 yds); boosts slot targets. |
Overall: Five limited; front seven stout (top-50 havoc rate).
Player Matchups
Delaware’s efficiency (top-50 SP+ offense) overwhelms UTEP’s youth (bottom-30 defense). Edges lean Hens, but Miners’ fight tests resolve.
UTEP QB Skyler Locklear (probable) vs. Delaware Secondary (Aidan Lee questionable): Locklear’s arm (1,850 yds) targets checkdowns. Hens’ DBs force TOs (12 INTs) but allow 250 pass yds/game. Edge: Delaware—Hens 5-1 forcing 2+ turnovers; UTEP 0-6 with 3+ giveaways.
Delaware QB Jack Shields vs. UTEP Pass Rush: Shields’ mobility (600 rush yds) extends plays. Miners’ front (bottom-60 sacks) pressures 18% dropbacks. Edge: Shields—Hens 4-2 exceeding 300 total yds/game.
UTEP RB Isaiah Urrutia (questionable) vs. Delaware Front Seven: Urrutia’s burst (650 yds) tests LBs. Hens stuff runs (top-40, 120 yds allowed). Edge: Delaware—Hens 5-0 under 130 rush yds allowed.
Delaware RB Jalen Ritter vs. UTEP LB Core (Taj Parks out): Ritter’s power (850 yds) exploits gaps. Miners vulnerable (200 yds allowed). Edge: Ritter—expect 120+ yds; UTEP 1-7 vs. 150+ rush foes.
UTEP: Non-con win only; toughest CUSA slate (SOS 30th).
Delaware: Transition success with wins over FIU, Jax State.
Recent Team Forms
UTEP Miners: Walden’s Miners cratered with a 34-31 L to NMSU (Nov. 23), scoring 20 PPG in skid amid turnovers (15 given). Offense stagnant (22.6 PPG), D leaky (27.6 allowed). Morale: Avoid infamy—1-4 ATS road.
Delaware Blue Hens: Carty’s Hens stumbled 28-24 at Jax State (Nov. 16), but earlier W over FIU (31-20) showed grit. Balanced (28 PPG scored), D opportunistic (14 TOs). Morale: Bowl on line—3-2 SU home.
Series History
First-ever FBS meeting in Delaware’s CUSA debut—no prior history (FCS vs. FBS rare pre-2025). Neutral ground: N/A. Trends: N/A, but Delaware 4-1 vs. sub-.300 teams; UTEP 1-8 road. Potential for Hens’ home dominance in inaugural tilt.
Betting Trends
UTEP: 4-7 ATS (36.4%); 2-4 ATS as 4+ road dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 5/7 away. 1-9 SU as underdog (10%). Vs. CUSA: 1-6 SU/ATS.
Delaware: 6-5 ATS (54.5%); 3-2 ATS as home favorites. 5-6 O/U; overs in 4/6 home. 4-2 SU as fave (66.7%). First FBS bowl hunt: 3-2 last 5 ATS.
Matchup Trends: Limited data; favorites 4-1 SU in Delaware home openers. Overs 6/10 CUSA late-season (avg. 56 pts). Advanced: FPI gives Delaware 68% win prob. Delaware 50th offensive SP+; UTEP 120th overall.
Game Odds
Texas-El Paso Miners 55
Delaware Blue Hens – 4
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
