DALLAS - UTEP and New Mexico State, a pair of rivals set on a collision course for next week, each picked up important wins on Wednesday night. The Miners took down FIU 27-14 on the road, while the Aggies knocked off Sam Houston 27-13 at home. UTEP hosts New Mexico State next Wednesday night at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in the 100th edition of the Battle of I-10.

MINERS SPOIL VICE NIGHT, BEAT FIU 27-14 | Box Score
UTEP (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) traveled to Miami and spoiled Vice Night, picking up a very much-needed win, 27-14 over FIU (3-4, 0-4 CUSA) on Wednesday night.  UTEP raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and held on to pick up the victory, their first since Week 1 in a win over Incarnate Word. WR Kelly Akharaiyi had a career night for the Miners, hauling in eight catches for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while QB Cade McConnell completed 11-17 passes for 262 yards in his first career start. Defensively, DE Praise Amaewhule became the UTEP program-leader in career sacks, with 21.5 (previous record was 20.0 held by Gonzalo Floyd since 1993). Amaewhule recorded a pair of sacks in the win for the Miners, who picked up their first-ever win in the state of Florida and second-ever in the Eastern Time Zone (now 2-26-1 in program history in that situation). DE Maurice Westmoreland had a monster performance as well for UTEP, as he recorded six total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.



AGGIES ROLL, ABOVE .500 WITH 27-13 WIN | Box Score
New Mexico State (4-3, 2-1 CUSA) beat Sam Houston (0-6, 0-3 CUSA) 27-13 at home on Wednesday night to close out the Week 7 CUSA slate. QB Diego Pavia had a very productive night for the Aggies, both with his arm and his legs. He completed 20-36 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and 15 carries for 115 yards and another score. WR Trent Hudson caught three passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the win. New Mexico State opened the game with 27 unanswered points and held a 27-0 halftime lead. Sam Houston cut the lead to 27-13 and appeared to be headed for a late fourth quarter touchdown to cut it to a one-score game, but New Mexico State’s defense forced a turnover on downs inside the red zone. Defensively, the Aggies were led by DB Myles Rowser, who finished with a team-high 10 tackles.



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