UTEP at Sam Houston - 2025 Matchup Preview
UTEP logo UTEP Miners at Sam Houston BearkatsSam Houston logo
Wednesday, October 15th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Bowers Stadium - Huntsville, TX  (Conference USA)

 
Miners (1 - 2) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Scotty Walden (3 - 9)
Avg Score : 23 - 24 (13 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 4.6 (#52)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
SHSU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: UTEP -9   (SP+ UTEP -4.5)

Projected Score: UTEP: 31 - SHSU: 22 (52)
UTEP Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
UTEP Travel: 652 miles, 1 hrs behind
Bearkats (0 - 3) (0 - 3 - 0)
Coach Phil Longo (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 22 - 39 (22 - 39 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2.5 - 9.5 (#132)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
 
UTEP's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 UTEP at Utah State+3.559.5L 16 - 28UN
Sat 9/6 UTEP vs UT Martin-7.549.5W 42 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 UTEP at Texas+39.552.5L 10 - 27UY
Sat 9/20 UTEP vs UL Monroe-5.547.5
Sat 9/27 UTEP vs Louisiana Tech-2.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/8 UTEP vs Liberty+2.5
Wed 10/15 UTEP at Sam Houston-9
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 UTEP at Kennesaw State-9
Sat 11/8 UTEP vs Jacksonville State-8.5
Sat 11/15 UTEP at Missouri State-8.5
Sat 11/22 UTEP vs New Mexico State-9.5
Sat 11/29 UTEP at Delaware+1.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for UTEP's Schedule
Sam Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Sam Houston at Western Kentucky+9.560.5L 24 - 41ON
Fri 8/29 Sam Houston vs UNLV+13.558.5L 21 - 38ON
Sat 9/6 Sam Houston at Hawai'i+7.047.5L 20 - 37ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Sam Houston at Texas+40.551.5
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/2 Sam Houston at New Mexico State+7
Thu 10/9 Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State+3
Wed 10/15 Sam Houston vs UTEP+9
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech+14
Sat 11/8 Sam Houston at Oregon State+18.5
Sat 11/15 Sam Houston vs Delaware+7.5
Sat 11/22 Sam Houston at Middle Tennessee-1
Sat 11/29 Sam Houston vs Florida International+8.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 7, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 3, Poor: 0

Predictions for Sam Houston's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UTEP#88 (.14)37% (115)22.740% (100)1.86 (134)11635% (112)2234.36 (49)#39 (.04)40% (71)2438% (63)42% (85)3.35 (61)45.31.30.7
SHSU#123 (.05)37% (111)21.738% (105)2.79 (87)13637% (108)1853.14 (113)#85 (.16)44% (103)38.740% (72)49% (118)4.38 (100)6811.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UTEP#121 (.07)37% (124)38% (118)2.8 (106)12136% (117)2002.81 (132)#46 (.13)40% (42)40% (42)39% (46)3.85 (78)50.91.61.5
SHSU#115 (.1)39% (107)41% (100)3.18 (44)18038% (105)1682.97 (129)#31 (.11)42% (70)47% (105)37% (27)3.84 (75)37.91.22.1



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UTEP Offense322.71336.9%4.361.3153381162234.243%57%40%35%16%.14
SHSU Defense338.738.744.5%4.381.7 - - - - - 44%56%40%49%16%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UTEP Defense32427.539.8%3.350.7 - - - - - 57%43%38%42%18%.04
SHSU Offense321.721.737.4%3.141183211361854.244%55%38%37%19%.05

