OCTOBER 21 • TENNESSEAN.COM
Why Vanderbilt football's Cade McConnell deleted X app after viral blocking video vs LSU Cade McConnell deleted the X app after a video of him blocking in Vanderbilt football's win over LSU went viral.
Healthy, in competition for QB1 McConnell (wrist) is in contention to be UTEP's starting quarterback, Zay Galindo of KROD.com reports.
Impact Healthy for UTEP's fall camp, McConnell is looking to establish himself as a starting quarterback again. However, he is looking like an unpreferred candidate, with multiple of his QB contemporaries (including Skyler Locklear and Malachi Nelson) more likely to win out.
AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out in spring McConnell (wrist) is out for spring ball and his return remains uncertain, according to Bret Bloomqvist of El Paso Times.
Impact McConnell has been sidelined due to wrist surgery, so Skyler Locklear has been the No. 1 option at quarterback. McConnell is working his way back from the injury, though, and he should be able to return closer to the start of the regular season.
MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE
Likely out for 2024 McConnell is likely out for the remainder of the 2024 season with a wrist injury, Bea Martinez of KVIA ABC 7 News reports.
Impact MCConnell isn't certain to miss the rest of the season, but it sounds as if that's the most likely fate for UTEP's starting quarterback. He tossed for 540 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions this season across four games. In his stead, Skyler Locklear should take over as QB1 in El Paso.
OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Out against FIU McConnell (undisclosed) was ruled out prior to Wednesday's game against Florida International, per Adrian Broaddus of ESPN.
Impact McConnell was seen in street clothes and ruled out of Wednesday's game in the hours before kickoff with fellow quarterback Skyler Locklear making the start agaisnt the Panthers. Wednesday marked McConnell's first missed game of the season, with the redshirt junior quarterback throwing for 540 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions through the team's first six games this season, though he didn't make his first start for the Miners until their Week 4 matchup against Colorado State. Next Tuesday's game against Louisiana Tech will be his next opportunity to return.
OCTOBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
GTD vs. Florida International McConnell (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for UTEP's Wednesday night clash with Florida International, Adrian Broaddus of ESPN El Paso reports.
Impact McConnell was pulled from the Miners' blowout loss at the hands of Western Kentucky, and now it appears it was due to an injury. The severity is unclear, but if McConnell can't go, Skyler Locklear would be in line to start at quarterback come Wednesday night.
OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Probably out as starting QB again McConnell went 3-for-7 for 96 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against WKU on Thursday.
Impact McConnell had taken over for Skyler Locklear as the starting quarterback, but he was pulled quite early from this game. Granted, it was a blowout, but it does seem like Locklear may get the starting gig back again. He's the one who was recruited by UTEP head coach Scotty Walden, after all.
OCTOBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Doesn't surge into starting role McConnell went 15-for-28 for 204 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Sam Houston on Thursday. He also lost a fumble.
Impact McConnell, who started late last season for the Miners, lost his gig when new head coach Scotty Walden opted for his own recruit Skyler Locklear. Locklear didn't cut it, and McConnell played well in relief last time around, so he got the start here. It was not a remarkable day, and it is a concern that he's already fumbled three times this season.
OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Promoted to starting role McConnell has been named the starter for Thursday's game against Sam Houston, Adrian Broaddus of 600 ESPN El Paso reports.
Impact The redshirt junior looked impressive against Colorado State after throwing two touchdown passes in relief, and he looks poised to recover the starting role over Skyler Locklear. McConnell was a starter in the second half of the 2023 season as well, though he only completed 53.5 percent of his passes while posting a less-than-inspiring 6:4 TD:INT across seven appearances.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Throws two TDs in relief McConnell replaced a struggling Skyler Locklear against Colorado State on Saturday. He went 19-for-29 for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Impact It's understandable why Scotty Walden gave Locklear, one of his recruits at Austin Peay, the first shot with UTEP. However, Locklear had never started at the FCS level, much less the FBS level. McConnell was UTEP's starter the second half of last season, and he seems primed to step back into that role, either now or later.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Opens season in backup role McConnell will open the 2024 season as the backup quarterback for UTEP, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.
Impact McConnell was competing with Skyler Locklear for the starting quarterback role, but McConnell, a JUCO transfer who redshirted at UTEP in 2023, lost the battle. Locklear will be the starter at Nebraska on Saturday.
AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Throws two TDs, INT McConnell went 24-for-41 for 364 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against MTSU on Saturday. He also lost a fumble.
Impact This is the most McConnell has been able to air it out. While injuries thrust the redshirt sophomore into the starting role, it's possible he will be in line to have the gig when the 2024 season begins.
NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throws TD, INT once again McConnell went 14-for-24 for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against WKU on Saturday.
Impact The Miners might let McConnell play out the stretch, and why not? He's a redshirt sophomore, UTEP can't make a bowl, and there are only two games left. The team should see if he can be the guy for 2024.
NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throws TD, INT McConnell went 12-for-22 for 206 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Sam Houston on Wednesday. He also ran four times for 15 yards.
Impact McConnell made his third start in a row, rising from third stringer to starter due to injuries. Like Gavin Hardison (arm), his job is effectively to stay out of the way and not blow it. That helped the Miners win here, but fantasy players are never going to be enthused with McConnell.
OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starting again Wednesday McConnell will start Wednesday at Sam Houston, national college football writer Brett McMurphy reports.
Impact McConnell will start his third consecutive game Wednesday with Gavin Hardison (arm) and Jake McNamara (concussion) both unavailable yet again. McConnell did not play well last week versus New Mexico State as he completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 179 yards and ran six times for negative 21 yards.
OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Barely makes an impact in start McConnell went 15-for-32 for 179 yards against NMSU on Wednesday.
Impact McConnell did fine in his first start for the Miners with Gavin Hardison (undisclosed) and Jake McNamara (concussion) out, but this time, he was almost invisible. Completing less than half of your passes against NMSU and contributing no touchdowns is not going to keep McConnell in the job long.
OCTOBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
