El Paso, TX (Sports Network) - Randall Joyner tallied 14 tackles and two interceptions to lead the SMU Mustangs in their 17-0 shutout of the Texas-El Paso Miners in a Conference USA bout at the Sun Bowl.

Graham Gilbert completed 22-of-44 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown for SMU (2-4, 1-0 C-USA). Gilbert also threw his 10th interception of the season. Zach Line gained 84 yards on 25 carries, Jeremy Johnson caught eight passes for 76 yards, and Darius Johnson made five grabs for 82 yards and a score as the Mustangs snapped a two-game losing streak.

Nick Lamaison and Carson Meger combined to threw for 178 yards with three interceptions for the Miners (1-5, 0-2). Nathan Jeffery was limited to 67 yards on 20 carries while Jordan Leslie caught seven passes for 80 yards. The loss was the third in a row for UTEP.

The only points of the opening quarter came with 55 seconds left in it as Chase Hover connected on a 19-yard field goal try to put SMU up, 3-0.

The Mustangs added onto their advantage in the second frame when Gilbert completed a 40-yard scoring strike to Darius Johnson with 9:42 left. Hover's converted extra point attempt gave SMU a double-digit lead.

The SMU defense got into the mix as Ja'Gared Davis picked off Lamaison and returned it 30 yards to the house to make it 17-0 with 1:52 to play before the intermission.

Neither side managed to produce points after the break. The Miners turned the ball over on downs on all three of their final possessions. SMU moved the ball with decent success, but failed to add to its lead due to two missed field goals.

This was the second shutout of the season by SMU, as it blanked Stephen F. Austin, 52-0, on Sept. 8.

GAME NOTES:

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