Dark times in the Sun Bowl: UTEP falls to New Mexico State in 100th Battle of I-10

EL PASO – Whatever optimism remained for UTEP (2-6) were seemingly extinguished at the Sun Bowl on Wednesday night in a 28-7 loss to New Mexico State (5-3) in the 100th edition of the Battle of I-10. It was the first conference game between the two foes since they were both members of the Borderland Conference in 1961. That meeting? A blowout win for the Aggies. 

The game was tied 7-7 at halftime after a Kevin Hurley one-yard sneak with 12:26 left in the second quarter put the Miners on the scoreboard. The contest was decided in the third quarter when New Mexico State outscored UTEP, 14-0, and outgained them 185 to 24. The Aggies scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half. Their quarterback – Diego Pavia – threw for 186 yards, ran for 96, and accounted for all four of the team’s touchdowns. Montre Watkins added 109 yards.