UTEP Miners

UTEP Football Orange & Blue Game Coming to the Sun Bowl on April 12

3/13/2025 1:31:00 PM

EL PASO – The 2025 edition of the UTEP Football Orange & Blue Game is set for Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m. in the Sun Bowl.

Fans can get a sneak peek at this year's Miners, with the Blue Blaze and Orange Swarm back in action.

Tickets are just $5. All ticket sales will support the UTEP Football Gridiron Club. Funds raised through the Gridiron Club are used to complement the annual operating budget for UTEP Football.

"It's the first chance for our fans to take a look at the back-to-back, number one recruiting class in Conference USA," UTEP coach Scotty Walden said. "Not only will some of the members of this year's class be with us for spring ball, but last year's class has now had a year to develop. The other piece is that we've added 38 new mid-year players, so our fans will have the opportunity to get familiar with them."

The Orange & Blue Game will cap UTEP football spring drills and will mark the Miners' 15th opportunity of the spring.

2025 Spring Ball offers plenty of intrigue including a fierce battle at quarterback, where returnees Skyler Locklear, Cade McConnell, J.P. Pickles and Shay Smith will join decorated recruit Malachi Nelson in vying for the starting job.

UTEP will also work five new coaches into the mix this spring, including both the offensive (Mark Cala) and defensive (Bobby Daly) coordinators. Linebackers coach Brandon Butcher, tight ends coach Joshua Eargle and outside wide receivers coach Desmond Lindsey are the other new additions.

The teams for the Orange & Blue Game will be drafted earlier that week and prominent UTEP football alumni, including Will Hernandez from the Arizona Cardinals, will serve as guest coaches. UTEP football alums will also participate in the skills challenge at halftime, helping to score points for their team in the process.

Last year's Orange & Blue Game, the first under Walden, was action-packed and went down to the wire, as McConnell connected with Kenny Odom for a game-winning, 33-yard touchdown as time expired. The Blue squad outlasted the Orange, 39-35.

"If last year's game was any indication, this should be a lot of fun," Walden said. "We'll continue to engage our alumni, and they'll play a huge role in the outcome of the game. Last year, we had a great crowd, and they were treated to a thrilling game that ended on a buzzer-beating Hail Mary. We're expecting another competitive game this year, and it will be exciting for everyone to check out year two and the progress we've made."

Tickets are available now both online (www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets) or by calling (915) 747-UTEP.

Help Support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://givingto.utep.edu/mac today!

For complete coverage of UTEP Football, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPFB (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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