UTEP Opens Mountain West Play at Rival (RV) New Mexico in 81st Meeting Saturday at 2 p.m.

10/1/2026 3:51:00 PM

NOTES: UTEP | NEW MEXICO | MOUNTAIN WEST

EL PASO – UTEP will play in its first-ever Mountain West contest as it takes on longtime foe (RV) New Mexico in the 81^st meeting on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Lobos are receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Miners (1-3, 0-0 MW) and Lobos (3-1, 0-0 MW) are slated for a 2 p.m. MDT kickoff in University Stadium. UTEP and New Mexico will face each other as conference rivals for the first time in 28 years.

The Miners and Lobos can be heard on the "Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso, while the contest will be streamed on MW+.

The Miners and Lobos will renew their rivalry for the first time in four seasons. Since 1998, UTEP has faced New Mexico 10 times. The Miners are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings. UTEP last played UNM in 2022 at University Stadium, where the Lobos won 27-10.

UTEP is coming off a 33-7 setback against Oregon State on Sept. 26, in the 94^th Homecoming Game. EJ Colson Jr. found Carver Cheeks on a six-yard touchdown pass for the Miners' only points on the night. For Cheeks, it was his third consecutive game with a receiving touchdown, while Colson Jr. has thrown seven touchdown passes this season, ranking among the top three in the MW. Justin Content impressed again on defense, tallying nine tackles. Content has 19 tackles in his last two games.

Jayden Wilson, a standout linebacker from Austin High School, makes his return to New Mexico, where he started his collegiate career. Wilson played in 23 games with four starts during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

"It's a blessing being able to go back there and be where it all started," Wilson said. "Four years later, here I am, and I'm blessed to be [at UTEP] and this team. It's a full 180 moment. I'm just super excited to be in the Orange and Blue and to take on the Lobos."

New Mexico improved to 3-1 on the season after a 42-18 victory over rival NM State on Sept. 26, in Las Cruces. The Lobos opened the campaign with a 38-7 victory over Central Michigan on Sept. 5, and followed with a 70-7 drubbing of Mercyhurst on Sept. 12. UNM came up short at No. 24/21 Oklahoma, 14-6, on Sept. 19, in Norman. The Lobos rank first nationally with a +14 turnover margin, as they have not turned the ball over so far in 2026 and have intercepted an FBS-high nine passes through the first four games. In FBS, UNM ranks 15^th in rushing defense (83.8) and total defense (252.0), eighth in scoring defense (11.5), seventh in tackles for loss (8.3), and 19^th in team sacks (3.0).

"New Mexico doesn't beat themselves," third-year UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said. "I give a ton of credit to [New Mexico's] coaching staff and how hard their kids play. We have a ton of respect for our opponent. They're disciplined; they don't allow explosive plays on defense. Statistically, they're the best defense in the league. They tackle really well in the open field, and they are assignment-sound. They're not necessarily exotic in what they do on either side of the ball; it's just that they do not have critical missed assignments and errors. They are going to make you beat them. That's their biggest attribute; they're not going to mess it up. They will play sound and steady football. They're well coached, their kids play extremely hard, and they've done a great job recruiting. It's definitely going to be a challenge right out of the gate."

UTEP (1-3, 0-0) at New Mexico (3-1, 0-0)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 2 p.m. MDT
Location: Albuquerque, N.M.
Venue: University Stadium (37,440)
X Updated: @UTEPFB

STREAM: MW+
Watch: https://watch.themw.com/utep/
PxP: Robert Portnoy
Analyst: DonTrelle Moore

Radio: 600 ESPN El Paso
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Lobos will be streamed on MW+. The action continues on the "Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN AM El Paso, with "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher calling play-by-play in his 46th season. 'Teich', who called his 500^th game on Oct. 11, 2023, at FIU, is joined in the booth by former UTEP assistant coach Aaron Price for analysis. El Paso native and longtime local media member Mando Medina will report from the sidelines. The contest is also available on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. NEW MEXICO
Saturday's contest will mark the 81^st meeting between the Lobos and Miners. New Mexico leads the all-time series 44-33-3. UNM leads 27-12-1 all-time in Albuquerque. UTEP is making its first trip to Albuquerque since Sept. 17, 2022 – UNM defeated UTEP 27-10 behind seven forced turnovers. UTEP is 5-3 versus New Mexico in the last eight meetings (L, 27-10 in 2022; W, 20-13 in 2021; W, 31-24 in 2014; L, 42-35 [OT] in 2013; W, 38-20 in 2010; W, 10-6 in 2007; L 26-13 in 2006; W, 21-13 in 2005). The Miners last won at UNM on Aug. 30, 2014, 31-24, led by RB Aaron Jones's 237 yards on 22 carries (10.8 avg.) and three touchdowns. The Miners and Lobos first met on Nov. 15, 1919, in El Paso, during a 57-13 UNM victory. The first meeting in Albuquerque took place on Nov. 6, 1920. After starting 0-5 versus the Lobos, the Miners' first victory came on Oct. 24, 1925, 19-2, in El Paso.

