UTEP beats UTSA 52-49 in 5 OTs
Before UTEP vs. UTSA kicked off Saturday night, there had only been seven games in FBS history to last at least five overtimes, and only three ended in five OTs.
UTEP outlasted UTSA 52-49 with a game-ending touchdown pass from Ryan Metz to Warren Redix in front of 23,633 fans at the Alamodome -- and the matchup became the eighth game in history with at least five overtimes and the fourth to end in five.
Ryan Metz delivered in his first game as the unquestioned starter with 211 yards and three touchdowns, Aaron Jones ran for 113 yards with a touchdown -- catching two touchdowns off 56 yards receiving -- Hayden Plinke delivered big plays with 84 yards receiving, and Walter Dawn showcased his promising future with two rushing TDs on 38 rushing yards and a 74-yard receiving TD.
Regulation was a series of two-touchdown segments for both teams.
The game’s start looked like a continuation of the struggles that UTEP has experienced this season with UTSA getting out to a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter.
The Miners’ response showed that maybe the bye week allowed UTEP a reboot and successful reevaluation, tying the game at 14-14 after two consecutive touchdowns of their own -- including a 41-yard Aaron Jones TD run -- with 6:54 to play in the half.
The Roadrunners then scored another 14 straight: one TD with five seconds left in the half and the next coming on the second half’s opening drive.
Down by two touchdowns again -- 28-14 -- Aaron Jones catalyzed another UTEP comeback by catching a 27-yard touchdown from Ryan Metz. Walter Dawn then caught a 74-yard TD from Kavika Johnson -- after a crossfield lateral pass from Ryan Metz -- to tie the game at 28 with 1:11 in the 3rd quarter.
The teams’ defenses stepped up to keep each other scoreless through the final 16 minutes of regulation, and overtime began still tied at 28.
OT 1: a field goal by both teams.
OT 2: a 25-yard touchdown pass by both teams.
OT 3: UTSA completed a 9-yard pass and converted its forced two-point conversion to go up 46-38. UTEP responded with a 12-yard run by Walter Dawn and converted its own two-point conversion to Hayden Plinke.
OT 4: The Miners drove down to the UTSA 2 yard line and fumbled the ball away -- giving UTSA the opportunity to win with a FG. The Miners then held the Roadrunners without a yard on their drive, and UTSA missed the potential game-winning score.
OT 5: UTEP again held UTSA to a three-and-out FG attempt for a 49-46 Roadrunner lead. With new life, the Miners drive down to the UTSA 6 yard line -- and Ryan Metz found Warren Redix for the game-winning touchdown.
UTEP will now welcome Old Dominion to the Sun Bowl on Oct. 29 as the Miners try to begin a winning streak.