EL PASO — Roles reversed Saturday night in the 99th Edition of The Battle of I-10, a 20-13 UTEP victory over New Mexico State in the Sun Bowl.
Norman, Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Gavin Frakes, who had only seen action relieving starter Diego Pavia in season opening losses to Nevada and Minnesota, got the first start of his young New Mexico State collegiate career. After going just 1-of-5 passing in a listless quarter-and-a-half of offensive football, it would be Pavia entering to rally the troops.
Pavia, a junior New Mexico Military transfer and Volcano Vista alumnus ran for two second-half touchdowns — and was hit and stripped in his try for a game tying third, UTEP’s Cal Wallerstedt recovering the fumble at his own 14 with just 3 seconds in front of 23,325 hostiles at The Sun Bowl.