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
UTEP324:0515.330%40%5.745.31.30.79.33.3026.6
Sam Houston328:0917.714%30%76811.752127.4
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UTEP Offense343% (114)40% (100)27.7115.74.24 (79).08 (88)1.86 (134)67% (86)11% (100)1.13 (37)
SHSU Defense344% (30)40% (72) - - - - -.08 (24)2.97 (89)69% (66)9% (80)0.68 (10)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UTEP Defense357% (112)38% (63) - - - - -.02 (43)2.5 (42)47% (18)13% (32)0.92 (69)
SHSU Offense344% (103)38% (105)32.3135.74.24 (79).06 (93)2.79 (87)73% (66)12% (114)1.13 (39)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UTEP Offense357% (27)35% (112)20.733.7222.76.610.85 (54)3 (92).21 (87)1.5 (71)28% (46)24% (110).4 (54)5% (60)2.6 (9)
SHSU Defense356% (108)49% (118) - - - - - - 2 (56).36 (110)1.6 (89)31% (90)36% (116).17 (47)7% (45)1.8 (52)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UTEP Defense343% (26)42% (85) - - - - - - 1 (87).13 (44)1.4 (38)30% (101)28% (64).11 (32)5% (88)1.4 (8)
SHSU Offense355% (37)37% (108)18.73118569.92 (102)3 (92).07 (121)1.3 (112)40% (130)22% (116)-.07 (131)7% (110)1.7 (105)

UTEP's Power Ratings
UTEP's Power Rating: -0.57 #81
UTEP's Offense Rating: 4.82 #107
UTEP's Defense Rating: 5.38 #57
2025 Talent Rating: 662.00 #82
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
UTEP's 2025 Expected Record: 7.4 - 4.6
UTEP's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.0 #119
UTEP's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.2 #117
UTEP's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.8 #102

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -0.57   Sam Houston: -16.075

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -14.0   Sam Houston: -18.6




Sam Houston's Power Ratings
Sam Houston's Power Rating: -16.075 #125
Sam Houston's Offense Rating: -0.11 #132
Sam Houston's Defense Rating: 18.43 #113
2025 Talent Rating: 476.00 #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Sam Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 2.5 - 9.5
Sam Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -18.6 #126
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.9 #126
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.3 #117

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


UTEP Scoring
Offense: 22.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 13
Defense: 24 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.5

UTEP's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
UTEP 31
Sam Houston 22


Total Points: 52

Sam Houston Scoring
Offense: 21.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 21.7
Defense: 38.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 38.7

Sam Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 3
Record vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/03UTEP21Sam Houston41Sam HoustonSam Houston -10Sam Houston49.5Over
202310/25Sam Houston34UTEP37UTEPSam Houston State -4UTEP38.5Over
200309/27UTEP59Sam Houston14UTEP
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Sam Houston112 Overs
UTEP210 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 20 - 20 - 10 - 1
Road Teams2 - 12 - 01 - 01 - 0

(#81) UTEP Info
Power Rating: -0.57 #81
Offense Rating: 4.82 #107
Defense Rating: 5.38 #57
Overall SP+ Rating: -14.0 #119
Offense SP+ Rating: 19.2 #117
Defense SP+ Rating: 32.8 #102
Talent Rating: 662.00 #82
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Expected Record: 7.4 - 4.6

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 43%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.36 PPO
Poor Run Success 40%
Awful Pass Success 35%
Bad OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 40%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.35 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 38%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

UTEP has lost 4 straight
UTEP has lost 2 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 2 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

UTEP Notes
(8/30) Run game/Off awful vs USU. QB Nelson bad
(8/21) QB1 M Nelson (BSU) beats Locklear for starter
(8/2) 8 new Def starters, but 3* croots as talent rises
(8/2) Def replaces most, 19 portal adds, better talent
(7/24) WR #1 Odom back, depth a ? 6 portals (3 FCS)
(7/24) K Thomas all purpose weapon, All CUSA as PR
(7/12) Last year in CUSA, join MWC in '26
(6/22) Proj #1 CB J Shelton arrested/left UTEP in June
(3/24) RB rebuild. Wilson (Char) a good add
(3/24) OL bad LY, 2/5 back, 2 more with a lot of exp

UTEP Highlights
UTEP Defense Sacks the QB a lot


UTEP Deficiencies
UTEP Can Not Run the Ball (#112)
UTEP offense is really bad (#115)
UTEP Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#123)
UTEP run game is really bad (#100)
UTEP pass game is really bad (#112)
UTEP offense is bad on 3rd Downs

