UTEP at Kennesaw State - 2025 Matchup Preview
UTEP logo UTEP Miners at Kennesaw State OwlsKennesaw State logo
Tuesday, October 28th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium - Kennesaw, GA  (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)
UTEP coming off BYE
Our Line: UTEP -9   (SP+ UTEP -2.5)

Projected Score: UTEP: 26 - KENN: 17 (43)
UTEP Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
UTEP Travel: 1280 miles, 2 hrs behind
Owls (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Jerry Mack (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 15 - 26 (27 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#112)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
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
Kennesaw State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Kennesaw State at Wake Forest+17.551.5L 9 - 10UY
Sat 9/6 Kennesaw State at Indiana+35.551.5L 9 - 56ON
Sat 9/13 Kennesaw State vs Merrimack-17.544.5W 27 - 13UN
Sat 9/20 Kennesaw State vs Arkansas State+6.056.5
Sat 9/27 Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee-5.5
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Kennesaw State vs Louisiana Tech+9
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/21 Kennesaw State vs Florida International+13.5
Tue 10/28 Kennesaw State vs UTEP+9
Sat 11/8 Kennesaw State at New Mexico State+7.5
Sat 11/15 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State+8.5
Sat 11/22 Kennesaw State vs Missouri State-1.5
Sat 11/29 Kennesaw State at Liberty+19

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kennesaw State'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
KENN#110 (.08)30% (133)1531% (130)2.34 (121)14029% (131)1762.71 (122)#114 (.25)49% (123)26.344% (95)55% (131)4.21 (95)6810
 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
KENN#134 (-.04)31% (133)31% (134)2.16 (134)11632% (129)1363.5 (103)#93 (.21)46% (114)45% (91)48% (122)4.15 (102)46.31.51



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
KENN Defense326.31348.7%4.210 - - - - - 57%43%44%55%11%.25
 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
KENN Offense3152730.2%2.711163161401763.953%47%31%29%21%.08

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
Kennesaw State326:0516.336%50%868108.73024.3
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)
KENN Defense357% (116)44% (95) - - - - .26 (121)3.04 (96)75% (80)7% (110)1.22 (115)
 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)
KENN Offense353% (57)31% (130)35.71403.93 (95).02 (103)2.34 (121)50% (124)15% (131)1.22 (26)

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)
KENN Defense343% (23)55% (131) - - - - - - 0.24 (76)1.2 (8)22% (134)19% (23)-.15 (6)4% (113)1.9 (56)
 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)
KENN Offense347% (78)29% (131)15.328.3175.76.211.51 (123)2 (60).15 (101)2 (8)49% (136)33% (54).49 (42)6% (79)2.1 (56)

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   Kennesaw State: -16.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -14.0   Kennesaw State: -16.5




Kennesaw State's Power Ratings
Kennesaw State's Power Rating: -16.45 #134
Kennesaw State's Offense Rating: -0.78 #136
Kennesaw State's Defense Rating: 21.37 #122
2025 Talent Rating: 358.00 #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Kennesaw State's 2025 Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Kennesaw State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.5 #123
Kennesaw State's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.6 #135
Kennesaw State's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #85

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 26
Kennesaw State 17


Total Points: 43

Kennesaw State Scoring
Offense: 15 PPG
Offense at Home: 27
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Kennesaw State's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/09UTEP43Kennesaw State35UTEPUTEP -4.5UTEP42.0Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kennesaw State001 Overs
UTEP110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#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 5 straight
UTEP has lost 3 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
CategoryCatKENNUTEP
OverallOver#108#86
OffenseOff#109#101
DefenseDef#92#74
Special TeamsST#95#73
PassingPass#105#107
RushingRush#79#41
Run BlockRBLK#115#88
Pass BlockPBLK#110#91
Route RunningWR Rt#93#96
TacklingTkl#96#1
Run DefenseR Def#77#76
Pass Rush DefPRush#83#32
Coverage DefCov#102#92

Previous Matchups
UTEP beat Kennesaw State last year (43-35)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: UTEP | KENN
Depth Chart: UTEP | KENN
Rosters: UTEP | KENN
(#134) Kennesaw State Info
Power Rating: -16.45 #134
Offense Rating: -0.78 #136
Defense Rating: 21.37 #122
Overall SP+ Rating: -16.5 #123
Offense SP+ Rating: 12.6 #135
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #85
Talent Rating: 358.00 #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 30%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.71 PPO
Awful Run Success 31%
Awful Pass Success 29%
Poor OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 49%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.21 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 55%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Kennesaw State has lost 4 straight
Kennesaw State has lost 3 straight at Home
Record at home: 1 - 0 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

Kennesaw State Notes
(8/16) QB D. Williams (GSU) will start, S Williams #2
(4/7) WR Benyard best on team. Rest are JAG-
(4/7) RB Bennett (Rice) looks good, big FCS RB '23
(3/24) RB complete rebuild. 2 portals, meh
(3/24) OL 2/5 back, awful LY. 2 exp'd portals.
(3/24) Def awful, return a lot. 6 portal adds, 4 DBs
(3/24) HC Mack was Tenn RB coach, NFL exp
(3/24) Year 2 in FBS will be rough, upset Liberty LY.

Kennesaw State Highlights
Kennesaw State is Undefeated at Home

Kennesaw State offense is explosive (#5)
Kennesaw State Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Kennesaw State defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#)

Kennesaw State Deficiencies
Kennesaw State has a really bad Offense
Kennesaw State Commits a Lot of Penalties (#118)
Kennesaw State offense is really bad (#133)
Kennesaw State Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#134)
Kennesaw State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#122)
Kennesaw State run game is really bad (#130)
Kennesaw State pass game is really bad (#131)
Kennesaw State has a bad defense (#123)


  
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

Kennesaw State's OC Mitch Militello
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dexter Williams II (Tr)225242%236014.5
Amari Odom223073%284119.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Coleman Bennett (Tr)3213914.326
Alexander Diggs2711804.425
Dexter Williams II (Tr)208614.316
Amari Odom172711.612
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Gabriel Benyard12208117.347
Christian Moss11122011.125
Lyndon Ravare (Tr)7106015.138
Tykeem Wallace333011.019

View Kennesaw State's Full Roster
Kennesaw State's DC Marc Mattioli
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Baron Hopson223000
Caleb Offord (Tr)162003
Milon Jones162010
Garland Benyard141010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elijah Hill42210
Roderick Daniels (Tr)51101
JeRico Washington Jr.92101
Kody Jones (Tr)61101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Offord (Tr)162003
Roderick Daniels (Tr)51101
JeRico Washington Jr.92101