CONFERENCE FOES ONCE AGAIN
UTEP and New Mexico last played as conference foes in 1998 as members of the Western Athletic Conference. The Miners defeated the Lobos 22-19 on Oct. 10, 1998, in Albuquerque. UMM owns a 23-8 record against UTEP in 31 meetings as WAC members from 1968 to 1998. The Miners and Lobos were also Border Conference rivals from 1935 to 1951. The Miners were 8-4-2 against the Lobos during that span. Games were not played from 1943-45 (World War II).

ABOUT NEW MEXICO
The Lobos improved to 3-1 after defeating I-25 rival NM State, 42-18, on Sept. 26, in Las Cruces. New Mexico jumped out to a 35-3 following a Kiefer Sibley three-yard touchdown and Grant Glasgow PAT with 2:07 left in the third quarter. UNM gained 253 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, led by Scottre Humphrey's 104 yards and two rushing scores. Sibley rushed for 63 yards, followed by Toa Fa'avae's 57. James Laubstein added two rushing TDs. Bailen George led UNM with 102 yards on three receptions, including a long catch of 68 yards. Bret Karhu hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Fa'avae, who finished 10-of-17 for 177 yards. The Lobos' defense has been a menace so far in 2026, ranking first nationally with 14 forced turnovers, while also being the national leaders with nine interceptions and five fumble recoveries. UNM, which hasn't committed a turnover, leads the nation in turnover margin (+14). New Mexico's run defense is 15^th in FBS (83.8 ypg allowed), its scoring defense (11.5 ppg) ranks eighth in FBS, and its total defense (252.0 ypg) is 15^th. Humphrey ranks fifth in MW with 285 rushing yards and is tied for the conference lead with five rushing touchdowns. UNM ranks second in MW, averaging 203.5 yards per contest and leads the league with 15 rushing touchdowns. Tight end Cade Keith ranks 10^th in MW with 169 yards on 10 receptions and a TD. Senior linebacker Jaxton Eck leads the Lobos with 20 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss. Safety Tavian Combs is tied for second in FBS with a team-high three interceptions.

THE LAST MEETING
New Mexico defeated UTEP 27-10 on Sept. 17, 2022, at University Stadium. The Lobos built a 20-3 halftime lead and kept the Miners out of the end zone until late in the game. K Gavin Baechle hit a 46-yard field goal late in the first quarter, and RB Deion Hankins scored on a one-yard plunge that got the Miners within 10 points (20-10) with 4:41 left in the game. UTEP committed seven turnovers. WR Tyrin Smith had a big night, racking up a career-high 183 yards on eight receptions, including a career-long 76-yard catch. Smith, however, was stripped of the ball at the one-yard line. Down 20-3, Smith hauled in a catch and sprinted 76 yards, but A.J. Haulcy forced Smith to fumble on the Miners' opening drive to start the second half. LB Tyrice Knight amassed 14 tackles with 2.0 TFL and a forced fumble. S Kobe Hylton posted 10 tackles, and DB Ty'Reke James intercepted a pass. The Miners threw for 299 yards and yielded 299 total yards on defense.

WILSON'S RETURN TO THE ABQ
LB Jayden Wilson started his collegiate career at New Mexico, playing two seasons (2023-2024) for the Lobos. The El Paso native and Austin High School graduate played in 23 games (four starts in 2024), totaling 43 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Wilson's career-high at UNM was 10 tackles against Washington State in 2024. Wilson was the 2022 Defensive MVP and earned first team All-City at linebacker and first team All-City at running back while at Austin HS. Wilson impressed his first season at UTEP, racking up 92 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, an interception, and three forced fumbles in 2025. Wilson has 19 tackles and 1.5 TFL in 2026 in four starts.

SEASON HIGHS FOR EJ
QB EJ Colson Jr. recorded season highs in pass attempts (23) and completions (16) against Oregon State. Colson Jr.'s career highs are 35 completions and 46 attempts, done in the same game against SFA on Oct. 4, 2025.

COLSON'S RANKINGS
EJ Colson Jr. ranks tied for second in the Mountain West and is tied for 39^th in FBS with seven touchdown passes. Colson Jr. is eighth in passing yards (496) and third in completion percentage (66.2).

UTEP HIGHS FOR JADEN
WR Jaden Smith set UTEP career-highs in receptions (eight), receiving yards (62) and all-purpose yards (67). It's Smith's most receptions in a game since tallying nine at Central Arkansas on Nov. 11, 2023, and his most receiving yards since gaining 75 on Nov. 18, 2023, while playing at EKU. His previous best at UTEP was seven catches at Liberty on Sept. 14, 2024, and 56 yards against Southern Utah on Sept. 7, 2024.

