G5 Football Daily

A Last-Second Field Goal Pushed UTEP Past Sam Houston On Wednesday

Freshman Buzz Flabiano put the Miners ahead in the closing moments

Joe Londergan

© GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The 2023 season hasn't exactly gone the way that the UTEP Miners would like. However, they salvaged some late-season momentum, and pride, on Wednesday night with a road win against the Sam Houston Bearkats in Huntsville, Texas.

The Miners are now winners of two of their last three contests as CUSA's 2023 midweek schedule concludes.

These were the biggest takeaways from UTEP's third win of the season. 

A Perfect Night For Flabiano

UTEP's redshirt freshman kicker Buzz Flabiano likely has a CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week nod coming to him. Flabiano hit all three of his field goal attempts on Wednesday, including the 32-yarder to win the game. Flabiano also hit all four of his extra point attempts on the evening.

McConnell is 2-1 As UTEP's Starter

Miners' sophomore quarterback Cade McConnell assumed the starting job earlier this month and the results have been mostly positive. He's won two of his three starts and thrown for 647 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in that stretch. 

McConnell has taken over for senior Gavin Hardison, who has missed the last four games. McConnell was quick to credit the performance of his teammates in the win, including 117 yards on 15 carries from running back Deion Hankins. 

Sam Houston Still Winless

This Sunday will mark a calendar year since the Bearkats last one a football game. 2023 marks SHSU's first season as a member of the FBS and their first as a member of CUSA.

Sam Houston fall to 0-8 on the season. They are the only winless team in FBS, currently after Nevada won their first game of the season last weekend.  

The Miners moved to 3-6 on the season. They'll have contests against Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, and Liberty to close the season.

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Joe Londergan
JOE LONDERGAN

Joe covers college sports from the Group of Five ranks and beyond. He has worked in the sports industry since 2008, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville, and a Master's degree from Seattle University.

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