How they match up: UTEP Miners football at Charlotte 49ers

Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times
·3 min read

The UTEP football team has one huge intangible matchup issue to face on its 1,500-mile trip to play Charlotte.

The Miners are 0-26-1 all time in the Eastern Time zone, including Charlotte's 38-28 victory there in 2020. To break that UTEP will have to be at least a point better than it was in 1949 when it tied at West Virginia. The Miners may have to do this wearing snorkels, as the remnants of Hurricane Ian could be pounding rain on them throughout, not a normal occurrence in Sun Bowl home games.

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UTEP’S Reynaldo Flores celebrates his touchdown in the fourth quarter of their home game against Boise State on Sept. 23, 2022.
UTEP’S Reynaldo Flores celebrates his touchdown in the fourth quarter of their home game against Boise State on Sept. 23, 2022.

The 49ers certainly seem to present an opportunity for the Miners to snap that streake, as Charlotte comes in ranked 131st out of 131 teams in total defense and 130th in scoring defense. The 49ers have been better on offense since the return of sixth-year senior quarterback Chris Reynolds from injury and UTEP's attempts to slow him should dictate who wins.

Here is how UTEP matches up in a game where it is favored by three points.

Quarterback Edge: Charlotte

Reynolds has been a highlight since missing the first two games, completing 68 percent of his passes for 247 yards a game. UTEP's Gavin Hardison is coming off his best game as a Miner against Boise State, when he completed 10-of-11 passes, and will look to build on that.

Running back Edge: UTEP

Charlotte has a small edge in yards per carry, UTEP in yards per game. The Miners are trending the right way after making a statement in the ground game against Boise State. Deion Hankins looked like his old self.

Receivers Edge: Charlotte

The 49ers have a productive trio of pass catchers in Grant Dubose, Victor Tucker and Elijah Spencer, all of whom average more than 50 receiving yards a game. For UTEP, Jeremiah Ballard is starting to emerge as a No. 3 option.

Offensive line Edge: Charlotte

The 49ers have given up fewer sacks and rushed for more yards a carry against a schedule that has included two power conference teams. The Miners, though, are coming off one of the best offensive line games in years against Boise.

Defensive line Edge: UTEP

The Miners' front, a strength of the team, has not put up big numbers, but UTEP is usually led by linebackers in tackles and it allows 1.0 less yards per rush than the 49ers. The Miners are also much better in tackles for loss.

Linebackers Edge: UTEP

Tyrice Knight continues to lead the Miners in tackles while Cal Wallerstedt has been a revelation. Prince Bemah is the second-leading tackler for Charlotte.

Defensive backs Edge: UTEP

The Miners rank 11th nationally in passing yards allowed; Charlotte ranks 127th. UTEP's success in defending the pass with a secondary that has replaced four of its five starters from last year has been a nice storyline for the Miners.

Special teams Edge: UTEP

This is by far the most improved unit of the Miners' team and special teams are starting to make game-breaking plays. Gavin Baechle brings a string of nine consecutive made field goals into this game.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP Miners football at Charlotte 49ers how they match up