CARVER KEEPS FINDING THE END ZONE
WR Carver Cheeks hauled in a six-yard touchdown against Oregon State, making his third straight game with a receiving touchdown. Cheeks started the streak against Texas Southern with a 13-yard touchdown, his first as a Miner. Cheeks found the end zone again, this time on a 45-yard catch-and-run on third-and-1 at No. 19 Michigan. The last Miner to tally touchdown receptions in three consecutive games was WR Kelly Akharaiyi in 2023. Akharaiyi recorded a touchdown at Sam Houston (10/25), one against WKU (11/4) and two more at Middle Tennessee (11/18).

TOUCHDOWNS IN 3 STRAIGHT GAMES
It's the first time in Carver Cheeks's career that he's tallied a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games. It's the second time in his career scoring a TD in three straight games, as he recorded six touchdowns in a four-game span while playing at Northern Colorado in 2025. Cheeks caught touchdowns at Houston Christian (9/20) and against Idaho State (9/27), rushed for a 13-yard score at Idaho (10/11), and concluded the streak with a three-TD performance on nine receptions for 223 yards at Sacramento State (10/18).

CARVING UP DBS
Carver Cheeks ranks tied for first in the Mountain West with three receiving touchdowns. He ranks tied for 39^thnationally. Cheeks leads the Miners with 143 yards on 10 receptions (second on team).

MCCOY'S BIG RUN
RB Elijah McCoy recorded a career-long 21-yard run and rushed for a career-high 25 yards against Oregon State. McCoy's previous long rush was 12 yards. McCoy has rushed for 27 yards on four carries in 2026.

HUNT AND MOORE RECORD FIRST CARRIES
RB Chris Hunter had two carries for six yards, and RB Jaden Moore rushed for seven yards on three attempts against Oregon State.

BLUE BLAZE PLAYS
UTEP is the only team in the Mountain West to record an 80+ yard play from scrimmage. The Miners are tied first with Nevada on plays of 70+ yards, and tied first with Nevada and New Mexico on plays of 60+ yards. UTEP is tied for second with three 50+ yard plays.

19 TACKLES IN TWO GAMES
CB Justin Content tallied nine more tackles against Oregon State after posting a season-high 10 tackles at No. 19 Michigan. Content's 19 tackles are the most in his career in a two-game span.

MORE ON CONTENT
Justin Content is second on the team with 23 tackles (12 solo) and ranks tied for 21^st in the Mountain West. Content has the second-most tackles among Mountain West cornerbacks. San Jose State's Caleb Womack leads all MW CB's with 31 tackles.

UTEP LEADING TACKLER
S Xavier Smith leads the team with 27 tackles (13 solo) and ranks tied for 13^th in the Mountain West. Smith has added a 0.5 TFL and one pass breakup. Smith recently set his career high with 11 tackles at No. 19 Michigan. Smith had six stops and a breakup against Oregon State.

FIRST INTERCEPTION AS A MINER
CB Kaleb Miles recorded an interception against Oregon State, his first in a UTEP uniform. Miles now has three INTs in his collegiate career after two while playing at East Texas A&M in 2025.

ORYEND'S FIRST START
DL Oryend Fisher chalked up his first career start with a season-high three tackles and recorded his first career pass breakup. Fisher has tallied seven tackles in 2026.

DECORIAN'S BREAKOUT GAME
CB Decorian Thompson had a career-best five tackles and recorded his first pass breakup against Oregon State. The true freshman has recorded 11 tackles (five solo) and a fumble recovery.

JERSEY PATCHES - GECU & IBEW
UTEP is the first school in the Mountain West with two jersey patches for football. On Aug. 17, UTEP Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Senter announced GECU as UTEP's inaugural jersey-patch partner. On Aug. 31, Senter announced The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) as the second jersey patch partner.

MW+ INFORMATION
MW+ will be the exclusive streaming platform for live events across all 21 Mountain West sponsored sports not distributed on national linear television. Miner Nation can watch all its teams all season long, including matchups you won't find anywhere else. Exclusive access will be available with mic'd-up moments, behind-the-scenes, and original content. It'll be the one destination for everything Mountain West.
SIGN UP AT: https://watch.themw.com/utep/

UP NEXT
UTEP will host its first Mountain West game when Nevada comes to the Sun Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Miners and Wolfpack will kick off at 5 p.m. MDT and will be nationally televised on FS1. The game sponsor for the Mountain West Celebration game is IBEW and the first 20,000 fans will receive a Commemorative MW Coin. Tickets are available starting at $20 by visiting www.utepminers.com/tickets, calling 915.747.UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, or by visiting the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office (500 W. University Ave., 79968).

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.

Print Friendly Version