On October 8, 2025, the Liberty Flames (2-4, 1-1 CUSA) earned a hard-fought 19-8 victory over the UTEP Miners (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, in a Wednesday night Conference USA clash that showcased Liberty’s dominant defense and clock-chewing ground game. Ethan Vasko’s 243 passing yards and a 14-yard rushing touchdown, paired with Jay Billingsley’s four field goals, powered the Flames to their first conference win, while UTEP’s Skyler Locklear provided a late 15-yard TD run to avoid the shutout. Liberty controlled possession for 39:57, outgaining UTEP 403-167 in total yards and forcing two interceptions, including Eldric Griffin’s game-sealing pick with 2:37 left. The Miners’ offense, plagued by two INTs and five sacks allowed, managed just 56 rushing yards—their lowest output of the season. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of player stats and key moments, sourced from ESPN, CBS Sports, The Athletic, and NCAA.com.

Game Overview

Matchup: UTEP Football vs Liberty Football Match Player Stats
Final Score: Liberty Flames 19, UTEP Miners 8
Date: October 8, 2025
Location: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
Attendance: 9,286
Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Weather: 84°F, clear, wind 8 MPH WSW
Umpires: HP – Rodney Burnette, U – Ron Turner, LJ – Jason Simpson, BJ – Larry Whaley
Key Moment: Eldric Griffin’s interception at midfield with 2:37 remaining ended UTEP’s final drive, preserving Liberty’s lead after a 70-yard return by Jiquavious Marshall earlier set up a field goal.

Liberty Flames: Offensive Highlights

Liberty racked up 403 total yards (243 passing, 160 rushing) on 83 plays, converting 3/18 third downs (16.7%) but going 4/5 on fourth (80.0%). The Flames’ 50 rushing attempts wore down UTEP’s defense, with Vaughn Blue’s 75 yards leading a balanced attack. Red-zone struggles (1/4 TDs) forced four field goals, but zero turnovers and 39:57 of possession sealed the win.

Ethan Vasko (QB, #15): 19/33, 243 yards, 7.4 YPA, 0 TD, 0 INT, 68.3 QBR, 14 CAR, 31 YDS, 1 TD (14-YD), +15, 39:57 MIN. Vasko’s 14-yard keeper in the third capped a 75-yard drive, and his 12/18 second-half passing (152 YDS) kept UTEP off balance.
Vaughn Blue (RB, #24): 17 CAR, 75 YDS, 4.4 YPC, 0 TD, long 16, 1 REC, 0 YDS. Blue’s 16-yard burst in Q1 set up Vasko’s TD; his physicality controlled the clock.
Caden Williams (RB, #21): 12 CAR, 36 YDS, 3.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 12.
Eric Smith (RB, #16): 3 CAR, 17 YDS, 5.7 YPC, 0 TD, long 7.
Darius Copeland (WR, #11): 1 CAR, 6 YDS, 6.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 6.
Julian Gray (WR, #1): 3 REC, 63 YDS, 21.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 29. Gray’s 29-yard grab in Q2 sparked a field-goal drive.
Jamari Person (WR, #3): 5 REC, 52 YDS, 10.4 YPC, 0 TD, long 13.
Jaylon Coleman (WR, #0): 1 REC, 31 YDS, 31.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 31. Coleman’s bomb in Q3 set up Billingsley’s 37-yard FG.
Donte Lee Jr. (WR, #9): 2 REC, 28 YDS, 14.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 22.
Austin Henderson (TE, #83): 2 REC, 20 YDS, 10.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 11.
Tyson Mobley (TE, #8): 1 REC, 15 YDS, 15.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 15.
Casey Cain (WR, #2): 1 REC, 14 YDS, 14.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 14.
Caleb Ryan (TE, #48): 1 REC, 10 YDS, 10.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 10.
Jacob Jenkins (TE, #84): 1 REC, 9 YDS, 9.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 9.
Reese Smith (WR, #6): 1 REC, 1 YD, 1.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 1; 4 PR, 4 YDS, 1.0 AVG, long 6.

Liberty converted 4/10 third downs in the first half (40.0%) and went 3/5 with runners in scoring position, leveraging 16 points off 2 UTEP turnovers. Their 1/1 extra-point shooting and Billingsley’s 4/5 FGs (80.0%, long 50) padded the lead.

Liberty Flames: Defensive Standouts

The Flames forced 2 turnovers (2 INTs), recorded 3 sacks, 8 TFLs, and 3 pass deflections, holding UTEP to 167 yards and 2.2 YPC rushing. They limited the Miners to 3/15 third downs (20.0%) and 1/2 fourth downs (50.0%).

Joseph Carter (LB, #2): 11 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, +10. Carter’s sideline stop on Locklear’s scramble forced a punt.
A’Khori Jones (DL, #29): 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 1.5 TFL. Jones’ sack on Locklear in Q2 led to a three-and-out.
Bryce Dixon (DL, #99): 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL.
Joe Strickland (LB, #44): 1 tackle (1 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL. Strickland’s strip sack on Nelson was recovered by UTEP.
Jiquavious Marshall (CB, #16): 1 INT, 70 YDS returned, 0 TD. Marshall’s 70-yard pick in Q3 set up Billingsley’s FG.
Eldric Griffin (CB, #3): 1 INT, 0 YDS, 0 TD. Griffin’s pick with 2:37 left sealed the game.

Liberty Flames: Special Teams

Jay Billingsley (K, #43): 4/5 FG (80.0%, long 50), 1/1 XP, 13 PTS. Billingsley’s 50-yarder in Q2 was a career long.
Max Morgan (P, #37): 4 punts, 196 YDS, 49.0 AVG, 2 TB, 0 in 20, long 54.

