New Mexico takes on UTEP in MWC play

Sep 28, 2026, 05:45 am

UTEP (1-3) at New Mexico (3-1), Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. EDT.

Opening Line: New Mexico by 21.5. Against the spread: New Mexico 4-0, UTEP 1-3.

How to watch: MW+

Key stats

New Mexico Offense

Overall: 359.8 yards per game (100th in FBS)

Passing: 156.3 yards per game (127th)

Rushing: 203.5 yards per game (30th)

Scoring: 39 points per game (27th)

New Mexico Defense

Overall: 252 yards per game (15th in FBS)

Passing: 168.3 yards per game (27th)

Rushing: 83.8 yards per game (15th)

Scoring: 11.5 points per game (8th)

UTEP Offense

Overall: 265.3 yards per game (136th in FBS)

Passing: 137 yards per game (133rd)

Rushing: 128.3 yards per game (110th)

Scoring: 18.8 points per game (127th)

UTEP Defense

Overall: 373.5 yards per game (93rd in FBS)

Passing: 219.3 yards per game (84th)

Rushing: 154.3 yards per game (93rd)

Scoring: 36.5 points per game (134th)

UTEP ranks 137th in third down percentage, converting 25% of the time. New Mexico ranks 39th on defense, allowing its opponents at convert at 32.1%.

New Mexico leads the FBS with a +14 turnover margin.

UTEP is 135th in FBS in red zone offense, scoring on 58.3% of trips. New Mexico's red zone defense ranks 33rd at 75%.

UTEP ranks 102nd in the FBS with an average time of possession of 28:54, compared to New Mexico's 4th-ranked average of 34:47.

Team leaders

New Mexico

Passing: Toa Fa'avae, 390 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 47.7 completion percentage

Rushing: Scottre Humphrey, 285 yards on 57 carries, 5 TDs

Receiving: Cade Keith, 169 yards on 10 catches, 1 TD

UTEP

Passing: E.J. Colson, 496 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 66.2 completion percentage

Rushing: Tavorus Jones, 196 yards on 40 carries, 1 TD

Receiving: Carver Cheeks, 143 yards on 10 catches, 3 TDs

Last game

New Mexico won 42-18 over New Mexico State on Sept. 26. Fa'avae passed for 177 yards on 10-of-17 attempts (58.8%) with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 11 times for 57 yards. Humphrey carried the ball 19 times for 104 yards and scored two touchdowns. Bailen George had three receptions for 102 yards.

UTEP lost 33-7 to Oregon State on Sept. 26. Colson led UTEP with 119 yards on 16-of-23 passing (69.6%) for one touchdown and one interception. Jones had 34 rushing yards on 10 carries, adding one reception for zero yards. Jaden Smith had eight receptions for 62 yards.

Next game

New Mexico plays at Hawaii on Oct. 17. UTEP hosts Nevada on Oct. 10.