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatSHSUUTEP
OverallOver#98#86
OffenseOff#110#101
DefenseDef#71#74
Special TeamsST#43#73
PassingPass#104#107
RushingRush#103#41
Run BlockRBLK#91#88
Pass BlockPBLK#96#91
Route RunningWR Rt#103#96
TacklingTkl#96#1
Run DefenseR Def#48#76
Pass Rush DefPRush#59#32
Coverage DefCov#86#92

Previous Matchups
Sam Houston beat UTEP last year (41-21)
UTEP beat Sam Houston in 2023 (37-34)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bowers Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: UTEP | SHSU
Depth Chart: UTEP | SHSU
Rosters: UTEP | SHSU
(#125) Sam Houston Info
Power Rating: -16.075 #125
Offense Rating: -0.11 #132
Defense Rating: 18.43 #113
Overall SP+ Rating: -18.6 #126
Offense SP+ Rating: 16.9 #126
Defense SP+ Rating: 35.3 #117
Talent Rating: 476.00 #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Expected Record: 2.5 - 9.5

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.14 PPO
Poor Run Success 38%
Poor Pass Success 37%
Poor OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 44%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.38 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 40%
Awful Pass Def Success 49%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Sam Houston has lost 6 straight
Sam Houston has lost 2 straight at Home
Record at home: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Sam Houston Notes
(8/23) QB1? Watson running air raid likely not good
(7/13) Home games 70 miles off campus (Shell Energy)
(7/11) QB Mettauer big arm, was Longo's pick at Wisc
(7/11) Over Bet Watch. Def down, Pass Off up
(6/6) Not a fan of HC Phil Long hire at all.
(6/6) Could be a bottom Def in CFB, DBs are JUCOs
(5/23) SHSU was 6-0 in 1 score games LY
(3/26) QB Watson JAG w/ mobility. No depth exp
(3/26) RB complete rebuild. 2 portals inc. Green (IU)
(3/26) WR some exp, replacing a lot. 2 portal adds

Sam Houston Highlights

Sam Houston Deficiencies
Sam Houston has a really bad Offense at Home
Sam Houston offense is really bad (#111)
Sam Houston Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#112)
Sam Houston offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#113)
Sam Houston run game is really bad (#105)
Sam Houston pass game is really bad (#108)
Sam Houston offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Sam Houston Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Sam Houston has a bad defense (#103)
Sam Houston has a bad red zone defense (#100)


  
UTEP's OC Mark Cala
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Malachi Nelson (Tr)609663%665536.9
Skyler Locklear1333%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Hahsaun Wilson (Tr)14156111.194
Ashten Emory277222.712
Skyler Locklear337012.363
Kam Thomas163602.317
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kenny Odom19236212.474
Toric Goins Jr.9170118.949
Trevon Tate (Tr)97408.243
Eric Willis III96407.114

View UTEP's Full Roster
UTEP's DC Bobby Daly
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Micah Davey (Tr)312110
Udoka Ezeani (Tr)196221
Xavier Smith190010
Joshua Rudolph (Tr)181100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Udoka Ezeani (Tr)196221
Ashaad Hall (Tr)82221
Elijah Baldwin123201
Micah Davey (Tr)312110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Neil Campbell (Tr)143102
Donte Thompson (Tr)111011
Ashaad Hall (Tr)82221

Sam Houston's OC Zack Patterson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hunter Watson305258%310016.0
Mabrey Mettauer (Tr)203165%177125.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Hunter Watson2410824.555
Landan Brown139417.253
Elijah Green (Tr)247603.211
Alton McCaskill (Tr)117216.552
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Elijah Green (Tr)11124111.335
Grady O'Neill (Tr)665010.829
Malik Phillips660010.022
Tim Burns Jr.159159.059

View Sam Houston's Full Roster
Sam Houston's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Brown (Tr)211003
Emon Allen183001
Antavious Fish (Tr)170000
Chatavies Johnson170000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
AJ Edwards163102
JaMair Diaz (Tr)131110
Tokyo Gordon122100
Chauncey Chidi112100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Brown (Tr)211003
Cecil Powell (Tr)120003
AJ Edwards163102