UTEP Football vs Liberty Football Match Player Stats: A Deep Statistical Breakdown

The UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats offer a window into a compelling Conference USA (CUSA) showdown that pits the UTEP Miners against the Liberty Flames. As of April 9, 2025, their most recent clash on September 14, 2024, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, ended with Liberty securing a 28-10 victory, continuing their dominance in this budding rivalry. This guide dives into the player stats from that game, explores key performances, provides historical context, and offers insights for fans and analysts all optimized to be your ultimate resource for understanding this matchup’s numbers.

The Rivalry: UTEP vs Liberty in Context

The UTEP Miners and Liberty Flames have faced off twice since Liberty joined CUSA in 2023, with the Flames winning both encounters: 42-28 on November 25, 2023, and 28-10 on September 14, 2024. UTEP, a program with a rich history dating back to 1914 and a 1988 Independence Bowl win, struggles to reclaim past glory under new head coach Scotty Walden (0-8 in 2024). Liberty, meanwhile, has soared since transitioning to FBS in 2018, boasting a 15-game regular-season win streak entering 2024 and a Fiesta Bowl appearance in 2023 under coach Jamey Chadwell. The UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats from their latest meeting highlight Liberty’s offensive consistency against UTEP’s scrappy but inconsistent effort.

Game Recap and Key Stats

The September 14, 2024, matchup saw Liberty improve to 3-0 (2-0 CUSA) while UTEP fell to 0-3 (0-1 CUSA). Played before 21,805 fans, the game showcased Liberty’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and UTEP’s defensive resilience despite offensive struggles. Here’s a detailed look at the UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats, sourced from ESPN, LibertyFlames.com, and UTEPMiners.com.

UTEP Miners Player Stats

• Skyler Locklear (QB, Sophomore)

• Stats: 26-43 passing, 244 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 8 rushes, 13 yards
• Highlight: Locklear’s 60-yard TD pass to Kenny Odom in the third quarter cut Liberty’s lead to 14-10, showcasing his arm strength (longest play of the game). His two interceptions—Christian Bodnar’s 43-yard return and Dexter Ricks Jr.’s pick at the UTEP 24—set up Liberty scores.
• Season Context: Averaging 204.5 passing YPG (2024), Locklear’s 60.5% completion rate shines, but his 5 INTs through 8 games signal decision-making woes.
  
  Jevon Jackson (RB, Junior)
• Stats: 16 carries, 53 yards; 1 reception, 5 yards
• Highlight: Jackson’s 2-yard run on 4th-and-1 in the fourth kept a drive alive, though it ended in a failed conversion at Liberty’s 13.
• Season Context: At 3.7 YPC, Jackson’s 413 yards through 8 games show steady but unspectacular output.
  
  Kenny Odom (WR, Sophomore)
• Stats: 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Odom’s 60-yard TD catch was UTEP’s lone offensive score, highlighting his big-play potential.
• Season Context: With 22 catches for 312 yards, Odom leads UTEP receivers at 14.2 yards per catch.
  
  Kam Thomas (WR, Junior)
• Stats: 5 receptions, 41 yards
• Highlight: Thomas’ 12 catches through 3 games (CUSA-leading) faltered here, limited by Liberty’s secondary.
• Season Context: Averaging 10.8 yards per catch, he’s a reliable target.
• Team Totals: 335 total yards (244 passing, 91 rushing), 5-17 third-down conversions (29.4%), 3 turnovers (2 INT, 1 fumble lost), 8 penalties for 64 yards.

Liberty Flames Player Stats

Kaidon Salter (QB, Junior)

• Stats: 14-24 passing, 162 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 11 rushes, 37 yards
• Highlight: Salter’s 13-yard TD pass to Tyson Mobley in the fourth sealed the 28-10 lead, finishing an 87-yard drive. His 8 straight completions late showed poise.
• Season Context: Averaging 185.3 passing YPG and 5.2 rushing YPG, Salter’s dual-threat ability (10 TDs, 2 INTs) drives Liberty.
  Billy Lucas (RB, Senior)
• Stats: 19 carries, 104 yards, 3 TD; 1 reception, 11 yards
• Highlight: Lucas scored on runs of 12, 1, and 2 yards, with his 104 yards pacing Liberty’s ground game after Quinton Cooley’s early injury (28 yards before exiting).
• Season Context: With 512 yards and 8 TDs through 8 games, Lucas thrives at 5.4 YPC.
  
  Tyson Mobley (WR, Junior)
• Stats: 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Mobley’s 13-yard TD catch in the fourth capped a 9-play drive, pushing Liberty’s lead to 18.
• Season Context: At 14.6 yards per catch, Mobley’s 6 TDs rank him among CUSA’s best.
  
