When you look at the schedule for Conference USA, the matchup between UTEP vs Kennesaw St might not jump out at you like a Power 4 showdown. It doesn’t have the century-long history of a Red River Rivalry or the glitz of an SEC Saturday. But honestly? If you’re a fan of chaos, grit, and the pure "anything can happen" energy of midweek college football, this game has become a sleeper hit.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons turned this into a legitimate battle for identity. You've got Kennesaw State, the new kids on the block, trying to prove they belong in the FBS. Then you have UTEP, a program with deep roots in El Paso that's been fighting through a massive rebuild under Scotty Walden.
The 2024 Shootout: A Sun Bowl Classic
Most people remember the 2024 meeting for one reason: it was absolute madness. Kennesaw State was in its inaugural FBS season, and they weren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard—until they hit the Sun Bowl on November 9, 2024.
UTEP won that game 43-35, but the score barely tells the story. It took two overtimes to settle things. Kennesaw State’s Qua Ashley opened the game with a 97-yard kickoff return that basically silenced the crowd before they could even sit down. It felt like the Owls were going to snag a rare road win.
But Skyler Locklear had other plans.
Locklear put up a career-best performance, going 28-for-33 for 327 yards and four touchdowns. The connection with Kenny Odom was lethal. Odom caught two touchdowns in the extra periods alone. It was a "send-off" game for the seniors that actually lived up to the hype. Kennesaw State’s Davis Bryson played his heart out too, rushing for 70 yards and a score, but the Owls just couldn't get the stop they needed when it mattered most.
The 2025 Revenge: Kennesaw State Flips the Script
Fast forward to October 28, 2025. Different year, different story. This time, the game was in Georgia, and the Owls were no longer the "happy to be here" newcomers. They were 5-2 coming into the game and hunting for bowl eligibility.
Kennesaw State ground out a 33-20 win that was much more physical than the previous year's track meet.
Chase Belcher was the hammer. He ran for 113 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown with just over a minute left to ice the game. What’s crazy is that Kennesaw State didn’t even score an offensive touchdown until late in the third quarter. Their first 16 points came from:
- A 24-yard fumble return by Caleb Offord.
- A 57-yard punt return by Gabriel Benyard.
- A safety.
It was a clinic in "complementary football." UTEP actually led 20-16 in the third quarter thanks to a gritty effort from Locklear, who was carrying the ball 23 times because his receivers were struggling to get open. But a pair of 15-yard penalties on UTEP during the final Kennesaw drive basically handed the Owls the win.
Why This Matchup Matters for CUSA
Basically, UTEP vs Kennesaw St has become a barometer for the middle of Conference USA.
Kennesaw State’s transition from the FCS to the FBS is one of the more fascinating storylines in the South. They went from a 2-10 "learning year" in 2024 to being bowl-eligible and competing for a conference title in 2025 under the guidance of Jerry Mack. That kind of jump usually takes programs four or five years.
On the flip side, UTEP is trying to find consistency. Scotty Walden brought a high-energy "Blue Collar" culture to El Paso, and while they’ve shown flashes of brilliance—like that 42-35 win over New Mexico State in the Battle of I-10—they’ve struggled with the "finishing" aspect.
Key Stats to Remember
If you're looking at the betting lines or just trying to sound smart at the sports bar, keep these trends in mind:
- The Over/Under Trap: In 2024, they blew the doors off with 78 total points. In 2025, they stayed much tighter. The venue matters—the Sun Bowl tends to produce more air-it-out games, while Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw has seen more defensive struggles.
- Third Down Woes: In both recent meetings, the team that won the "hidden yardage" (penalties and special teams) took the game. UTEP’s penalties in 2025 were a direct cause of their loss.
- The Locklear Factor: Skyler Locklear has been a constant. Whether he's throwing for 300+ or rushing for 70+, the Miners' offense lives and dies by his ability to make plays out of nothing.
What to Watch For Next Time
Next time these two meet, look at the trenches. Kennesaw State has built a massive offensive line that prioritizes the run game, which is a nightmare for a UTEP defense that can sometimes be undersized.
Also, watch the coaching battle. Jerry Mack has proven he can adjust on the fly, while Walden is known for aggressive play-calling. It’s a clash of styles that usually results in a close game.
If you want to track the future of these programs, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both teams have been active in snagging "Group of 5" talent from larger schools, and those one-year rentals often decide these tight conference matchups.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Injury Report Early: Specifically look at UTEP's secondary. If they are thin, Kennesaw has shown they will take deep shots, as seen with Amari Odom's 66-yard bomb in 2025.
- Home Field Advantage is Real: The travel from El Paso to Kennesaw, Georgia is a grueling 1,600-mile trip. It’s one of the longest treks in the conference, and it clearly impacted UTEP's energy levels in the fourth quarter of the 2025 game.
- Betting Trends: Kennesaw State has been remarkably good at covering the spread at home against conference opponents during their 2025 run.
The rivalry is young, but the bad blood is starting to simmer. Between the overtime heartbreaks and the special teams touchdowns, UTEP vs Kennesaw St is officially a game you can't ignore if you care about the landscape of CUSA football.
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Next Steps: Track the Conference USA standings to see how these results impact bowl seeding, and keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting classes for both schools to see who is winning the talent war in the Southeast vs. the Southwest.