Hawai'i vs. UTEP Recap: Alejado Clears 250, UTEP Held Under 21.5

Hawai'i beat UTEP 17-14 in El Paso, holding on after the Miners closed the gap late. Micah Alejado hit Titan Lacaden for a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Hawai'i led 10-7 at the half. Sitani Mikaele's 6-yard run made it 17-7 early in the fourth, and Raymond Moore III's 15-yard touchdown pass to Judah Ezinwa with 6:57 left was the last score of the night. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Micah Alejado 250+ passing yards (-230 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Alejado had thrown for 250 or more in most of his starts this season, with games of 346 and 341, and UTEP had been allowing points all year.
• What happened: Alejado completed 26 of 40 passes for 303 yards with a touchdown and an interception, clearing the rung by 53.5. Lacaden caught 11 passes for 109 yards and Audric Harris added 101 on 4 catches.
• Worth watching: Forty attempts is the volume this prop needs. As long as Hawai'i keeps throwing this often, Alejado's passing yardage stays worth a look at a low rung.

ALT: UTEP under 21.5 points (-180 FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: UTEP had not scored more than 17 points against an FBS opponent all season. Its only 20-point game came against an FCS team.
• What happened: UTEP finished with 14, 7.5 under the line. The Miners scored once in each half, a Lamar Sperling 5-yard run and the late Ezinwa touchdown.
• Worth watching: UTEP threw for just 109 yards, with Moore completing 9 of 18 passes. Until the passing game opens up, UTEP team total unders stay on the radar.

How the game played out

Hawai'i controlled the ball for 36:35 and outgained UTEP 424 to 288. The Rainbow Warriors converted 8-15 on third down, while UTEP managed just 2-10. UTEP's run game held its own with 179 yards, led by Sperling's 63 on 11 carries, but Hawai'i committed two turnovers to UTEP's one and still kept the Miners from getting closer than three.

Trends to watch

• Titan Lacaden was Alejado's top receiver with 11 catches. His receptions and yardage props deserve a look in a pass-heavy offense.
• UTEP's offense moved the ball on the ground but not through the air. Low team-total lines on the Miners remain a fair angle.
• Hawai'i's backfield split work between Cam Barfield (15 carries) and DeVon Rice (10). That makes individual rushing props harder to back.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn about team totals and alt lines. More at /cfb.