The Coaching Career Of Jason Cameron - NCAA 25

[JasonForTheWin]

[UTEP Miners Stun Liberty Flames 44-17 in Dominant Road Victory

LYNCHBURG, VA – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) football team delivered a statement performance on Saturday, dismantling the Liberty Flames 44-17 in a game that showcased the Miners’ offensive firepower and defensive tenacity. Quarterback Skyler Locklear led the charge, throwing four touchdown passes, while running back Jevon Jackson powered the ground game in a win that sent shockwaves through college football.

Locklear was nearly unstoppable, completing 28 of 43 passes for 258 yards. Three of his four touchdowns found the hands of wide receiver Emari White, who hauled in 10 catches for a dazzling display of chemistry between the quarterback and his top target. “Skyler’s growth this season has been incredible,” said Offensive Coordinator Mark Cala after the game. “He’s reading defenses better, making smart decisions, and putting the ball where it needs to be. Today was a testament to the progress he’s made.”

On the ground, Jevon Jackson bulldozed his way to 136 yards, consistently churning out tough yards and keeping the Liberty defense on its heels. The Miners’ balanced attack overwhelmed the Flames, who struggled to find answers all afternoon.

However, the victory was tempered by a frightening moment in the second quarter. UTEP wide receiver Trey Smith went up for a contested catch and landed awkwardly on his right leg. The stadium fell silent as trainers rushed to his aid, and Smith was immediately taken off the field. Head Coach Jason Cameron provided a grim update post-game: “It doesn’t look good. Trey’s injury is quite serious, and we’re waiting on further tests. Our hearts are with him right now.”

Defensively, the Miners were equally impressive. Reigning defensive player of the week Maurice Westmoreland added to his highlight reel with a sack on Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter, helping to disrupt the Flames’ rhythm. UTEP’s defense forced three turnovers, including three interceptions off Salter, who completed just 11 of 25 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

“This game shows what happens when you keep your nose to the grindstone,” Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt said. “We didn’t let up, stayed disciplined, and made plays when it mattered.”

Liberty running back Quinton Cooley provided a bright spot for the home team, rushing for 116 yards, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UTEP’s relentless pressure and offensive onslaught.

The Flames, now licking their wounds after a humbling defeat, managed only 17 points despite Salter’s two touchdown passes. The Miners’ 44-point explosion marked their highest output of the season and signaled their potential as a dark horse in the conference.

Next week, UTEP (now 2-1) travels to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State, where they’ll look to build on this momentum. For Liberty (1-2), it’s back to the drawing board as they try to regroup after a lopsided loss on their home turf.

For the Miners, the celebration is bittersweet as they await news on Smith’s condition. But for one afternoon in Lynchburg, UTEP football proved they’re a force to be reckoned with.

[BuckRaven]

Oh man I remember Jim Leavitt from back in the day. Those South Florida teams were really good, they were ranked #2 in the country at one point I think in the old school Big East. Huge win over Liberty too to set the tone of the season

[StormBuck]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonForTheWin

*** I played through this game, and didn't realize that the game doesn't keep game summaries for 1AA schools, so this will be missing a lot.***** UTEP Outlasts Southern Utah in a High-Scoring Battle: 49-37 EL PASO, TX - The UTEP Miners triumphed in a thrilling football contest against Southern Utah, with quarterback Skyler Locklear leading the charge with an impressive five touchdown passes. However, the visiting team kept the game competitive, resulting in a final score of 49-37 in favor of UTEP. Locklear's stellar performance propelled the Miners to victory, despite some struggles on the defensive end. Locklear was the standout star of the game, showcasing his accuracy and skill by completing 24 of 31 passes for an impressive 398 yards. The quarterback had a near-flawless performance, missing only seven targets while delivering five touchdown passes. Backup QB Cade McConnell, however, had a difficult outing, going 4 for 9 and throwing three interceptions. "It's all about stepping up when your number is called," remarked Locklear after the game. "I am proud of how our offense performed, but we still have work to do as a team to iron out our weaknesses." In the rushing game, senior RB Tevin Randle took the lead for UTEP, gaining 81 yards and scoring a touchdown. Starter Jevon Jackson also contributed 74 rushing yards, while Daryon Triche added 42 yards on the ground. UTEP's wide receivers, Jaden Smith and Emari White, proved instrumental in the passing game, both surpassing 100 receiving yards and combining for five touchdowns. While UTEP's offense demonstrated its potency, the team's defensive performance raised concerns. Despite star defensive end Maurice Westmoreland enjoying a career game with four sacks, the Miners struggled to contain Southern Utah's passing attack, allowing over 500 yards through the air. However, a late-game saving grace came in the form of a pick-six by senior free safety Kory Champman, momentarily buoying the defensive backfield. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt addressed the team's defensive challenges, stating, "We need to put on our hard hats and continue putting in the hard work. Today's performance was not up to our standards, and it's our responsibility to improve. We will identify the areas that need attention and work diligently to correct them." The Miners' victory over Southern Utah highlighted their offensive prowess, with Locklear leading the charge with his five touchdown passes. While the defense faced difficulties, UTEP's coaching staff remains focused on addressing those issues and putting forth the necessary effort to improve. As the season progresses, the Miners aim to fine-tune their game and maintain their winning momentum. Next week, the Miner open up conference play as they travel to Lynchburg, VA to take on Liberty. Southern Utah Thunderbirds at UTEP Miners Sep 7, 2024 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH SCORE Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-1) 37 UTEP Miners (1-1) 49 Southern Utah Thunderbirds UTEP Miners PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Skyler Locklear 24-31 398 5 1 Cade McConnell 4-9 39 0 3 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Tevin Randle 8 81 10.1 1 Jevon Jackson 16 74 4.6 0 Daryon Triche 16 42 2.6 0 Skyler Locklear 2 17 8.5 0 Cade McConnell 3 -4 -1.3 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Emari White 6 114 19.0 3 Jaden Smith 5 131 26.2 2 Jevon Jackson 5 41 8.2 0 Trey Goodman 4 63 15.8 0 Judah Ezinwa 4 47 11.8 0 Julian Lopez 2 25 12.5 0 Dillon Goodard 1 11 11.0 0 Javoni Gardere 1 5 5.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Kory Chapman 13 0 1 1 Jaycee Hunter 10 1.0 0 0 Maurice Westmoreland 7 4.0 0 0 Jake Hall 4 0.5 0 0 KD Johnson 4 0.5 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Buzz Flabiano 1-2 4-6 7 25 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Tyler Perez 3 45 15 0 Ashton Nickleberry 2 29 14.5 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Ashton Nickleberry 4 17 4.3 0

Man I absolutely love the box score format you use - super clean!

[Deuce2223]

Yeah no stat keeping for FCS opponents is why I never schedule them even starting out as a 1* or 2* school, I figure there is always regional rivalries to play.. For UTEP, playing against the other Texas schools not in your conference or someone like New Mexico are good non-conference opponents.