On a Miami Vice themed night on the campus of FIU complete with home Neon Jerseys and Lamborghini’s parked throughout the stadium the Miners spoiled the 80s themed festivities with an explosive 21 point 1st Quarter and a Sack Party on defense to end a 4 game skid.
The Miners took the opening kickoff and ran the ball on the Panthers defense going 75 yards in 6:00 with Deion Hankins scoring the first touchdown on a 1 yard run putting UTEP up 7-0. Following the Miners stoping FIU on downs Miner back-up quarterback Cade McConnell would begin an air barrage none of the Miner faithful could have seen coming with his first strike hitting Kelly Akharaiyi for touchdowns of 80 yards and 23 yards, and just like that the Miners where up 21-0 after 1 quarter.
Miner receiver Kelly Akharaiyi would have a breakthrough performance catching 8 passes for 223 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Miners were able to use stout defense including 6 sacks of FIU Quarterbacks. Maurice Westmoreland got a game high 3 sacks, while Miner defensive standout Praise Amaeehule would add a sack that would forever etch his name into the UTEP record books, becoming the Miners All-Time leading Sack holder.
UTEP won the turnover battle 2-0, an area that has been a struggle at times during the season, and kicker Buzz Flabiano went 2/4 on field goals with converting from 23 and 37 yards out to push the Miner lead to 27-14.
The Miners now return to the Sun Bowl for the Battle of 1-10 against New Mexico State that will be a Conference Game for the 1st time in over 60 years on a Wednesday night in at home.
Story by Chris Gomez