On Saturday, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats visit the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas to play the UTEP Miners. Bethune-Cookman did not play during 2020 due to the covid pandemic. The Wildcats join the SWAC this season and have quarterback Shannon Patrick penciled in as the starter. LaDerrien Wilson is one of the key running backs for Bethune-Cookman and will join Que’Shaun Byrd in the Wildcats' backfield. Tight end Taron Mallard is the top receiver returning from 2019
Defensively, linebacker Untareo Johnson is the leader and in 2019 was the leading tackler for Bethune-Cookman with 54. However, the Wildcats will have only five starters back from their 2019 defensive unit and will face a tough challenge against a UTEP squad that scored 30 points in its season opener on Saturday.
The UTEP Miners opened their 2021 college football regular season with a dominant 30-3 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies. Jacob Cowing caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Hardison, while Ronald Awatt and Deion Hankins each rushed for touchdowns. Gavin Baechle was 3-for-3 in field-goal attempts with the longest 35 yards. The Miners defense held the Aggies to 101 yards rushing and 89 yards receiving.
UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison has passed for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The leading rusher for UTEP is Ronald Awatt with 74 yards, one touchdown and a 6.7 yards per carry average. The leading receiver is Jacob Cowing with 158 yards and one touchdown reception. Dy’vonne Inyang is the leading tackler with 10.
