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UTEP at Middle Tennessee State Game Preview

The UTEP Miners end the 2013 football season in Murfeesboro, TN 1:45 MDT Saturday.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 season comes to an end this Saturday as UTEP ends their 2013 schedule with their seventh road game against Middle Tennessee State.  Lets take a look how the teams stack up statistically.

Middle Tennessee State

Current Record: 7-4 overall, 5-2 in C-USA play

Head Coach: Rick Stockstill, 50-48 overall and at MTSU, 8th year

Last Week: W, 42-21 @ So. Miss

Stat leaders

Passing: Logan Kilgore, 178-295-10 1964 yards, 14 TD's

Rushing: Jordan Parker, 138 carries 656 yards 5 TD's; Reggie Whatly 91 carries 622 3 TD's

Receiving: Tavarres Jefferson, 39 catches 496 yards 4 TD's; Marcus Henry, 33 catches 460 yards 2 TD's

Sacks: Leighton Gasque 5.0 sacks

Interceptions: Kevin Byard 5 interceptions

Team Stats:

Total Offense 396.4
Rushing Offense 199.6
Passing Offense 196.7
Scoring Offense 29.4
Total Defense 414.2
Rushing Defense 186.6
Passing Defense 227.5
Scoring Defense 27.3
Turnover Margin +1.1
Offense 3rd Down % 45%
Offense Red Zone % 76%
Defense 3rd Down % 48%

Key Stat: MT's 30 turnovers and 15 fumble recoveries, both are ranked 3rd nationally

The Blue Raiders are in the midst of a four game winning streak. A huge last second win against Marshall sparked the late season run.  While their defensive stats won't tell it, this is a tough defense.  MT has forced 30 turnovers this season, that ranks them 3rd nationally.  They also have four interceptions returned for touchdowns this season, Kevin Byard has 326 interception return yards for his career.  They have also rode an impressive streak of 24 interceptions in their last 16 games as a program.

Logan Kilgore is third in school history is passing yards, though MT has a dynamic duo in the backfield.  Kilgore has struggled at times, though is just a winner and competes hard.  UTEP will have its hands full with the physical offensive line and physical running style.

UTEP Miners

Current Record: 2-9 overall, 1-6 in C-USA play

Head Coach: Sean Kugler, 2-9 overall, 1st year

Last Week: L, 45-3 @ Tulane

Stat Leaders:

Passing: Jameill Showers, 107-88-4 1263 yards 11 TD's (injured)

Rushing: Aaron Jones 155 carries 811 yards 4 TD's

Receiving: Jordan Leslie 42 catches 599 yards 7 TD's

Sacks: James Davidson 4.0 sacks

Interceptions: Dashone Smith 2 interceptions

Team Stats

Total Offense 352.4
Rushing Offense 185.4
Passing Offense 167.0
Scoring Offense 22.2
Total Defense 453.7
Rushing Defense 242.7
Passing Defense 211.0
Scoring Defense 38.5
Turnover Margin -.55
Offense 3rd Down % 40%
Offense Red Zone % 67%
Defense 3rd Down % 44%

Key Stat: 9 losses

UTEP was already thin at running back, and with Autrey Golden being questionable, the Miners have only one left in Nathan Jeffery.  After a nice 33-10 win against FIU, the Miners came out flat and got flattened last week in New Orleans.

No red-shirts will be pulled as Coach Kugler is still finding the pieces for the future on defense. The Miners have been outscored 424-244, and 142-55 in the second quarter.  Which UTEP team will showed up?

MT 45 UTEP 17

Game Info

UTEP Miners at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Sat Nov. 30 1:45 PM MDT Floyd Stadium

Radio: The Fox 9.23-FM

Make sure to stay tuned to MinerRush for more information on all things UTEP sports, and make sure to Follow @sbnminerrush on Twitter for live updates throughout the game. Picks Up, and Go Miners!