MWC matchup features North Dakota State against UTEP

UTEP (1-6) at North Dakota State (6-2), Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Opening Line: North Dakota State by 25. Against the spread: North Dakota State 3-4-1, UTEP 1-6.

How to watch: MW+

Key stats

North Dakota State Offense

Overall: 348.1 yards per game (104th in FBS)

Passing: 188.6 yards per game (110th)

Rushing: 159.5 yards per game (64th)

Scoring: 27.8 points per game (77th)

North Dakota State Defense

Overall: 250.1 yards per game (2nd in FBS)

Passing: 128.6 yards per game (2nd)

Rushing: 121.5 yards per game (41st)

Scoring: 12.5 points per game (3rd)

UTEP Offense

Overall: 286.3 yards per game (136th in FBS)

Passing: 151.9 yards per game (132nd)

Rushing: 134.4 yards per game (103rd)

Scoring: 15.1 points per game (135th)

UTEP Defense

Overall: 398.3 yards per game (111th in FBS)

Passing: 204.9 yards per game (58th)

Rushing: 193.4 yards per game (124th)

Scoring: 37.3 points per game (134th)

UTEP ranks 130th in defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert 48.3% of the time. North Dakota State ranks 70th on offense, converting on 40.2% of third downs.

UTEP is 87th in the FBS with a -2 turnover margin, compared to North Dakota State's 12th-ranked +6 margin.

UTEP is 115th in FBS in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 90.3% of trips. North Dakota State's red zone offense ranks 52nd, scoring on 88.0% of red zone opportunities.

UTEP ranks 92nd in the FBS with an average time of possession of 29:08, compared to North Dakota State's 31st-ranked average of 32:03.

Team leaders

North Dakota State

Passing: Nathan Hayes, 1,470 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INTs, 62.8 completion percentage

Rushing: Myles Mitchell, 388 yards on 91 carries, 3 TDs

Receiving: Jackson Williams, 503 yards on 32 catches, 1 TD

UTEP

Passing: E.J. Colson, 628 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs, 66.3 completion percentage

Rushing: Raymond Moore III, 414 yards on 67 carries, 2 TDs

Receiving: Kam Thomas, 270 yards on 16 catches, 1 TD

Last game

North Dakota State fell to New Mexico 21-16 on Oct. 24. Hayes led North Dakota State with 198 yards on 17-of-33 passing (51.5%) for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Mitchell had 34 rushing yards on 10 carries. Williams recorded 71 yards on four catches.

UTEP fell 24-11 to San Jose State on Oct. 17. Moore passed for 195 yards on 19-of-28 attempts (67.9%) with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 19 times for 55 yards. Tavorus Jones had 62 rushing yards on 14 carries, adding two receptions for 23 yards. Thomas recorded 96 yards on four catches.

Next game

North Dakota State plays at Hawaii on Nov. 14. UTEP hosts Hawaii on Nov. 7.