Wyoming Targets UTEP's Struggling Attack Before El Paso Showdown

The University of Texas at El Paso Miners have averaged just 14.1 points per game through nine contests. That figure places them in 138th position among all FBS teams, a statistical dead last that defines their 2026 season. The Miners sit with a 1-8 overall record and a 0-5 mark in Mountain West play. Their offensive struggles extend well beyond the scoreboard. The team has converted only 29 of 112 third-down opportunities, a mark that also ranks 138th. They have allowed 41 sacks and 82 tackles for loss, placing them near the bottom of the nation in both categories.

Raymond Moore III, a sophomore transfer from Morgan State, provides the primary spark for the struggling attack. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound quarterback has rushed for a team-high 522 yards on 77 attempts. His average of nearly seven yards per carry contrasts sharply with the rest of the unit. Moore will start Saturday night’s game, filling in for injured starter EJ Colson Jr. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel identified Moore’s speed in the open field as a key defensive assignment. The Cowboys face a challenge limiting big gains from the Baltimore native.

Moore demonstrated that threat in recent weeks. He rushed for 134 yards on just 11 attempts against New Mexico, including an 86-yard touchdown run inside University Stadium. That performance contributed to a 61-7 victory for the Lobos. Against Texas Southern, the Miners’ only win of the year, Moore carried the ball three times for nearly 100 yards. One of those carries resulted in a 79-yard score. His receiving teammates have offered limited support. Running back Tavorus Jones has 290 rushing yards, while Lamar Sperling has added 137. Wide receiver Jaden Smith leads the passing attack with over 300 yards.

Sawvel stated that his team has reduced its focus on specific opponents since being shut out by North Dakota State. The Cowboys won their last four games, including a 41-35 road victory over UNLV on Saturday. Sawvel emphasized the need for improvement in several areas during Monday’s press conference. He noted that the team is 0-0 for the week, just like their opponents. The goal is to finish the week 1-0 by executing better processes.

The passing game remains a work in progress for both squads. Wyoming averages 141.3 passing yards per game, a figure nearly identical to UTEP’s 140.3. Landon Sims will be crucial in the air if the Cowboys want to improve that number. Tyler Hughes is out with a small fracture in his right forearm. Sawvel said a return timetable is unknown, but he did not rule out the player for the remainder of the season. The Cowboys have three guaranteed games left and likely have a postseason berth in mind.

Penalties and special teams errors also drew attention from Sawvel. In the UNLV game, a false start by right tackle Braylon Jenkins erased a big gain that would have put Wyoming inside the 10-yard line. Special teams unit member Zachary Peyton returned a kick 58 yards early in the game, leading to a UNLV touchdown after missed tackles. Sawvel wants the defense to stop long drives and finish plays more effectively. He cited long drives against Northern Illinois and Hawaii as examples of missed opportunities.

UTEP’s defensive numbers are equally concerning. The Miners allow 399.2 yards per game and 34.3 points per game. They have allowed 55 of 116 third-down conversions to succeed. The team is minus three in turnover margin, forcing 11 takeaways while giving up 14. Head coach Scotty Walden is in his third year, with a 6-26 overall record. The Miners will look to improve their performance against a Wyoming squad that has won four straight games.

The game takes place Saturday night in El Paso. Wyoming enters the contest with a strong defensive showing recently, but Sawvel warned that the process requires getting better at many things. The Miners’ offense is inefficient, yet Moore’s ability to change the field on a single play remains a constant variable. The Cowboys must balance their own offensive development with defensive containment of the quarterback’s running ability.