UTEP Football Set to Host 2025 Orange & Blue Spring Game April 12 in Sun Bowl Stadium at 11 a.m.

4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM

GAME ROSTER

EL PASO – Miner fans will get a glimpse into year two of fearless, fast and physical football as the 2025 Orange & Blue Spring Football Game is set for Saturday. The Miners will kick off at 11 a.m. MDT in the Sun Bowl.

Admission to the Orange & Blue Game is $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. UTEP Students get in free.

Tickets to the Orange & Blue Game are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or by calling (915) 747-UTEP.

The game will be broadcast on "The Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso with "The Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher (play-by-play) and former UTEP wide receiver Cole Freytag (color analysis) calling the action.

"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."

Highlighting Team Orange on the offense are quarterbacks Shay Smith and Malachi Nelson. El Paso product Miles McWhorter, Kenny Odom and Ashton Nickelberry are a few of the wide receivers. 915 natives Ivan Escobar and Joseph Immediato, and Brennan Smith will anchor the offensive line. KD Johnson, Lantz Russell, Justin Content and Stratton Shufelt are a few of the returnees playing on the defensive side of the ball.

For the Team Blue, quarterbacks Skyler Locklear and JP Pickles will take snaps under center. Kam Thomas will see action at Miner Back, while Ashten Emory will highlight the backfield. Local product Tyrone D. McDuffie III along with Jaquan Toney and Azizi Henry will hold down the o-line. Marcus Torres, another local player, will see action at wide receiver. Transfer from UNM and local player Jayden Wilson along with another local player Jaime Guerrero will see action on the defensive side of the ball. Transfers Micah Davey and Terez Reid will look to impress on defense.

NFL veterans Quintin Demps (Blue Team) and Will Hernandez (Orange Team) will serve as head coaches.

UTEP's third all-time leading rusher, Howard Jackson (Blue Team), and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson (Orange Team) will serve as associate head coaches.

Twenty-six other former UTEP football players will roam the sidelines for their respective squads.

For Team Orange, Mike Amdall (2012-2013), Austin Contreras (2008-2010), Boddy Deharo (2018-2021), Derek Elmendorff (2014-2017), Kavika Johnson (2015-2019), Julio Lopez (2010-2011), Ruben Munoz (2010-2012), Josh Ortega (2017-2021), Roy Robertson-Harris (2012-2015), Daniel Robinson (2004, 2006), Justin Rogers (2016-2019), Paul Smith (1996-1999), Jadrian Taylor (2020-2022) and Nick Usher (2013-2016) will serve as guest coaches.

Guest coaches for Team Blue are Adam Ayala (2010-2013), Cornelis Brown (2006-2009), Devin Cockrell (2013-2014, 2016-2017), Kalaii Griffin II (2017-2019), AJ Hotchkins (2018), Ty'Reke James (2020-2022), Travaun Nixon (2010-2011, Bernard Obi (2008-2011), Kevin Perry (2010-2013), Germard Reed (2010-2013), Trevor Vittatoe (2007-2010) and Jerel Watkins (2011-2014).

The guest coaches will also participate in a series of mini-halftime competitions to score their team points.

Last year's Orange & Blue Game, the first under Walden, was action-packed and went down to the wire, as Cade 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."

Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club.
Visit 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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