UTEP Miners: Offensive Struggles

UTEP managed 167 yards (111 passing, 56 rushing) on 52 plays, converting 3/15 third downs (20.0%) and 1/2 fourth downs (50.0%). Locklear’s late TD run was their only score, with two INTs and five sacks allowed (-14 net passing) dooming drives.

Skyler Locklear (QB, #9): 9/17, 90 YDS, 5.3 YPA, 0 TD, 2 INT, 53.5 QBR, 8 CAR, 58 YDS, 1 TD (15-YD), long 15. Locklear’s TD came at 8:20 in Q4, but his picks killed momentum.
Malachi Nelson (QB, #7): 4/10, 21 YDS, 2.1 YPA, 0 TD, 0 INT, 3.1 QBR, 3 CAR, -14 YDS.
Elijah McCoy (RB, #22): 4 CAR, 10 YDS, 2.5 YPC, 0 TD, long 6.
Hahsaun Wilson (RB, #14): 8 CAR, 3 YDS, 0.4 YPC, 0 TD, long 3, 2 REC, 7 YDS.
Kenny Odom (WR, #6): 3 REC, 53 YDS, 17.7 YPC, 0 TD, long 44. Odom’s 44-yard grab in Q3 was UTEP’s longest play.
Josh Schuchts (TE, #89): 3 REC, 18 YDS, 6.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 9.
Wondame Davis Jr. (WR, #23): 2 REC, 16 YDS, 8.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 10.
Judah Ezinwa (TE, #82): 2 REC, 12 YDS, 6.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 10.
Jaylan Brown (WR, #17): 1 REC, 5 YDS, 5.0 YPC, 0 TD, long 5.

UTEP converted 2/10 third downs in the first half (20.0%) and went 1/3 with runners in scoring position, but 2 turnovers led to 16 Liberty points. No FG attempts; 1/1 XP implied.

UTEP Miners: Defensive Efforts

UTEP recorded 1 sack, 6 TFLs, and 4 pass deflections but allowed 403 yards and 19 points. They forced no turnovers and struggled against Liberty’s run (160 YDS, 3.2 YPC).

Jayden Wilson (LB, #10): 16 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, +8. Wilson’s pursuit stopped Blue short on third down.
Neil Campbell (LB, #4): 14 tackles (8 solo), 0 TFL.
Micah Davey (LB, #48): 12 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL.
Lantz Russell (LB, #22): 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL. Russell’s sack on Vasko forced a punt in Q2.

UTEP Miners: Special Teams

Noah Botsford (P, #42): 8 punts, 366 YDS, 45.8 AVG, 0 TB, 3 in 20, long 57.
Eric Willis III (PR/KR, #19): 1 PR, 0 YDS; 1 KR, 23 YDS, 23.0 AVG.
Nik Henry (KR, #13): 1 KR, 2 YDS, 2.0 AVG.

Key Moments

Q1: Vasko’s Keeper (7-0): Vasko’s 14-yard TD run capped a 75-yard drive (7:42 left), with Blue’s 16-yard run key.
Q2: Billingsley’s Boot (13-0): 50-yard FG (4:15) and 33-yard FG (0:45) after UTEP’s failed fourth-down try.
Q3: Flames Surge (19-0): Coleman’s 31-yard catch set up 37-yard FG (11:20); Marshall’s 70-yard INT return led to 27-yard FG (3:45).
Q4: Locklear’s TD (19-8): 15-yard run (8:20) avoided shutout; Griffin’s INT (2:37) sealed it.
Defensive Stand: Liberty’s 3 sacks and 8 TFLs limited UTEP to 2.2 YPC; UTEP’s 1 sack couldn’t stop clock control.

Statistical Notes

Total Yards: Liberty’s 403 vs. UTEP’s 167; Flames’ 7.4 YPA doubled Miners’ 4.1.
Rushing: Liberty’s 50 CAR, 160 YDS (3.2 YPC) vs. UTEP’s 25 CAR, 56 YDS (2.2 YPC).
Turnovers: Liberty 0, UTEP 2 (both INTs); Flames scored 16 points off turnovers.
Time of Possession: Liberty 39:57 vs. UTEP 20:03—longest TOP for Flames since 2023.
Penalties: Liberty 6-57, UTEP 3-40; Miners avoided self-inflicted wounds but couldn’t capitalize.

Series Context

This was the first-ever meeting between Liberty and UTEP in CUSA play. Liberty, in their second year as a full FBS member, improved to 1-1 in conference road games. UTEP fell to 0-2 in CUSA, with their 10 season INTs leading NCAA D1. The Flames’ defense held opponents to 23.2 PPG (65th nationally); UTEP’s offense averaged 20.8 PPG (112th).

Injury Notes

Liberty: No major injuries; full roster available.
UTEP: No new injuries; QB depth tested with Nelson’s relief role.

Conclusion

The Liberty Flames’ 19-8 victory over the UTEP Miners on October 8, 2025, was defined by Ethan Vasko’s dual-threat play (243 PASS YDS, 1 RUSH TD), Vaughn Blue’s 75 rushing yards, and a defense that forced two INTs and three sacks. Jay Billingsley’s four field goals (long 50) overcame red-zone woes, while UTEP’s Skyler Locklear (58 RUSH YDS, 1 TD) and Kenny Odom (53 REC YDS) offered late sparks but couldn’t overcome 167 total yards and two picks. Liberty’s 39:57 possession and zero turnovers secured their first CUSA win, while UTEP’s offensive line struggles (5 sacks allowed) extended their skid to three.

For the full box score and play-by-play, visit ESPN.com, CBS Sports, The Athletic, or NCAA.com.

Liberty Flames Grind Out 19-8 Road Win Over UTEP Miners on October 8, 2025