The Basics
Score: UTEP 38 – Bethune-Cookman 28
Record: UTEP (2-0, 0-0 C-USA), B-CU (0-1, 0-0 SWAC)
Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)

EL PASO, TX – The Bethune-Cookman University football team's second-half surge fell short as the Wildcats dropped their 2021 season opener to the Miners of the University of Texas El Paso, 38-28, on Saturday evening at Sun Bowl Stadium in front of 14,554 fans.

UTEP got on the board first after they capitalized on a muffed punt by Marcus Riley deep in B-CU territory settling for a 22-yard field goal giving the Miners an early 3-0 lead with 8:13 remaining in the first quarter.

After a stout defensive stand by the Wildcat defense forcing a 4^th down, UTEP elected to go for it and extended their lead to 10-0 when Gavin Hardison connected with tight-end Trent Thompson on a two-yard pass with :39 remaining in the 1^st quarter.

Both defenses held each other in check for the remainder of the first half as the Miners went into the locker rooms with a 10-0 lead.

Bethune-Cookman's defense came up big in the start of the second-half as Toledo transfer Caleb Sutherland blitzed from his safety position recording a sack and forcing a fumble that was returned 20-yards to the UTEP six yardline by Jamarquis Reeves. Two plays later UAPB transfer and starting quarterback Shannon Patrick connected on a four-yard touchdown shovel pass to Riley cutting the Miners lead to 10-7.

UTEP responded on the very next possession as they used a 13-play, 72-yard drive capped off by a one-yard TD run from Calvin Brownholtz extending their lead to 17-7 with 6:35 remaining in the 3^rd quarter.

It didn't take long for B-CU to cut into the lead as they used a six-play, 89-yard drive that took only 3:04 off the clock, when Patrick threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Louisville transfer, Kemari Averett. The drive was helped by a 58-yard pass from Patrick to Riley which put the Wildcats deep in UTEP territory cutting the lead to 17-14.

The Miners responded with 14 unanswered points as Hardison connected on TD passes of six and eight yards extending their lead to 31-14.

Bethune-Cookman would not give up as they got two 4^th quarter touchdown runs from Que'Shuan Byrd and Aaron Thompson. Texas El Paso sandwiched a 22-yard TD run from Ronald Awatt making the final score 38-28.
 
Turning Point
After getting within three points of UTEP (17-14), the Wildcats allowed the Miners to get consecutive touchdowns extending the lead to 31-14.

Individual Leaders
Offensively Bethune-Cookman was led by Patrick who finished the evening 15-of-22 for 215 yeads and two touchdowns passes. Byrd finished just two yards shy from the century mark as he rushed 12 times for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Sutherland led the B-CU defense with 13 tackles (nine solo), a sack and a forced fumble, while senior leader Untareo Johnson chipped in with nine tackles (seven solo) and a pass break-up.

Wildcat punter and Utah transfer Ben Lennon averaged 43 yards per punt while pinning UTEP inside the 20-yardline twice, including a long punt of 61 yards.

> Bethune-Cookman allowed 289 rushing yards which included two 100-yard rushers
> UTEP had 472 total yards to B-CU's 333
> Both teams had 12 penalties each
> The Wildcats were a perfect 4-of-4 in the redzone
> The Miners won the TOP battle 35:34 to Bethune-Cookman's 24:26

Coach Terry Sims Quote
"I thought we made a lot of good plays in all three phases of the game, but we left too many plays on the field. We lost discipline at times and had way too many penalties and
that's something we don't do as a football team."

Quarterback Shannon Patrick Quote
"We haven't played in two years, and I felt like we had some jitters going in. Overall, we just had some mental mistakes, but we came back in the second half and played a lot better putting 28 points on the board. Offensive line played great, we settled down as a unit, got in a zone, and we just kept moving. Personally, it feels great to get back on the field. I've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. To come out here for my senior year and play with these guys it's a great situation I'm really blessing."

Safety Caleb Sutherland Quote
"Playing again was great especially for me. I just transferred from Toledo where I was just playing special teams for the last three years, so it felt great to get this many reps. The coaches put together a great game plan, and as the game went on we got more comfortable and settled in."
 
Next Up
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, Sept. 11 as they travel down the road to Orlando, Fla. to take on the Knights of the University of Central Florida. Kick-Off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.