MTSU football vs. UTEP: Scouting report, score prediction for Conference USA battle

Middle Tennessee State's football team will continue its Conference USA slate with a game at Texas-El Paso on Saturday (8 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

The Blue Raiders (3-4, 0-3 C-USA) are coming off an open date after a 35-17 loss to Western Kentucky on homecoming, their third loss in a row. the Miners (4-4, 2-2) are coming off a 24-21 win over Florida Atlantic, in which they kicked the game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.

"They have been going since Aug. 1," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said on a much-needed off week after a tough stretch of first-half games. "About 10 weeks they've been going. That's a long time on your body (and) it's a long time mentally with everything else they've got going on in their life. I think it was a good break for them, they came back (Sunday) ready to go."

Here is a scouting report on the conference battle:

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Miners like to pass, but...

UTEP is among conference leaders in pass attempts, but it has gained mixed results.

The Miners are attempting almost 34 passes a game, but completing just over 50% (143-of-274) and have as many interceptions (9) as touchdowns. Tyrin Smith has been the top target, hauling in 46 for 686 yards and four touchdowns.

UTEP starting quarterback Gavin Hardison is 137-of-263 for 1,764 yards, nine TDs and seven picks. The Miners are averaging 145 rushing yards a game, led by Ronald Awatt (112-490, two TDs) and Deion Hankins (97-479-2).

Both strong on special teams

Like MTSU, UTEP has been strong on special teams this season.

Miners senior kicker Gavin Baechle is 15-of-16 in field goal attempts, including 3-of-4 from 40 yards and beyond (54 long). He's 18-of-18 on extra points. He's got 24 touchbacks on 39 kickoffs.

UTEP punter Joshua Sloan is averaging 43.8 yards on 29 punts, including eight inside the 20-yard line.

Punt returner Marcus Bellon has a 47-yard return for a touchdown this season.

MTSU counters with placekicker Zeke Rankin, who is 7-of-7 on field goals (long 35) and 25-of-25 on extra points. Punter Kyle Ulbrich is averaging 45.9 yards on 40 punts, including 14 inside the 20.

MTSU offense vs. UTEP defense

UTEP's defense is allowing 352.6 yards per game, including 157 on the ground (4.5 per carry). Conversely, MTSU enters with a struggling run game, netting just 100 yards per game and 3.2 per carry.

The Miners allow just under 200 yards passing a contest, which has been the Blue Raiders' strength. UTEP opponents are completing just 54% of their passes. MTSU senior QB Chase Cunningham is 178-of-270 for 1,792 yards, 10 TDs and five interceptions.

UTEP's defense is led by senior Jadrian Taylor and sophomore Cal Wallerstedt. Taylor, a 6-1, 246-pound defensive end, leads the team with seven sacks, a 100-yard fumble return for a TD, two forced fumbles and three pass break-ups. Wallerstedt, a 5-10, 223-pound linebacker, has 55 tackles (seven for loss), 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Score prediction

MTSU 31, UTEP 28: Playing on the road against a solid league foe isn't the easiest way to snap a skid, but the Blue Raiders begin a successful second-half stretch of games with a win, thanks to a rejuvenated ground game and opportunistic secondary.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU football: Scouting report for C-USA road game at UTEP