  Quinton Cooley (RB, Senior)
• Stats: 2 carries, 28 yards (injured early)
• Highlight: Cooley’s 28-yard run set up Lucas’ first TD before he left in the first quarter.
• Season Context: Pre-injury, Cooley averaged 6.1 YPC (732 yards, 8 TDs), a CUSA standout.
• Team Totals: 331 total yards (162 passing, 169 rushing), 6-13 third-down conversions (46.2%), 2 turnovers (1 fumble lost), 2 interceptions gained, 5 penalties for 35 yards.
  

Game Recap: Stats Tell the Story

The UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats reveal a game of missed opportunities for UTEP and clinical execution by Liberty. UTEP struck first with a 25-yard field goal by Buzz Flabiano (3-0), but Liberty responded with a 10-play, 84-yard drive ending in Lucas’ 12-yard TD (7-3). Two Locklear interceptions in the first half—returned for 43 and 3 yards—set up short fields, with Lucas scoring his second TD (14-3). UTEP’s third-quarter rally came via Odom’s 60-yard TD (14-10), but Liberty answered with Lucas’ third score (21-10). A 14-play, 72-yard UTEP drive in the fourth ended in a failed 4th-down pass at Liberty’s 13, and Salter’s late TD to Mobley sealed it. Liberty’s 46.2% third-down success and 3-4 red-zone TDs outshone UTEP’s 29.4% and 1-3.

Historical Stats: A Growing Gap

Liberty’s 2-0 series lead reflects their edge in UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats. In 2023, Liberty’s Malik Willis threw for 223 yards and 3 TDs, while UTEP’s Gavin Hardison managed 192 yards and 2 TDs in a 42-28 loss. Liberty’s rushing dominance (205 yards vs UTEP’s 135) and turnover margin (+2) echoed in 2024, with Lucas’ 104 yards and UTEP’s 3 turnovers proving decisive. UTEP’s historical strength—e.g., Ronald Awatt’s 138 yards in a 2021 loss to Liberty pre-CUSA—hasn’t translated lately.

Standout Performers: Who Made the Difference

• Billy Lucas (Liberty): His 104 yards and 3 TDs earned him CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors, filling Cooley’s void seamlessly.
• Skyler Locklear (UTEP): Despite 244 yards and a TD, his 2 INTs underscored UTEP’s turnover woes (11 in 2024).
• Kenny Odom (UTEP): His 60-yard TD was a bright spot, hinting at future potential.
• Kaidon Salter (Liberty): His 162 passing and 37 rushing yards, plus no turnovers, kept Liberty steady.

Team Trends and Insights

• Rushing Edge: Liberty’s 169 yards (4.8 YPC) dwarfed UTEP’s 91 (3.0 YPC), a recurring theme.
• Turnovers: UTEP’s 3 giveaways vs Liberty’s 1 lost fumble highlight discipline gaps.
• Red Zone: Liberty’s 3-4 TD rate vs UTEP’s 1-3 shows finishing power.

Season Context

Liberty’s 8-0 start (5-0 CUSA) positions them for another title run, while UTEP’s 0-8 (0-5) reflects a rebuilding year. The UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats underscore Liberty’s depth (8 players with catches) vs UTEP’s reliance on Locklear and Jackson.

What’s Next for

Their next clash, likely September 2025, could shift if:

• UTEP: Locklear (71% completion in prior games) cuts INTs, and Jackson boosts his 3.7 YPC.
• Liberty: Salter (65.8% completion) and a healthy Cooley maintain their dual-threat edge.

How to Use These Stats

• Fantasy/Betting: Lucas (TDs), Salter (yards), and Locklear (passing) are picks; bet Liberty -10 if trends hold.
• Fandom: Catch replays on ESPN+ or stats via Sofascore.

Conclusion

The UTEP football vs Liberty football match player stats from September 14, 2024, reveal Liberty’s 28-10 win as a tale of execution vs missed chances. As of April 9, 2025, at 4:09 AM PDT, Liberty’s Billy Lucas (104 yards, 3 TDs) and Kaidon Salter’s steady hand outmatched UTEP’s Skyler Locklear (244 yards, 2 INTs) and Kenny Odom’s spark (60-yard TD). Sourced from ESPN and team sites, these stats show Liberty’s red-zone prowess and UTEP’s turnover struggles. For fans, this matchup’s numbers—Liberty’s 2-0 series lead intact offer lessons in resilience and precision, promising more thrilling chapters in this CUSA rivalry.

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